When we slowly build our homes, various home projects come up that need to be done. And to do these, we often end up with a variety of tools that we use.
Getting high-quality tools for our garage, yards, and homes is one thing; storing them in an organized and efficient manner is entirely another. And sometimes people forget about the storage aspect when getting stuff for their home.
This could be a worrying event, especially if you have something as large as an extension ladder that needs storing.
Fret not, because, in this article, we will present you with a few ladder storage solutions. Keep reading to learn about them!
Table of Contents
How Should I Store a Ladder?
There are a few things that you should ensure when storing ladders to make sure that your ladder remains in a good position. Be it vertically or horizontally, the orientation in which you store your ladders does not matter much according to multiple manufacturers.
What you should ensure, however, is that your ladder is not exposed under direct sunlight if it’s stored outside. You should always keep the ladder away from moisture and heat. Because heat can warp your ladder, and moisture may lead to molds.
The ladder should be stored folded shut, flat, and supported evenly. This way, there is no undue stress on the ladder’s runs or rails.
Also, the ladder should be out of harm’s way. The place where it’s stored should not be a place people or vehicles frequently pass by; otherwise, they might knock your ladder off.
How to Store Extension Ladder in Garage?
The most common place where ladders are stored is the garage. There are two ways you can store- vertically and horizontally.
Vertical Ladder Storage
Rather than just stuffing your ladder in the garage with other items, you can hang extension ladder on garage wall. This will keep your ladder upright and secure while also saving space.
Don’t know how to hang a ladder in the garage? The answer is pretty simple – ladder storage hooks! There are many different models of these hooks you will find in the market, choose one that is sturdy and heavy-duty. Otherwise, your ladder may fall off. Do not go for any cheap option you stumble across.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the hook on your wall. Then, just hand your ladder in the hook. It’s as simple as that! Make sure to install them at a good height, or you might have to redo the process.
Horizontal Ladder Storage
If you want, you can also store your ladder on the wall horizontally. For this, you will need at least two hooks. Feel free to use more if you prefer. A downside to this is that the ladder will take up more space on your wall, as it will hang horizontally across.
On the other hand, a plus to this method is that your hooks do not have to be that strong or robust. Because two or more hooks will be supporting the ladder, the weight will be distributed among them. So, affordable hooks will be great for this.
Additional Instructions for Ladder Hooks
No matter what the manufacturer specifies, always install ladder hooks in the wall’s stud. Just the drywall is not enough. There are a few things you should look for in a ladder hook.
Firstly, the hook’s surface should be long enough to accommodate the depth of your ladder easily. And, it should be able to grip a solid portion. Otherwise, your ladder will be dangling off on its edge, which is not something you should want.
Secondly, the entire surface of the hook should be coated. This will help by providing a better grip on the ladder while also preventing any scratches. You can use multiple hooks instead of one to increase weight capacity.
Thirdly, the hook’s weight capacity should be enough to carry the ladder effortlessly. It’s best if the capacity is greater than the weight of the ladder. Good coatings include neoprene and rubber. They are naturally anti-scratch while also increasing traction & grip.
How to Store Extension Ladder in Ceiling?
You already know how to hang extension ladder in garage. Other than the garage, you also have the option of ceiling ladder storage. And there are two methods for extension ladder ceiling storage – ladder pulleys or hoists and ceiling racks.
Ladder Pulleys
You can use a pulley or hoist and store it close to the ceiling. Ladder hoists are also called ‘hoist and pulley’ and ‘garage ceiling lifts.’ This is an excellent option if you are running low on space, as the ceiling is an area seldom put to use.
If your pulley is manual, you have to pull on its rope to pull your ladder near the ceiling. This works similar to how window blinds work. When you pull, the ladder goes up; when you let go of the rope, the ladder comes back down.
And if your pulley is automated, simply use the button to hoist the ladder upwards or downwards.
However, keep in mind that this is potentially dangerous, as it will be hanging from the ceiling. The ladder may fall off under certain circumstances, damaging anything or hurting anyone underneath.
Ceiling Racks
Aside from pulleys, you can also install a ceiling rack and store your ladder on it. If you use this option, you will need another ladder to reach the rack when putting the ladder in or getting it out. With a pulley, this is not necessary as the pulley does the job.
If you are considering ceiling storage, it is imperative to know the maximum weight your ceiling can accommodate. Also, installing the pulley is very important. The risks will increase if the pully is incorrectly installed.
Between the two, the pulley or hoist system holds a ladder more firmly & securely because the ladder will be tied to the gadget. As for the rack, the ladder will rest on it without anything holding it secure. Also, getting the ladder in and out of the rack is a hassle because you need a second ladder.
That being said, ceiling racks are fantastic at storing things that are bulky, weighty, and long.
How to Store Extension Ladder Outside?
If you do not want to use your garage or ceiling, you can also store your ladder outside. You could hang the ladder on a fence in your garden or yard.
A word of caution, though, doing so is not recommended by us unless your ladder is resilient to weather elements, such as fiberglass ladders. But even then, outside is a harsher environment on ladders. Moisture exposure may facilitate rusts on metal ladders.
Wooden ladders are perhaps the most at risk when kept outside. They can warp from excess heat or start rotting from excessive moisture.
Remember, because of the harsher outside environment, your ladder may get rust & other metal degradation, rotting, damaged plastic fitting, corrosion in ropes, etc. Also, unauthorized use or even theft are other unwelcome possibilities.
So, unless your hands are tied, try not to store ladders outside. Ladders do not come cheap, so you should store & treat them wisely.
Final Words
Hopefully, we were able to provide you with a few viable ladder storage solutions, or at least spark inspiration for some other method. Carefully consider your available wall space, budget, ceiling condition, wall condition, availability of a secondary ladder, etc., before you decide on a method.
That’s all for today. Thanks for dropping by. See you!