Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: TomCrowther on May 10, 2014, 04:31:23 pm

Title: where to draw the line?
Post by: TomCrowther on May 10, 2014, 04:31:23 pm

I do Windows, gutters, powerwashing driveways and patios and even the odd roof.
Did an industrial gutter job yesterday on a big unit in Manchester. There is a tree stump, complete with root system that has grown up the downspout and into the drain. I want to do the best job possible but don't really want to start into groundworks.
How far do you go?? The tree has been felled but stump an roots remain. All ready flooded into the warehouse.
Would you give a price for removing the roots and stump or tell the customer to get another company in. I don't like leaving money on the table  :-[

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: deeege on May 10, 2014, 04:42:38 pm

Personally I wouldn't get involved in removing tree stumps. Without the correct equipment (a stump grinder) it would probably be a nightmare.

You could get a price from a professional to grind it out and put a percentage on for yourself though.

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: Smudger on May 10, 2014, 04:46:43 pm

I would advise to get in a builder or dyno rod (et al) you quoted for gutter clearing
Not drains.

Darran

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: TomCrowther on May 10, 2014, 04:58:48 pm

What makes it even trickier, the tree grew around the downspout, right up against the wall. Pain in the drain.

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: Smudger on May 10, 2014, 05:04:50 pm

So not in the down pipe, therefore not blocking it ?

Not your problem

Darran

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: Norbert on May 10, 2014, 05:14:23 pm

Have to agree with Darren regards the job Tom.

The company need a profession this one, a company with camera's that can get into the drain system to see the internal damage. I have some experience of ground work and drains from working on building sites many years ago, and its a specialised job. And can be very costly, especially with large commercial drains as this one.

Best advice you can give the company is for them to seek a specialist drain company with all the correct equipment and save yourself a whole lot of trouble and possible cost in trying to do it yourself. If it goes t*ts up, you'll loose you're good reputation with company.

Regards Phil

 

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: TomCrowther on May 10, 2014, 05:31:39 pm

Yeah, cheers guys. I could imagine it going pear shaped quite easily..

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: Window Lickers on May 10, 2014, 06:23:21 pm

You could do a bit of pointing up whilst your at it, paint the window frames, re-mastic the plastics and Tarmac a new drive. I hear drugs aren't quite as profitable as they might've been but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

Title: Re: where to draw the line?
Post by: Paul Coleman on May 10, 2014, 10:28:46 pm

Another thing to consider - depending on what sort of tree it is (was?).  Some roots can grow under foundations and removing the tree stump may lead to underpinning problems.
I add my voice to those saying leave well alone.