Second-Hand Ladders: Are They Safe?

You might be tempted to save yourself a few pounds by purchasing a second-hand ladder over a brand new one. But you must be careful because used ladders could be unreliable and unsafe.

Before buying a ladder second hand, you should find out…

• How old it is
• How often it’s been used
• What it’s been used for
• Where it’s been stored

For instance, if the previous owner only used it a handful of times on a few odd jobs around the house and stored it properly indoors, then it’s likely that the ladder is quite safe – so long as it doesn’t show any signs of damage.

However, if the ladder has been kept outdoors and/or used frequently over many years, it’s much more likely to be too old or damaged to use.

Because it’s difficult to know exactly what somebody else’s ladder has gone through, we strongly advise against buying second-hand ladders as you could be putting yourself at risk of a nasty fall.

How to tell if a ladder is damaged

If a second-hand ladder displays one or all of the below signs of damage, it is not safe to use:

• Worn, damaged or missing feet
• Bent or damaged side rails
• Damaged, loose or missing rungs
• Malfunctioning locking mechanisms

You should also avoid ladders that are covered in paint or dirt as these stains could be obscuring signs of damage underneath.

Even if a used ladder shows little to no evidence of damage, we always recommend erring on the side of caution and buying a new ladder instead – after all, you can’t put a price on your safety.

Where to buy ladders

Here at Ladders UK Direct, we stock a huge range of ladders to suit all budgets, jobs and environments. Whatever you need a ladder for, you’ll find what you’re looking for right here. Shop below:

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