[Matt Gibson]

Righto,

I've been thinking about getting a wet vac for a while and recently had quite a few industrial units with cladding cleans and gutter cleans. Pain getting on the roof and its slow work by hand. Got a few more in the pipeline so am wanting to invest in a vac/poles etc.

Probably going to speak to Kev about a vac, unless anyone has any good suggestions.

What i'm really after is input on poles. Anyone use carbon? aluminium? I wont be using it day in day out, so not looking to spend a fortune, just something that's going to last.

What about the end bends? What is best for no blockages, ease to get into gutters etc? Do you really need multiple types/shapes of end nozzle?

Inspection cameras? really necessary? Do you get the ladders out to check anyway? or if you have all the kit do you just go along cleaning with the vac/poles and at the end that's it? job done without checking?

And how many times do you need to get the ladders out anyway for large clumps etc?

Any input much appreciated.

[chris scott]

Buy the carbon poles ...ally ones are too much of a work out.
Air flow (lpermin) and  inH2Ois what you need to check for the vac ...sucking power. Some big motors (watts) don't suck any better than a decent small one but you need a massive "Genny" to run them.
I prefer round body vacs .You can fit them with a gorilla bucket  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gorilla-Tubs-Gorilla-Tub-Extra-Large-75-Litre-Bucket-Muck-/310707479187?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item48579be293 Drill a few holes in the bottom and make a filter from geotextile membrane. The water goes through but the crap stays in the bucket...easy to empty.
We also have telescopic ally decorators poles Link here with various attachments gaffer taped to the end to break up the lumps.
We use a back pack blower to clean downspouts Link Here ...blow from the bottom up! Make a rubber "gasket " to fit the blower to the downspout to get maximum airflow . Draw rods if its compacted Link here
We use a go pro Link here   to inspect joints and make sure it's clean

[Aqua Power Solutions]

Hi Matt, firstly go for the carbon poles , they cost more but makes life on the job a lot easier. Attachments required predominantly a U bend. I run a 3000 watt motor 90 ltr capacity and it has paid for itself within 6 month. I do commercial and domestic and it has never let me down. I have the bullet camera and monitor but to be honest i dont use it. (However it is a good selling point to the customer). I still get the ladders out and assist the vac when cleaning the gutters. There is no way you can clean a gutter out properly from been on the ground but what it does do is gives your company a more professional image and repeated custom from other residents. ED

[Roland S]

i've got a set of alloy poles for sale if you're interested. i use carbon now but for the occasional job alloy are ok.

like these ones Link here

[BDCS]

I use carbon poles but fishing tubes with a 135 degree bend with various sized and flat tubes to fit the gaps etc. I have an old 3000 watt vacuum that I rescued from a skip - it sucks better than the 4200 watt version sold by the company thats offered to sue me several times - I did mention the fact that I do actually own the kit they sell and the other BD cleaning is in London and Exeter. I have a Stephill Honda 6KVA generator. I also have the Omni power pole that I've modified several hooks etc that fit in the small QR but the beauty of this is that you can unblock swan necks from the ground. The alloy poles sit down the yard as spares. I have a camera but seldom use it. I still like to have and use the ladders as you cannot always get the vac through houses - its huge which is why I'm looking at a replacement soon. I also have a row of 3 storey houses with a parapet gutter and resident gull population that are a carp design and have to be cleared regularly of the bedrooms flood, these cannot be done from the ground.
I use a gutter scoop on a painters pole to allow me to pull over 4 m of gutter with one ladder movement.
You need to be able to use and need both systems with the option of a mewp when you get stuck.
A good wet vac will be very useful in other areas - get 3 motors because you can turn the third off but not on off if its still at the factory.
Alloy poles are a work out if you use them regular but worse if you don't

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers guys, I appreciate all the info.

With the bends and things for the end of the poles, do you guys make your own? or can you buy different style fittings for different style gutters?

How do the carbon poles fit together? tapered ends?
And just HOW much of a workout are the ali poles? I don't mind buying good quality gear that's going to make my job easier, but when the price difference is that much, and i wont be using them for long periods, are the carbon poles really worth it?

I've got a 5kva generator, so i was looking at the triple motor vacs.

[chris scott]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APS-135-Degree-Silicone-Silicon-Hose-Elbow-Bend-Rubber-Coolant-Radiator-Pipe-/360592207622?pt=UK_Car_Parts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&var=&hash=item53f4f86f06
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APS-Straight-Length-Reducer-Silicone-Silicon-Hose-Rubber-Coolant-Radiator-Pipe-/360608811461?pt=UK_Car_Parts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&var=&hash=item53f5f
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Round-Tube-38mm-40mm-41mm-44mm-48mm-50mm-57mm-diameters-many-lengths-/161068974087?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling.. _Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&var=460191530739&hash=item2580758007
Carbon poles are tapered fit. You will regret buying ally. These people are the cheapest ( http://www.carbonfibretubes.co.uk/about.html#contact ) but you have to buy 6 or 8 of them to make it worth while. ( from memory the poles are 2.5 m not 2.0 m as most so price will reflect this)

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers Chris,

So just buy a short piece of ali tube and flatten/squash it to make the end fittings?

[Roland S]

Buy the carbon poles ...ally ones are too much of a work out.
Air flow (lpermin) and  inH2Ois what you need to check for the vac ...sucking power. Some big motors (watts) don't suck any better than a decent small one but you need a massive "Genny" to run them.
I prefer round body vacs .You can fit them with a gorilla bucket  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gorilla-Tubs-Gorilla-Tub-Extra-Large-75-Litre-Bucket-Muck-/310707479187?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item48579be293 Drill a few holes in the bottom and make a filter from geotextile membrane. The water goes through but the crap stays in the bucket...easy to empty.
We also have telescopic ally decorators poles http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-1x-Decorators-Extension-Pole-Quality-Professional-Standard-Tool-/350698956932?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item51a7496884 with various attachments gaffer taped to the end to break up the lumps.
We use a back pack blower to clean downspouts http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sthil-backpack-blower-BR380-/161130460361?pt=UK_Home_Garden_GardenPowerTools_CA&hash=item25841fb4c9 ...blow from the bottom up! Make a rubber "gasket " to fit the blower to the downspout to get maximum airflow . Draw rods if its compacted http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Greenbrook-10M-Fibreglass-Draw-Rod-Kit-Quality-flexible-rods-hook-eye-/330879218681?pt=UK_Baby_BabyFeedingUtensils_EH&hash=item4d09f033f9
We use a go pro http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GoPro-Hero-3-Black-Adventure-and-Battery-BacPac-Bundle-from-UK-Stock-Genuine-/261203202804?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_Camcorders&hash=item3cd0ec92f4   to inspect joints and make sure it's clean

the gorilla bucket seems like a good idea, i might try that.

regarding the gopro camera does that transmit to something or do you film it and then lower it down and watch it on the camera itself? i currently use a cheap wireless camera like this  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290690713604?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 but the quality is not the best and i would like something better quality for when commercial customers request a camera survey. also are they easy to fit to the pole?

[chris scott]

Yes just cut and squash the tube for different "nozzles"

The go pro is wireless so it transmits to your smart phone or cheap bluetooth tablet. Although there is a 2 second delay .You can monitor what you are doing,take pictures or video.The go pro is controlled from a free downloadable App on your phone   http://gopro.com/software-app/gopro-app.
Attach useing this http://gopro.com/camera-mounts/roll-bar-mount

[Matt Gibson]

Right,

I've made a few enquiries and i think i have a good idea of what im going for. Just waiting to hear back from the carbon fibre pole place about prices. Chris, do you know roughly how much a length of the tube from that site you posted costs?

Whats the best size tube to get? The vac im looking at comes with a 50mm port, so about 45mm pole? 50mm pole?

And what kind of end "nozzles" does everyone use? im sure you can get away with just a standar nozzle type on most houses, but what other nozzles does everyone have?

[chris scott]

50mm seems to "industry standard " but anything around that will do. I cannot remember the exact price from there but it was the same price as every other supplier minus there profit .The only down side was i think you had a min order of 6/8 lengths ...phone them up they are really helpful. Just cut a few 8" lengths of aluminum and keep them in van ...batter them into shape to suit the gutter.I mainly use one "nozzle" although having a narrower one for closer fitting tiles is handy.

[Roland S]

chris i'm just about to take the plunge and buy that gopro camera. as its quote a lot of money i just wanted to check does it take very clear video of gutters? is it auto focus?

[concept]

chris i'm just about to take the plunge and buy that gopro camera. as its quote a lot of money i just wanted to check does it take very clear video of gutters? is it auto focus?

We use gopro too, unbelievable quality. Get the best you can afford, we use a hero 3 black, which is great in low light conditions.

[Roland S]

thanks 

[chris scott]

The gopro can be seen firmly attached    .....1m.30s onwards one can observe the reproduction quality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYMkn07wPso

[Roland S]

The gopro can be seen firmly attached    .....1m.30s onwards one can observe the reproduction quality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYMkn07wPso

thanks, all ordered with memory card and roll bar bracket. do you keep the underwater housing on the camera when filming?

[Matt Gibson]

Any other cheaper options than the gopro? not sure the money would be worth it only using it now and then.

[Matt Gibson]

Ive had a look at the go pros, probably better buying one. the cheaper cams/screens arent much cheaper to be honest.

How do you mount your phone while your using the camera? do you mount it to the base of the tubes? if so, how?

[concept]

Normally gutters are a 2 man job, just a lot quicker, so one holds an iPad as the other operates.

[AndyDS]

Here is another option, you will have to find a way of fixing it to your poles though.
Someone on another thread in General cleaning Issues bought one for his vac system. You may be able to search for him on here, and ask for his opinion.
It looks OK though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261055138308?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Regards, Andy

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers guys, much appreciated.

[Roland S]

the camera and screen that andy has just linked to is the exact one i have been using up until now. it's usable, but i wanted something a bit better.

[Matt Gibson]

Roland, how did you attached the camera and screen to your poles?

[TheWindowManChris]

Ive had a look at the go pros, probably better buying one. the cheaper cams/screens arent much cheaper to be honest.

How do you mount your phone while your using the camera? do you mount it to the base of the tubes? if so, how?

We got iPad sleeve which operator hand goes thru and his hand supports the iPad

[Roland S]

Roland, how did you attached the camera and screen to your poles?

i used 2" tool clips. on thoise cameras there's a threaded hole, and i just used a 4mm or 6mm bolt through the tool clip into the camera. the camera screen i did the same through a plastic clip on the back. if you do decide to go down that route i'll send you some photos.

[Matt Gibson]

Right, couple more questions before i put my order in.

Carbon tubes, are they fragile? easy to break with normal day to day use? I dont want to be replacing them after a little knock.

Also, vacuum hose cuffs etc. The poles im looking at are 50mm OD, can you buy spare hose cuffs that size?

should i go for smooth bore internal vac hose?

And what degree bend for the head?

Im assuming i will be able to get a sillicone bend with a 50mm opening, but what about the othe end? (Nozzle end) is it best to get a reducing piece of sillicone abd use a smaller tube for the nozzle?

Cheers fellas.

[concept]

Right, couple more questions before i put my order in.

Carbon tubes, are they fragile? easy to break with normal day to day use? I dont want to be replacing them after a little knock.

Also, vacuum hose cuffs etc. The poles im looking at are 50mm OD, can you buy spare hose cuffs that size?

should i go for smooth bore internal vac hose?

And what degree bend for the head?

Im assuming i will be able to get a sillicone bend with a 50mm opening, but what about the othe end? (Nozzle end) is it best to get a reducing piece of sillicone abd use a smaller tube for the nozzle?

Cheers fellas.

Speak to Oliver at Grippatank, tell him Simon sent you.

[Matt Gibson]

Hi mate, ive had a look at grippas stuff. Pretty pricey. Im putting together my own set up. Just wanted some advice.

Cheers anyway.

[Roland S]

Right, couple more questions before i put my order in.

Carbon tubes, are they fragile? easy to break with normal day to day use? I dont want to be replacing them after a little knock.

Also, vacuum hose cuffs etc. The poles im looking at are 50mm OD, can you buy spare hose cuffs that size?

should i go for smooth bore internal vac hose?

And what degree bend for the head?

Im assuming i will be able to get a sillicone bend with a 50mm opening, but what about the othe end? (Nozzle end) is it best to get a reducing piece of sillicone abd use a smaller tube for the nozzle?

Cheers fellas.

Carbon tubes are strong unless you tread on them, then they crush quite easily. You will have more of a problem of the joints wearing out from constant use even if you do keep them clean from grit and muck.

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers mate. What i should have asked is how long with the carbon tubes last if i keep them in good nick? How long before i need to replace from general wear n tear or the joints wearing out or anything else. Bit costly to be replacing regularly.

[Matt Gibson]

Roland, how did you attached the camera and screen to your poles?

i used 2" tool clips. on thoise cameras there's a threaded hole, and i just used a 4mm or 6mm bolt through the tool clip into the camera. the camera screen i did the same through a plastic clip on the back. if you do decide to go down that route i'll send you some photos.

Roland,

Im gonna buy the camera you used to use. Could you send me some pictures of how you mounted it, and any links of the tool clips you used if possible.

Cheers mate.

[Roland S]

Hi matt I'll take a couple if pics tomorrow

[Matt Gibson]

Thanks mate.

[Roland S]

hi matt

here you go, this is what i did for the camera. there's not a huge amount of thread to screw into, so the black tape you can see is just in case it comes off. you could use some loctite or something instead.







for the screen i just screwed through the flap, but if i was doing it again i would take the flap off and use velcro instead.

[drive surgeon]

Looks good this. We are thinking of a camera set up ourselves.

[JetVac Cleaning]

i've got a set of alloy poles for sale if you're interested. i use carbon now but for the occasional job alloy are ok.

like these ones Link here

hi how much are you looking for for your poles? Also how long are they and could you send a pic to jetvaccleaning@hotmail.co.uk thanks

[mike1986]

I recently bought this

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gutter-Cleaning-Vacuum-Machine-Gutter-Sucker-Gold-6-Pole-9-metres-System-/350872697975?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item51b1a47c77

used it today for the first time and i think its excellent. Worked out the same price to buy this than to put one together myself. I have nothing to compare it to as its the first ive owned but i found it very powerful, the poles are light (although only 30% carbon i think) plus you get the carry bag with all the attachments etc.. It also looks really smart! Customer was very impressed.

[Roland S]

i've got a set of alloy poles for sale if you're interested. i use carbon now but for the occasional job alloy are ok.

like these ones Link here

hi how much are you looking for for your poles? Also how long are they and could you send a pic to jetvaccleaning@hotmail.co.uk thanks

hi david

i'll take some pics ofver the next day or two and contact you.