Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Fin Clearview on December 01, 2013, 08:02:44 pm

Title: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Fin Clearview on December 01, 2013, 08:02:44 pm
Me and a mate have used our vac over the past 2 weekends and although it's been good we have had our fair share of blockages and tried to find ways of clearing the gutter but avoiding regular blockages..not easy! We're wondering what anyone else does?

Things we've learnt...
1. The hosing gets blocked even though it's 51mm so we have to wave it from nozzle down to hoover to clear it.
2. The goose neck gets regularly blocked so we use a bit of 13mm hose to clear.
3. The poles get clogged and blocked so either a rinse if possible or use an old unger tele plus pole to clear.
4. When clearing a full gutter we first 'bounce' the nozzle on the debris to clear a little at a time otherwise if you try and suck the lot at once it will block.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Geoff on December 01, 2013, 08:15:44 pm
Odd, isn't it?  You go from blocked gutter, to blocked gutter vac.

I have yet to find a blocked ladder.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: SeanK on December 01, 2013, 08:24:17 pm
You need to break up the dirt with a gutter spike before using the vac this way it wont get
blocked.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: James Bulton on December 01, 2013, 08:26:05 pm
What I do with some gutters is feed the vac pole along the length of the gutter O K I do use a ladder but it does reduce the gutter that are inclined to block pipes.This is for the odd problem gutter with pine needles etc. My Nilfisk has a blower out fitting so just blow the tubes clear. I JUST MOVE THE PIPE ON THE VAC FROM INLET TO EXIT.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Aqua Power Solutions on December 01, 2013, 08:26:32 pm
It sounds to me that you dont have enough suction power coming from your vac . How big is your motor ?
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Geoff on December 01, 2013, 08:27:32 pm
Mine's a 1.2 Renault Clio.

Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Fin Clearview on December 01, 2013, 08:31:14 pm
What's odd? A blocked vac rather than a ladder that could potentially 'block' you from enjoying the rest of your life.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: bobplum on December 01, 2013, 08:31:59 pm
Odd, isn't it?  You go from blocked gutter, to blocked gutter vac.

I have yet to find a blocked ladder.
;D ;D
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Fin Clearview on December 01, 2013, 08:33:10 pm
It sounds to me that you dont have enough suction power coming from your vac . How big is your motor ?

2400 Numatic with cyclonic entry which apparently boosts the motor by 25%.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Fin Clearview on December 01, 2013, 08:36:23 pm
What I do with some gutters is feed the vac pole along the length of the gutter O K I do use a ladder but it does reduce the gutter that are inclined to block pipes.This is for the odd problem gutter with pine needles etc. My Nilfisk has a blower out fitting so just blow the tubes clear. I JUST MOVE THE PIPE ON THE VAC FROM INLET TO EXIT.

Hadn't thought of using the exhaust for that, cheers for the tip.
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Cliff perkins on December 01, 2013, 08:37:37 pm
If u get a blockage in pipe stuff the other end under an outside tap and fill it with water to blast the crap out.
You will get blockages no matter what im afraid.
Regards
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: trippyboy on December 01, 2013, 08:38:28 pm
I find it easier sometimes to hoover whilst standing on the ladder. I use a ladder stand odd so am away from the gutter, I have the one which allows you to get up on a corner of a building if necessary. I carry a bit skewer with me as on the very rare occasions the gooseneck will block. I also steady the ladder if on a path with two full 25LITRE barrells
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Cliff perkins on December 01, 2013, 08:39:47 pm
Also i bucket of water nearby to suck that through evry now and then
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Avo on December 02, 2013, 02:32:50 pm
Also i bucket of water nearby to suck that through every now and then
+1 the same some guttering you need to flush with water on each side you clean.. It's the sandy "tile dust" cleans when there wet it's very sticky stuff  and needs regular flushing, never had one block up on me thou only pine needle jobs seem to be a pain

Poor suction vac check the performance of your Hoover are my thoughts
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: trevor povey on December 04, 2013, 08:26:42 pm
 
  blast the gutters out with your power pole ...then vac out..I wouldn,t do without mine but TBH the 4 ot 5 jobs I use it on have been regular cleaned by me for the past 20 yrs....guters packed up with poop and growing weeds out the vac wont do it...get them off ladders if normal sized house ..anything higher dont bother with it unless you have access to a lifter
Title: Re: Gutter vac tips & tricks?
Post by: Fin Clearview on December 04, 2013, 09:15:53 pm
Also i bucket of water nearby to suck that through every now and then
+1 the same some guttering you need to flush with water on each side you clean.. It's the sandy "tile dust" cleans when there wet it's very sticky stuff  and needs regular flushing, never had one block up on me thou only pine needle jobs seem to be a pain

Poor suction vac check the performance of your Hoover are my thoughts

We've got a brand new Numatic, Grippa sell the same spec hoover and i spoke to a geek at Numatic who deals with the gutter vacs and this hoover is more than up to domestic usage so i know its not the machine. Like Cliff said i think its just the nature of the job.