Looking for a ladder that might not exist

[bitstreams]

I need to work on the gable end of my house - repointing a bit and then painting, but there is a single storey extension below it with a sloping slate roof. If I could stand at the top of the roof I could reach most of the bits I need to.

So I've been looking for some sort of folding ladder arrangement that will take me up from the ground and across to a platform that I can work from.
The vertical height at the front of the extension is hardley anything, just 1.85m but the diagonal reach to the back of the roof is 2.7m.

I have found conservatory ladders that have this sort of hinged arrangement, but the reach to the back of the roof is not long enough. Also, I'd prefer a ladder that gave me a horizontal platform at the wall rather than a sloping one.

I realise that I could get scaffolding up, but I have another similar problem on the other side of the house and don't really want the expense of scaffolding.

Does such a ladder system exist or perhaps there's another way? All help gratefully received.

 

[swbjackson]

I hope you've got good life insurance. IMHO scaffold is the only safe way.

 

[r896neo]

The hinged type ladder you refer to simply allow a stand off from the wall you can not use the horizontal bit as a working platform.

You could use a ladder either side with ladder cripples on it. use google images to see what they are if you haven't heard of them. You can often hire them with a rigid platform to go between and easier to put up than scaffold

 

[Deleted member 174758]

You could use a ladder either side with ladder cripples on it. use google images to see what they are if you haven't heard of them. You can often hire them with a rigid platform to go between and easier to put up than scaffold

Can you still hire them? We used to use them for putting-up lit sign boxes, but last time I asked about hiring them I was told all they were willing to hire was two small towers and a some Youngerman boards

 

[r896neo]

Oh maybe your right actually i haven't tried and come to think of it i can understand why they wouldn't

 

[ntb]

Some for hire here:
http://www.1sthire.com/categories/ladders_support_boom_and_scissor_lifts/?id=15&type=ladder_cripples

Not sure I'd be happy on them.

 

[RF Lighting]

Crikey

No way you'd get me working off that!