Guttervac tips anyone...

[Smurf]

I actually used three methods on that one

Guttervac

By hand

Telescopic pressure washer lance

I'm a pro dont you know...And that is why as @Tuffers would say I charge a fortune but at least I do a quality job. /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Smurf]

Seriously folks the point I'm trying to make is no one method is suitable on every job as I often need to use one or more methods to get the job done properly.

 

[Smurf]

Using a telescopic pressure washer lance is always my last resort as makes a hell of a mess.

[media]

[/media]

 

[Smurf]

So my biggest tip I would say is don't expect a guttervac to be able to tackle every job as from my experience it won't but still is a very handy tool to be able to use.

 

[Smurf]

This is the gutter clearing ladder set up I use now which makes the job so much easier & safer to do when a guttervac dosen't want to play ball.

View attachment 2754

View attachment 2755

Would have been a bit pointless just clearing the gutters on that property without clearing the roof valleys too.

more info can be found here http://windowcleaningforums.co.uk/threads/domestic-gutter-clearing-part-1.12278/

Just make sure you use a standoffgone are the days I put ladders on the actual gutter and hope for the best

 

[Smurf]

@Gav can you move this to the gutter & fascia cleaning section now as may get lost in the chit chat area. If you can also make it a sticky might help others too :thumbsup:

 

[WWC]

On that point can you get a gutter vac with just a flexible hose to take up the ladder with you instead of doing it fron the ground?

Yes you can. You can just buy the hose as it appears to be generic for vacums i.e. gutter vacs, industrial vacs, carpet cleaning machines etc. Just make sure you get the right diameter and the fittings for your vac. If you have a problem, contact the suppier of your gutter vac.

Now if you could get this sort of thing to work, that would be cheap, though I have no idea if it would do the job as I have never tried it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-inch-50mm-BLACK-CORRUGATED-FLEXIBLE-HOSE-FISH-POND-PUMP-MARINE-FLEXI-PIPE-/170814024305?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PondsWaterFeatures_UK&var=&hash=item27c54f2a71

i have done this but after doing it would not recommend as its dodgy safety wise

I would have thought it was safer than going up with a pole and a grab tool at the end of it.

The problem is that you have a hose that is only slightly flexible, that is in your way, running from the ground the whole way up the ladder right beside you, and can get under your feet or distract your hands or arms when it gets in the road - not good up a ladder.

I have done this, and also been up a ladder using the pole as normal, but with me up at the gutter. Though usually, I do this only 'as required'. I don't like being up a ladder with things that get in your way. I did do a bungalow once up the steps, and just the hose and gutter vac pole bend and nozzle. That worked out ok, probably because there was less pull on the hose so, it was easier to handle.

 

[cheapncheerful]

oh just get your hands nice and stinky...:rofl:

 

[WWC]

I was doing a gutter today. There was a vent pipe running up right in an internal corner part of the roof blocking good access to the corner part of the gutter. One side of the corner had guttering that was so tight it was difficult to get fingers in, never mind your hand or a gutter vac tool. The corner had a channel running down the roof blocked up with all sorts of junk, that couldn't be accessed, and of course there was the obigatory lead in the corner of the guttering, that was packed with loads of dried mud, blocking the flow.

The day was hot, and the mud was hard, compact and dry. Since the corner was hard to clear with the vac, and access into the gutter was tight, I had to go up and do it by hand, but the mud just broke into powder as I tired getting it out.

I couldn't just use a gutter vac as access was too tight, and hand clearing was no good as it all turned to dry powder as I tried to shift it. So, this was one of those cases where I was up the ladder with the gutter vac. I kept it running, jammed into the corner of the guttering and broke up the debris by hand , and ushered it towards the vac, that sucked it out and away.

 

[Smurf]

My vac has a 100mm inlet with a reducer cuff to 52mm hose that is not ideal for humping up a ladder for sure. Hence why I add a lenght of 38 mm light plastic vac hose to it when wanting to use a vac up a ladder.

I've also found it comes in very very handy on jobs like this too

View attachment 2757

View attachment 2758

drain rods were also use to push the stubborn **** from out under the gutter brackets so could be sucked up.

View attachment 2759

View attachment 2760

Hope this helps?

 

[cheapncheerful]

you da man smurfy dat is one hell of a job....when i rich and famous you can do my mansion...

 

[WWC]

I was doing a gutter today. There was a vent pipe running up right in an internal corner part of the roof blocking good access to the corner part of the gutter. One side of the corner had guttering that was so tight it was difficult to get fingers in, never mind your hand or a gutter vac tool. The corner had a channel running down the roof blocked up with all sorts of junk, that couldn't be accessed, and of course there was the obigatory lead in the corner of the guttering, that was packed with loads of dried mud, blocking the flow.

I just read this again. I was there, and I am having difficulties following what I said in this post /emoticons/biggrin.png

Trust me, it was a right PITA, that all you really need to know.

 

[cheapncheerful]

yep i understood esp the lead in the corner thing....

 

[WWC]

Now, that is what I call a Deep Clean @Smurf

 

[Smurf]

I know exactly what you meant as I've done loads with stink pipes in corners aswell but I bet you have never tried doing one with a ground floor pitched roof extension below too. Now that was a real challenge /emoticons/biggrin.png

I just read this again. I was there, and I am having difficulties following what I said in this post /emoticons/biggrin.png
Trust me, it was a right PITA, that all you really need to know.

 

[Smurf]

I like to do the best job I can /emoticons/smile.png

Now, that is what I call a Deep Clean @Smurf

 

[norm]

I would have thought it was safer than going up with a pole and a grab tool at the end of it.Sent from my RM-976_1115 using Tapatalk

i found on 2 storey house with 50 mm hose up the ladder was awkward working with it and have to keep holding it like a big snake misbeahaving /emoticons/biggrin.png

progutter tool or reach and scoop ya can leave on gutter /roof if ya need to scratch ya bum :thumbsup:

 

[Smurf]

Or just take a skive as I do /emoticons/biggrin.png

i found on 2 storey house with 50 mm hose up the ladder was awkward working with it and have to keep holding it like a big snake misbeahaving /emoticons/biggrin.pngprogutter tool or reach and scoop ya can leave on gutter /roof if ya need to scratch ya bum :thumbsup:

 

[Smurf]

Sorry I meant rest :rofl:

Or just take a skive as I do /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[norm]

Sorry I meant rest :rofl:

no quick :zzz: up the ladder unless full fall arrest is being wore

 

[Smurf]

Indeed @norm...but it's surprising what you see in gardens in this weather.

Now where did it put me binoculars /emoticons/biggrin.png