Ladder for gutters

A double extension would do but I prefer a triple extension as it is more rigid and flexes less while climbing/descending.

Using a standoff is good as you don't want to warp or deform the guttering and when cleaning guttering it is a lot easier if you go above them.

Always have someone "foot" the ladder while you are on it (one foot on ground the other on the bottom rung and holding the rails). They will stabilize the ladder and also can see things that you may not see (especially when coming down). Stabilizers are not a replacement for this.

Use the 1 to four rule - 1 foot out for every 4 feet up. Too little and you will be unbalanced at the top and too far out and the ladder may slip away.

Don't over reach, keep your body central to the ladder, if you need to go further - move the ladder.

Also you could consider fitting gutter guards while you are up there. It takes a while to do but saves lots of time in the long term. Also consider investing in a tool belt if you don't have one, saves a lot of climbing.

Damnit! Now ye've gone and reminded me; I saw some crafty vegetation poking out of my own gutters, the other day. Pissing it down, as I type. But, that's what rain proofs are for 😒

I too have a ladder stand off. What Lunatic would approach a gutter clean out without one? Spring clipped. No nuts and bolts. Off and on in a moment. Mine stays on becase, why not?

Kind member on here ~ whose handle I've since lost ~ pointed out the ones with a 'V' in them, rather than a straight '_'. God send! Get to that corner down pipe and see.

Bottom end? Various things out there. I live in a sloping field. My life just gets 'interesting'. But, the wider grip of that stand off sure helps.

What about these 'Gutter Hedgehog' things? Long brushes ye leave in there. Been meaning to get some for years. (Damn! I'd missed John Tune's post! Yes!)

Anyway; I'm just stepping outside .....

Yep, they are not too bad.

However if you can get one that uses a rope to extend while already against the wall.

Opening it on the ground and then trying to offer it up to a wall at 4.5M isn't a bunch of fun.

https://www.ladders.ie/products/heavydutyextensionladder/

These guys do them (no affiliation!) and they also do standoffs and stabilizers it seems.

They are aluminium so wont rust, but you might have issues with the rope side of things (though I assume they are nylon)

A scaffold tower is a lot more expensive and unwieldy to setup and store, far easier to just get someone to install the leaf guards.

https://scafftex.ie/shop/aluminium-towers/instant-upright-tower-2-rung-1m-frame-sw/

I don't like heights either, and have heard too many stories of ladders slipping, so here is my safe solution and I have used it again and again:

Get stainless-steel strong hooks at least 4" long, drill holes in wall at both ends; use rawl-plugs and screw in hooks tightly and fully.

When using ladder, tie good strong cloth ropes (not nylon - danger of knots slipping) to both hooks, position ladder where you want to start cleaning, grab the ends of the two ropes and bring them with you as you climb ladder. Tie them tightly to both sides of ladder four rungs from top of ladder, with rope leading over outside of sides of ladder over to hooks. Ropes should be taut.

Untie and retie as you move the ladder along work area.

Obviously use recommendations in other messages above to secure foot of ladder as well.

That's the one! 😁 Was using mine only yesterday!

But, christ! Haven't they gone up in price though?! 😲 I remember paying That much for my roof hooks. Thought at the time, " God, That f***ing hurt! ". And that was Donkeys ago. Stander was much cheaper.

Wouldn't go up a roof any more. Deafness born of age. Destroys all sense of balance. Okay with up and downs though 😐️ But, yeah; Stand Off? Why on earth Wouldn't ye use one? Seems mad that people don't.

The V notch is the boy for corners. Came in handy many time.

@Stigura, yeah they're gone a mental price altogether. Was shocked when I saw them.