The Long and Short of Buying Telescopic Ladders
28 June 2019The advantages of telescopic ladders are many, but so are the holes you can dig if you get the wrong ones! It adds to the confusion that there are so many options on the market, at so many different price points.
How do you choose the right pair of telescopic ladders, at the right price? What mistakes do you need to avoid?
Cheap is not always Cheerful
Using ladders of any kind carries risk but this can be minimised considerably by using a pair that are well-made and 100% reliable. They need to be stable, robust and fit for purpose.
As with many other types of tools and equipment, buying the cheapest is not always a good idea. It makes sense to be economical when buying the basic items used in DIY or trades work. The same does not apply to things that can put you in danger!
This is especially true of telescopic ladders. You want all the versatility of being able to adjust the height and store them easily. But you don't want an unsafe user experience.
There have been incidents in the past when products that looked adequate have provided prone to metal snaps or malfunctioning locking mechanisms!
Multi-Use and Durability
Going for telescopic ladders that are designed and manufactured well also helps you to avoid another mistake. Paying out for a pair that are too flimsy for more demanding tasks or that don’t stand the test of time.
Investing in well-made and versatile telescopic ladders ensures that can be used in many different locations, for all sorts of jobs, for a long time to come. They may cost a little more up front, but it’s a wise investment if they serve you well.
Safety Certification
How can you be sure that your telescopic ladders are of the required quality, and operate well? That leads to another common mistake; buying telescopic ladders that are not certified.
Injury is far too common in both trades work and DIY. It means that items such as this must conform to certain quality standards, which then earns them accreditation. When buying telescopic ladders for both home and commercial use, always look for quality standard CLASSEN131, which certifies their safety, such as our Telestep.
Use wisely too
Having found a product that comes with the right certification, at a fair price, for what is clearly a durable and reliable telescopic ladder, there’s still one more trap waiting for the unwary. Using telescopic ladders without knowing their proper application or boundaries.
It may seem like common sense, but the way you position, secure and utilise your ladders can make a big difference in how steady and comfortable you will be. And how easily you can carry out all the tasks that telescopic ladders are designed for.
Thoroughly familiarise yourself with the ladder before use and speak to us about how to use telescopic ladders with confidence, minimising risk.
Telescopic ladders are a very handy thing to buy, as long as you avoid those holes; literally and metaphorically speaking.