Spotting wear and tear on used gear: my quick routine

I get the concern, but I think some folks overreact to things like a single loose rivet. Not saying ignore it - just that not every minor thing is a death trap. If you’re checking your ladder regularly and not seeing cracks or major bends, you’re probably fine for light work. That said, I totally agree on the feet.

“didn’t realize how much grip I’d lost till then”

“didn’t realize how much grip I’d lost till then”

That’s exactly what got me to start checking the feet more closely. I used to just give the ladder a quick once-over, but after nearly sliding out on some old composite shingles, I realized how sketchy worn feet can be. It’s wild how you don’t notice the gradual loss of grip until it’s almost gone.

I hear you on the loose rivet thing. I’ve tightened a few over the years and never had an issue, especially for lighter stuff like cleaning gutters or hanging lights. If the frame’s solid and there’s no major warping, I’m not tossing it either. Some folks are super cautious, which is fair, but I agree it can get wasteful. I’d rather keep gear in use as long as it’s safe - less stuff in the landfill, too.

But yeah, once you’ve had a close call, you start looking at ladders a little differently. I guess it’s all about finding that balance between safety and not overreacting to every little thing.

Funny how you never notice those ladder feet until they’re basically slicker than a greased watermelon. I’ve had a few “uh-oh” moments on mossy roofs, and now I check the rubber every time - especially after dragging it across gravel or rough shingles. As for loose rivets, I’m with you: if it’s just a bit of play and the frame’s still true, a quick tighten and it’s good for another season. No need to toss perfectly usable gear unless it’s actually unsafe... landfill’s got enough junk already.

Those ladder feet are sneaky, right? I used to think they’d last forever until I nearly did the splits on my driveway. Now I give them a quick wiggle and check for chunks missing - especially after hauling the ladder through gravel. I’m with you on not tossing stuff unless it’s toast. Sometimes a little elbow grease and a socket wrench is all it takes to get another year out of things. Still, if I see cracks in the frame or the ladder feels wobbly, that’s my cue to retire it... not worth risking a trip to the ER.

I get wanting to stretch gear as long as possible - same here, I’m not quick to toss stuff. But honestly, I don’t always call it quits at the first sign of a crack. If it’s just a tiny hairline and the ladder still feels solid, I’ll keep using it, especially for lighter jobs. I know that’s not everyone’s comfort zone, but sometimes these things look worse than they are. That said, if it starts flexing or creaking, that’s when I draw the line... not worth the gamble.

I get the temptation to keep using something if it still feels sturdy, but I’m always a bit wary of cracks, even small ones. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’ve read that hairline fractures can spread without much warning. I’d probably retire a ladder if I spotted any flexing or odd noises, too... not worth risking a fall over a few bucks.

I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes a tiny crack isn’t always a dealbreaker - depends on the material and where it is. For ladders, though, I’m with you. I always check the rungs and side rails for any flex or creaking before climbing up. If I spot anything weird, it’s not worth the risk... especially when you’re hauling tools up for a roof job.

That’s a good point about the material - fiberglass ladders, for example, can sometimes get hairline cracks that don’t affect structural integrity, but with aluminum, any visible bend or crack is a red flag for me. I’ve seen folks tape over small splits and keep using them, which honestly makes me nervous. Do you have a different inspection routine for step ladders versus extension ladders, or do you treat them all the same? Sometimes I wonder if people get too comfortable with the gear they use every day and miss subtle signs of wear.

I get what you mean about people getting too comfortable - honestly, I’ve caught myself skipping steps when I’m in a rush. For me, I do check step ladders and extension ladders a bit differently. With step ladders, I’m always looking at the hinges and the spreader bars since those seem to loosen up or get wobbly over time. Extension ladders, though, I pay more attention to the locks and rails, especially after moving them around a lot.

I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of taping over cracks either. It just feels like a shortcut that could go wrong fast. Out of curiosity, do you ever check the feet or rubber pads? I noticed one of mine was worn almost flat and it made the ladder feel way less stable than I expected. Makes me wonder how many people overlook those little details...

Totally agree about the tape - I've seen folks try to patch up cracks and it just makes me nervous. I always check the feet and pads, especially on older ladders. It’s wild how much a worn pad can throw off stability. One trick I use: give the ladder a little wiggle before climbing, just to see if anything feels off. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.

I always check the feet and pads, especially on older ladders. It’s wild how much a worn pad can throw off stability.

I get what you mean, but do you ever find that even with good pads, the ground itself is the bigger problem? I’ve had times where the ladder looked fine but the grass was slick or uneven and that messed me up more than the gear itself. I still do the wiggle test, but I’ll also stomp around the base to check for soft spots. Ever had a pad look okay but sink right into mud? That’s caught me out more than once.

That’s spot on - sometimes the ground’s more of a hazard than the ladder itself. I’ve had perfectly good feet just vanish into soft dirt after a rain, especially in backyards with heavy clay. Even gravel can shift under you if you’re not careful. I usually toss down a scrap of plywood or an old shingle if things look sketchy, but it can still surprise you. The wiggle test is good, but nothing beats double-checking what you’re actually standing on.

- Totally get what you mean about the ground being sketchier than the ladder sometimes.
- I’ve had a ladder sink into mud even after doing the wiggle test - felt solid, then suddenly not.
- Plywood helps, but yeah, it’s not foolproof.
- I try to check for roots or rocks under the board too, just in case.
- Good call on double-checking - better to spend an extra minute than end up on your back.
- Honestly, it’s wild how much the ground can change after a rain or even just a heavy dew.

Funny how you can do all the right things - wiggle test, plywood, even scouting for rocks - and the ground still finds a way to surprise you. After a big rain, I’ve seen dry-looking soil just give way under a board like it’s quicksand. Sometimes I’ll even stomp around the spot just to see if there’s any weird give. You’re right though, spending a couple extra minutes beats dealing with a bruised tailbone... or worse.

That’s the thing - no matter how careful you are, the ground can still pull a fast one. I’ve had crews swear up and down that a spot was solid, then a rainstorm comes through and suddenly there’s a sunken ladder or a cracked board. Even with all the checks, sometimes it’s just luck of the draw.

I’m with you on taking those extra minutes, though. People get impatient, especially if it looks dry or they’re in a rush to wrap up. But I’ve seen what happens when someone skips the basics - one guy ended up with a sprained ankle after his scaffold leg went right through what looked like packed dirt. It’s not always about being overly cautious, but honestly, I’d rather deal with a few eye-rolls than fill out an incident report.

One thing I’ll add: even if the surface seems fine, I always check for any odd smells or patches that look “off” - sometimes there’s rot or old fill dirt that just isn’t stable, especially around older properties. And after heavy rain, I’m way more skeptical than usual. Water has a way of hiding trouble.

I do think some folks go overboard with plywood everywhere, but for certain jobs, especially if there’s been weather, it’s worth it. The cost of replacing a busted tool or paying for medical bills is way higher than a few sheets of plywood or 10 extra minutes inspecting.

Guess at the end of the day, you can’t control everything, but you can stack the odds in your favor. Still surprises me how often “routine” checks turn up something weird... keeps you on your toes.

Funny how you mention the “routine” checks - last fall, I was convinced my extension ladder was still good as new. Looked fine, felt sturdy, but when I actually ran my hand along the rails, I found a hairline crack right where it meets the rung. No idea how long it’d been there. I’m with you on plywood, too. Sometimes it feels like overkill, but after watching a neighbor’s wheelbarrow disappear into what looked like solid ground, I’ll take the extra step. Weather just messes with everything, especially in older yards.

That’s actually kind of eye-opening - makes me wonder how much “good as new” stuff around here is just waiting to let me down. I’ve always figured if something looks solid, it probably is, but after reading this, maybe I’m just getting lucky. Do you check everything before each use, or is it more of a once-a-season thing? I’m trying to find that balance between being cautious and not overthinking every project.

The plywood thing...I know what you mean about overkill. Half the time I feel like I’m just making more work for myself, but then something weird happens - like the time my shovel basically disappeared in the backyard after a storm. I guess there’s a reason people say an ounce of prevention and all that, but it’s hard not to second-guess whether I’m being too careful.

Weather definitely keeps things interesting, especially when you don’t really know what’s lurking under the surface. It’s reassuring hearing someone else takes those extra steps, though. Maybe I’m not as paranoid as I thought.

I get what you mean about feeling like you’re overdoing it sometimes. I used to just give my tools and gear a quick glance before using them, but after a couple of close calls (like a ladder with a cracked rung I didn’t notice until it flexed weird), I started checking things more often. Now, I do a quick once-over every time I pull something out for a job - nothing crazy, just looking for obvious cracks, rust, or loose parts. For bigger stuff or things that don’t get used much, I’ll do a deeper check at the start of the season.

Honestly, it’s easy to feel like you’re being too cautious until something fails at the worst possible moment. Weather definitely messes with stuff more than I expected - had a tarp that looked fine but turned out brittle after a winter in the shed. I’d rather spend an extra minute checking than deal with a busted tool halfway through a project. Still, I try not to let it slow me down too much...just enough to avoid surprises.

- I hear you on the weather messing with gear. Up on roofs, I’ve had harness straps go stiff or even crack after a cold snap - looked fine at first glance.
- Quick checks save headaches, but sometimes I wonder if I’m missing stuff by rushing. Ever had a tool look solid, then fail mid-job? Happened to me with a caulk gun last fall... made a mess.
- For ladders, I always check the feet for wear too. Slippery pads are just asking for trouble.
- Not sure there’s such a thing as “too cautious” when you’re working at height, but yeah, it can slow things down if you overthink it. Balance is tricky.

That’s a good point about the ladder feet - those little rubber pads wear out faster than you’d think. I’ve nearly had mine slide out on me after a rain, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t checked. As for rushing checks, I’m guilty of that too. Once had a drill battery that looked fine, but corroded inside... totally died halfway through mounting shelves. I get wanting to be thorough, but sometimes I catch myself double-checking the same thing and just end up wasting time. It’s tough to find that middle ground between safe and paranoid.