Ladder against a gutter: allowed, and how to secure it?

Is it allowed?

No rule forbids a ladder against the gutter. What the law does require, in article 7.23a of the Dutch Working Conditions Decree: the ladder is stable, slipping is prevented by securing the top or bottom or with an anti-slip device, and a ladder you use to get onto the roof extends at least 1 metre above that level. All of that is possible against a gutter, but not against every gutter and not without thought.

First: what kind of gutter is it?

• Zinc or other metal gutter. Usually firmly fixed and with a lip. You can lean the ladder against it and secure the top.
• Plastic gutter. Light and flexible. Whether it will hold a ladder with someone on it, you cannot know in advance. Better not to lean the ladder against it.
• Gutter with a fixed leaf guard. It sits exactly where you would want to fix the ladder to the gutter.
• Old or loose gutter. If it sags, leaks at the seams or has loose brackets, it is not a support point.

No good gutter? Use a stand-off

A stand-off is a bracket at the top of the ladder that rests on the wall instead of the gutter. The ladder then does not touch the gutter. It is the solution for plastic gutters and for roof edges with an overhang. If there is a window, do not lean the ladder against the glass either: Arbouw recommends cross supports for that. If you want to get onto the roof from the ladder, check that the stand-off is made for that.

Metal gutter: secure the top

The biggest risk against a gutter is often not the gutter breaking, but the top of the ladder sliding sideways along the smooth edge while you reach to one side. That is why you secure the top.

1. Tie it off. A ratchet strap around both stiles, fixed to a solid point on the building. Strong, but it takes time and you have to be up there to do it.
2. A gutter clamp. A clamp that grips under the lip of the gutter and holds the ladder stile. Faster than tying. Check that it fits your gutter and your ladder stiles.
3. Someone at the foot. Only helps against the foot slipping, and only for short jobs. It does not stop the top.

The LockJaw Ladder Grip, sold by ApexSafe, is such a gutter clamp. According to the manufacturer it fits most ladders with stiles up to about 50 mm wide, and metal gutters with a lip the clamps can grip under, such as box gutters and K-style gutters. It is not intended for plastic gutters or fixed metal leaf guards. If you are unsure whether your gutter is strong enough, do not use it.

Before you go up

• Set the ladder at the right angle: about 75 degrees. The EN 131-3 pictograms give 65 to 75 degrees for rung ladders.
• Let it extend at least 1 metre above the gutter if you are going onto the roof.
• Put the feet on level, firm ground. See a ladder on sloping or soft ground.
• Carry your tools on a belt, so you climb with both hands.
• Do the thirty-second ladder check first.

Video: Ladder safety, extension ladders (WorkSafeBC)

Frequently asked questions

Can a gutter take the weight of a ladder?

It depends on the gutter. A solid, well-fixed metal gutter is different from a plastic gutter on loose brackets. If in doubt, use a stand-off that rests on the wall.

How far must the ladder extend above the gutter?

At least 1 metre if you use it to get onto the roof, unless there is another handhold. That is in article 7.23a of the Dutch Working Conditions Decree.

Does a ladder damage the gutter?

It can scratch or dent it, especially if the top starts to slide. A secured ladder rubs less. Rubber end caps or a gutter protector also help.

Is someone holding the ladder enough?

No. It helps against a foot slipping on short jobs, but does not stop the top when it starts sliding sideways.

Sources

• Dutch Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), article 7.23a
• Arbouw: The ladder as a workplace? When yes, when no (Dutch)
• LockJaw Ladder Grip, manufacturer information

This article is a practical explanation, not legal advice. Sources checked on 24 September 2026.