Q: As we prepare to install our Christmas lighting, how tall a ladder do we need for a two story home?
A: Every homeowner should have a ladder for cleaning the gutters, Christmas lights, window washing, etc.
Depending on the interior ceiling height in your home (8’, 10’ or higher) the gutter height, where most lights are hung, can be 18’-24’ in the air. You’ll need to measure it to be sure. When positioning the ladder to climb, move the base out 25% of the height from the vertical position for safety. So, if your gutters are 20’ up, the ladder base should be 5’ out from vertical. Also, consider the highest place that you will need to reach, say the gable end peak, when considering the ladder height to buy. Then, watch a YouTube video on ladder safety practices if not familiar with the topic.
