How to Store a Ladder (The Right Way)

Ladders require proper storage. While most ladders are, in fact, weather resistant, you shouldn't leave them outdoors. After you are finished using your ladder, you should store it in an appropriate place. Otherwise, it may succumb to damage, which can render it unsafe to use. How do you store a ladder exactly?

Choose a Well-Ventilated Space

You should store your ladder in a well-ventilated space, such as a finished garage or basement. Without ventilation, your ladder may develop mold or mildew. If it's made of wood, it may even rot. Well-ventilated spaces don't have stagnant air. Rather, they are ventilated so that air circulates through them. As a result, they are less susceptible to moisture problems. By choosing a well-ventilated space in which to store your ladder, you won't have to worry about mold, mildew or rotting.

Keep It Off the Floor

Try to keep your ladder off the floor when storing it. Storing your ladder on the floor may sound harmless, but it may lead to injury. You may trip and fall over your ladder if you store it on the floor. Trip-and-fall accidents such as this rank as one of the leading causes of injuries in the United States. Rather than storing your ladder on the floor, consider storing it on a wall. You can install a hook on an open wall, after which you can hang your ladder from it. 

Collapse Before Storing

Assuming you have an extension ladder, you should collapse it before storing it. Also known as portable ladders, extension ladders have two pieces. They are known as "extension ladders" because they can extend to become longer. Leaving your extension ladder extended will only consume more storage space. Fortunately, you can collapse it so that it consumes less storage space.

Keep Wooden Ladders Away From Heat

Wooden ladders should be stored in a safe space that's away from all heat sources. Ladders are available in different materials. While some of them are made of aluminum, others are made of wood. Wooden ladders are inexpensive, but they aren't particularly strong. The biggest concern with wooden ladders is that they'll ignite when exposed to a heat source. You can still store a wooden ladder, but you should choose a safe space that's away from all heat sources.

A ladder is an invaluable tool that will allow you to reach roofs and other elevated surfaces. If you regularly use a ladder, though, you'll need to choose a proper storage space for it.