Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: David stewart on August 04, 2012, 02:51:11 pm

Title: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: David stewart on August 04, 2012, 02:51:11 pm
Getting a lot of gutter cleans at the minute, I'm cleaning them the traditional way with a ladder and bucket clearing them out but I'm just wondering what are people views on the vac? Are they worth the money when it comes to getting rid of grass growing out of spouting? And what model would be the best to go for?
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Smudger on August 04, 2012, 05:18:59 pm
Cant beat a gutter vac just beacause of the health and safety aspect alone

we have yet to have anything defeat us in the way of weeds/plants and blockages etc...

personally i'd go for as powerful one as you can afford but some on here seem to be getting good results
with a mere 1400 watt vac

Darran
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: brad t on August 04, 2012, 05:43:38 pm
I have used a clarke vac for a year and had to get the ladders out on one s bend ;D
It tuck the knock last week so i got a nilfisk alto for £90 from machine mart, used it to day on gutters that had alot of grass and mud in them not a problem.
If anyone use's a clarke vac go and get this vac its alot better, it was picking up 2-3 feet bits of grass with all the mud still on, got photos on my phone of some of the bits it was picking up i will put them on when i find the wire for my phone.
it is 3x stronger than the clarke and still only 1400w ;)
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Blast Away on August 04, 2012, 06:40:28 pm
I'd say 1 in 3 jobs we have to get the ladder off the van to pull out what the vac can't get.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: David stewart on August 04, 2012, 07:20:56 pm
Cheers for the info lads, will have to clear out the missus' bank account and get one sorted ;D
Today's wasn't half dodgy on the ladder though the stand off attachment is a good job.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Afterglow Window Cleaners on August 04, 2012, 09:30:12 pm
Hey Bradleys windows, is it this vac you bought?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7152023.htm

cheers, Gary
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Barnes Wallis on August 04, 2012, 09:40:48 pm
Gutter vacuums are rubbish.


This is a unbiased opinion.


Just ask Toch who is never biased in favour of anything, especially if it offends the Establishment.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: brad t on August 04, 2012, 10:22:00 pm
No Gazza that one is 1800w and would be better, its the same make but the one i got is 1400w like the clarke ones but got alot more power.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Barnes Wallis on August 04, 2012, 10:49:17 pm
No Gazza that one is 1800w and would be better, its the same make but the one i got is 1400w like the clarke ones but got alot more power.

You can say that again, Mr Spammer-Sausage.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Total shine cleaning services on August 05, 2012, 01:21:39 am
Gutter vacs are amazing at bringing in more work and I constantly price a lot higher after telling my customers that my Clarke 30 costs thousands, for some reason if you supply specialist gear you can charge more,

Graham
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: KS Cleaning on August 05, 2012, 01:27:10 am
Gutter vacs are amazing at bringing in more work and I constantly price a lot higher after telling my customers that my Clarke 30 costs thousands, for some reason if you supply specialist gear you can charge more,

Graham
Candidate for the next series of rogue traders ;D
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: dean33 on August 05, 2012, 09:41:40 am
What do buy next for reaching the gutters, where from and how much?
 :)
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: bobplum on August 05, 2012, 10:33:59 am
I have used a clarke vac for a year and had to get the ladders out on one s bend ;D
It tuck the knock last week so i got a nilfisk alto for £90 from machine mart, used it to day on gutters that had alot of grass and mud in them not a problem.
If anyone use's a clarke vac go and get this vac its alot better, it was picking up 2-3 feet bits of grass with all the mud still on, got photos on my phone of some of the bits it was picking up i will put them on when i find the wire for my phone.
it is 3x stronger than the clarke and still only 1400w ;)

can i just ask
what did you use to extend the pole section to reach the gutters
thanks
bob
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: brad t on August 05, 2012, 09:11:11 pm
Bob i just use 50mm down pipe ;) look at the post £100 gutter vac.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: LBWCS on August 06, 2012, 06:14:11 pm
I have used a clarke vac for a year and had to get the ladders out on one s bend ;D
It tuck the knock last week so i got a nilfisk alto for £90 from machine mart, used it to day on gutters that had alot of grass and mud in them not a problem.
If anyone use's a clarke vac go and get this vac its alot better, it was picking up 2-3 feet bits of grass with all the mud still on, got photos on my phone of some of the bits it was picking up i will put them on when i find the wire for my phone.
it is 3x stronger than the clarke and still only 1400w ;)

Any chance of a link?Thanks
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: brad t on August 06, 2012, 08:39:08 pm
its in machine mart £99 and its blue, am crap with links sorry.
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: LBWCS on August 06, 2012, 10:02:39 pm
can only see one for £114 or £89. is it this one?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/nilfisk-multi-20t-wet-dry-vacuum-cleaner?da=1&TC=SRC-nilfisk
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: brad t on August 06, 2012, 10:52:07 pm
sorry mate, yes thats the one :-[
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: Dave. on August 07, 2012, 08:44:16 am
I usually use my karcher vac set up, with a generator.  On the last few I've done I've had several badly blocked down pipes, which the vac hasn't totally cleared - so I've had to get the ladders out.

I'm doing a gutter clear today and shall be taking my pressure washer and 24' lance with some special adapted ends.  One hooks over the guttering and blasts a jet both ways to each side - along the guttering.  The other hooks over the guttering and blasts a jet straight down - hopefully this is the one for unblocking downpipes.

I'm going to whizz round with the vac first and get the worst of the crud out, then switch to power washer

I gave the gutters a quick survey with my mirror and pole and they are pretty blocked up.  I've priced it accordingly ;)

Dave

It's pouring with rain at the mo though!
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: steve rix on August 07, 2012, 10:58:27 am
Is t not enough thad we have  w/c trad vs wfp without gutter cleraring trad vs vac?
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: LBWCS on August 07, 2012, 12:36:09 pm
Is t not enough thad we have  w/c trad vs wfp without gutter cleraring trad vs vac?

Haha.
Will be buying the nilfisk this week thanks for the advice! What accessories would you recommend as I have nothing at the moment
Title: Re: Gutter vac versus traditional method
Post by: LBWCS on August 07, 2012, 10:51:10 pm
For a few extra quid is
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7152023.htm

This worth getting instead of the 1400w?