Collapsible ladder stuck not opening

[popotla]

We carry on the rear end of the van a collapsible ladder. A photograph of it might or might not help but I don't have one and it's not easy to get one but anyway it's something like the one in the photo I've just found.

For some time it's been tricky to open, was sticking at times, now - in cold weather - it won't open at all. I've tried very light oil at all the points where this might help, and let this soak in overnight but it won't budge. I'm really not sure what to do at this point. I want to use my ladder! Could there be some internal fault that is stopping it opening?

I was going to try WD-40 but read advice against this.

 

[icantremember]

I would suggest a PTFE or silicone spray might be better as WD40 can damage plastics and seals.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Are all the sections stuck? Or just a few?

 

[Bessy765]

Hot soapy water, what usually happens is fine dust finds its way in and jams the slides. There is no mechanical catch to keep it closed thats what the strap is for. Drill a hole in the bottom of the feet so the water can run out.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Dirt, especially grit, is the enemy of these types of ladders. Also look for any physical damage - scratches / dents in the tubes and rings.

Be wary of any lubricant which might interfere with the rung locking systems. WD40 will be bad as it can hold the dirt, a light silicone may be appropriate.

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[Colintheolder]

Aluminium corrosion, once you get it open, lightly sand it, then silicone spray

 

[Minxy]

We had the same after ours got a soaking when we were cleaning the conservatory roof, it kept jamming up and not opening/closing at times, a good dose of silicone spray sorted it.

 

[joe and sue]

Better that way than not locking when open, that would hurt !!

 

[Brains]

We keep one of those telescopic ladders in the back of our MoHo as well.
They are not good if they get wet!

Consequently, I left ours, fully extended and upside down, draining against a building in the summer sunshine all day after I last used it for washing the roof.

 

[wasp]

Ooh I don’t like them, they are finger trappers.

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[popotla]

Thanks for comments and suggestions.

(icantremember) I would suggest a PTFE or silicone spray might be better as WD40 can damage plastics and seals.

When a ladder is closed, its sections are closely telescoped one on top of the other. Would a silicone spray penetrate and run down inside (thus, one hopes, freeing up whatever is stuck)?

Since posting, I've read on diyladders.co.uk that Since posting, I've read on diyladders.co.uk that One of the causes is an excess accumulation of dirt. When too much dirt gets into contact with the telescopic ladder, chances are that it will clog the inside of the stiles making it difficult to move the rungs up and down. To solve this problem, you should use a silicone-based furniture polish to spray the stiles of the ladder. This will leave a thin wax coating on the surface which should solve the problem.

To spray the styles of the ladder, the ladder would have to be already open, wouldn't it?

(The Ex-Gasman) Are all the sections stuck? Or just a few?

I can open the top three sections (I did say in my o p that "it won't open at all" but that was not exactly right) but after that the rest don't open. It was my habit, if I remember rightly, to open the sections from the top, one by one. Whether lower ones, at the time, could have been opened while one above them was stuck, I don't know.

 

[icantremember]

Thanks for comments and suggestions.

(icantremember) I would suggest a PTFE or silicone spray might be better as WD40 can damage plastics and seals.

When a ladder is closed, its sections are closely telescoped one on top of the other. Would a silicone spray penetrate and run down inside (thus, one hopes, freeing up whatever is stuck)?

Since posting, I've read on diyladders.co.uk that Since posting, I've read on diyladders.co.uk that One of the causes is an excess accumulation of dirt. When too much dirt gets into contact with the telescopic ladder, chances are that it will clog the inside of the stiles making it difficult to move the rungs up and down. To solve this problem, you should use a silicone-based furniture polish to spray the stiles of the ladder. This will leave a thin wax coating on the surface which should solve the problem.

To spray the styles of the ladder, the ladder would have to be already open, wouldn't it?

(The Ex-Gasman) Are all the sections stuck? Or just a few?

I can open the top three sections (I did say in my o p that "it won't open at all" but that was not exactly right) but after that the rest don't open. It was my habit, if I remember rightly, to open the sections from the top, one by one. Whether lower ones, at the time, could have been opened while one above them was stuck, I don't know.

A silicone spray polish should certainly do the job .. I use this on curtain rails & poles to make the glyders move smoothly.

 

[emjaiuk]

This is a serious suggestion. You could try using a thin strap, similar to those used for tying down items on roof racks, to tie the first rung to something solid. The other end to a vehicle, then very very gently use the vehicle to extend the ladder. You will at least be able to work on it then.

 

[Northernraider]

This is a serious suggestion. You could try using a thin strap, similar to those used for tying down items on roof racks, to tie the first rung to something solid. The other end to a vehicle, then very very gently use the vehicle to extend the ladder. You will at least be able to work on it then.

I was going to suggest the very same thing ....it will open it just needs the right amount of pressure to do it.

Then once its open a good clean and liberal coats of silicone spray to stop it happening again

 

[raysalaugh]

This ladder has obviously taken steps to shorten it's life

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[Vipar]

Take it indoors to get it warm. Then try all of the above suggestions. Next time dry it / spray with offers before collapsing it. Good luck.

 

[Geo]

I had one,
It was my step ladder
My real one left me

 

[Larrynwin]

Sounds like the likely cause if strapped on the back of van could well have picked up grit from road spray especially if not kept in a protective cover.
If you get it open give a thorough clean .

 

[popotla]

Thanks for further advice.

Can anyone answer the following question?

Working from the top of the ladder, the third section does not open. i.e. I can pull up two sections but not the third. After that, NO OTHER SECTIONS WILL OPEN.

Does the "locking" of that third section imply that all sections under that one will not open, irrespective of whether or not there's a problem within those remaining sections?

OR Does the fact that no other sections (after the first two) will open, imply that there's damage/dirt/corrosion in all sections?

Thanks.

(I've just ordered some silicon spray.)

 

[Geo]

All sections operate independently one section locking, will not effect any other

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[John Barrett]

This ladder has obviously taken steps to shorten it's life

Has the OP rung the supplier?

 

[joe and sue]

All sections operate independently one section locking, will not effect any other

They may operate independently, but they need to work together to be successful, bit like the human race !!

 

[Geo]

Woosh!!

 

[popotla]

Thank you for all helpful comments. I bought a silicone spray but the problem turned out to be due only to the unusually cold weather.

 

[scally]

Thank you for all helpful comments. I bought a silicone spray but the problem turned out to be due only to the unusually cold weather.

Froze up did it ?

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[Diabalo]

Thanks for letting us know the outcome

 

[popotla]

Yes, it froze up, I suppose. After all those helpful comments, I really should have answered sooner. Apologies.