[Alex Fisher]

I’m thinking about getting a Jetterix for cleaning the siding on my house, but I’ve got a two-story place. Is it light enough to use one-handed while up on a ladder, or is it too much of a hassle? Just wondering if anyone’s tried that before I pick one up.

[Tina M]

I would not want to balance that thing on a ladder while trying to aim it one-handed. Even though it’s not heavy, the hose drag and the kickback when you pull the trigger make it a two-hand job. I’ve used mine for lower stuff and it’s great, but for the second story I just grab a brush on an extension pole instead. Less hassle than trying to keep your balance up there.

[Max Connor]

I’d skip using it one-handed on a ladder. The hose pulling at your wrist while you’re trying to aim is enough of a pain on the ground, let alone up there. If you’ve got good water pressure, the thing does put out some force, so you kind of need both hands to keep it steady. I’d just do the bottom half from the ground and figure something else out for the top.

[Luke M]

I’d rather work from the ground with an extension pole, honestly.

[Laura M.]

I used mine from the top of a step ladder and it was fine for me, but I also wasn’t trying to be precise about it.

[Lisa Hall]

The nozzle’s not the problem, the ladder is.

[Mar__kus]

The weight isn’t really the issue, it’s more about having one hand busy with the hose while you’re trying to keep your balance on the ladder. I’ve done it once and it was awkward enough that I wouldn’t call it a smooth operation. You can make it work if you’re careful, but it’s not something I’d want to do for a full side of the house.

[Dave K.]

I’d say go for it, but leave the ladder out of it. I’ve used mine on the ground for the lower half and it’s fine one-handed, but up high you’re fighting the hose and trying to hold on at the same time. Not worth the wobble. Just do the top with a pole or whatever you can reach from a window.

[Lisa Muller]

I was really close to buying one last summer, but ended up borrowing my neighbor’s for a weekend before committing. I was dead set on using it for the upper part of my house since I didn’t want to drag out a pressure washer. After trying it, I completely changed my mind about that plan. It’s not that the Jetterix is heavy, because it’s really not. The problem is the hose and the water pressure fighting you the whole time. You’re up there trying to balance, and the hose is pulling and twisting, and you need both hands just to keep the thing aimed where you want it. I ended up doing the ground level and the porch steps with it, and it was fine for that. For the second story, I just went back to a long pole and a regular brush attachment. I still think it’s a decent little tool for the money, just not for ladder work.

[Khan]

I think if you’re already comfortable working off a ladder with one hand, the Jetterix won’t be what throws you off. I’m the opposite though, I prefer keeping both hands free and just use mine from the ground for whatever I can reach. The spray is strong enough that I don’t feel like I’m missing much by not being right up close.

[Owen21]

Tried it once from a ladder and dropped it halfway down. No thanks.

[Gary Scott]

If you can handle a drill one-handed on a ladder, this won’t change anything. I found the hose drag worse than the weight.

[Tommy Burrel]

I wouldn’t want to wrestle with that thing on a ladder, but not because of the weight. It’s the hose. Once you get up there the hose is pulling in some direction and you’re fighting that while trying to keep the nozzle aimed at the siding. One hand for the Jetterix, one for the ladder, and the hose is doing whatever it wants. That’s a no from me.

I did the whole two-story thing last year with a regular nozzle and it was annoying enough. The Jetterix is fine when you’ve got solid footing, but the second story is just not where I’d use it. I’d rather do the bottom half from the ground and figure out something else for the top. Maybe one of those extension wands or just a different nozzle.

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but you’d have to be a lot more comfortable on a ladder than I am.

[Old Dave]

Ladder plus one-handed nozzle work is a bad combo. The Jetterix kicks back more than people expect when the water pressure is decent, and you need both hands to keep it steady against siding. I wouldn’t risk leaning off a ladder trying to wrangle it.

[Tom Ray]

One-handed on a ladder sounds like a soaked shirt and a bad grip waiting to happen.

[Laura Check]

The weight was never really my issue with mine. I’ve used it on the ground plenty and it balances fine one-handed. What got me was how the water pressure makes the hose stiffen up and want to snake around while you’re up there. You end up fighting the hose more than the nozzle itself. I found myself doing this weird shuffle on the ladder trying to keep the hose from kinking or whipping against the house. It’s doable if you can hook the hose over a rung or something to take the strain off, but that adds its own fiddling. If you’re used to holding a drill or a paint sprayer up high, the Jetterix part won’t be the problem. It’s everything attached to it that makes it awkward.

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