Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Smiths Cleaning on July 15, 2014, 12:25:36 pm

Title: Gutter clearing
Post by: Smiths Cleaning on July 15, 2014, 12:25:36 pm
Has anyone got any experience with the vacuum gutter cleaners that are now around I've been reading a few reviews but I don't think you can beat the honest "review" you get here.
I was hoping to splash out and get one that would extend to 60ft so any comments, observations good or bad would be helpful
Thanks
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: drive surgeon on July 15, 2014, 02:57:48 pm
Ladders and cherry picker best. Our vac doesn't get big plants and grass out or big pieces of broken tiles that are very common. We always end up getting up there. Plus a lot of tiles overhang the gutters that much you can barely get your fingers in.  Vacs can be handy but to do job properly u need to be up there on a lot of jobs.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Richy L on July 15, 2014, 03:22:51 pm
Gutter vacs are a useful tool for high level stuff. But sometimes you will need to use a cherry picker.
Sometimes it is easier to get the ladders out rather than set up the gutter vac for lower gutters.

You need a gennie as well as using the customers electric supply causes too many problems and looks a bit amateur IMO.

My gutter vac goes to 40ft with carbon fibre poles. I wouldnt want to go above 40ft with them though. You will not be able to control it safely at 60ft and even with carbon fibre it will be far too heavy to use for any length of time.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: drive surgeon on July 15, 2014, 04:42:47 pm
What probs have u had using custys elec supply Richie? Using a granny uses more juice so surely you would have to charge even more? 
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Richy L on July 15, 2014, 05:03:45 pm
What I mean by problems is that your customer will have to be in at the time(or have an outside power point). Whereas if you have a generator you can do the job if the customer is at work.

Also when doing commercial jobs using a power supply may not be possible due to trailing leads and you may have to work a long way from a power point when cleaning industrial units.

If you clean the gutters on apartment blocks you will likely not have access to any power.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: wpclean on July 15, 2014, 05:40:50 pm
The genny doesn't use that much petrol for most jobs  take an hour or so to do, also if you are using a powerful vac around 3-4 kw there is always the chance you are going to trip the custies electic.
We have a small clark vac that does most domestic properties, but on bigger jobs we use Kevins machine which holds a lot more waste.
The biggest problem we are having at the moment is the carbon fibre tubes sticking together . . . I have had three lengths stuck together on the roof rack  ;D
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: drive surgeon on July 15, 2014, 06:25:40 pm
We don't like doing too many jobs while custys are out as it means calling back for payment which is wasted fuel and time usually evenings. We haven't had any problems using custys electric.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: drive surgeon on July 15, 2014, 06:26:57 pm
We use Kevin's too
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: wpclean on July 15, 2014, 06:38:38 pm
We don't like doing too many jobs while custys are out as it means calling back for payment which is wasted fuel and time usually evenings. We haven't had any problems using custys electric.
Just leave an invoice with your bank account details, and addressed envelope for sending a cheque  ;D
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Richy L on July 15, 2014, 07:58:40 pm
We don't like doing too many jobs while custys are out as it means calling back for payment which is wasted fuel and time usually evenings. We haven't had any problems using custys electric.
Just leave an invoice with your bank account details, and addressed envelope for sending a cheque  ;D

That's what I do. I never call back for payment.
I email bank details or address to send a cheque.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: drive surgeon on July 15, 2014, 09:07:30 pm
We don't except cheques. Wouldn't wipe my arse with one. It's like waiting another week to be paid.  Bank transfer or cash only.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Richy L on July 15, 2014, 11:30:31 pm
Its all good for me. As long as they pay I dont mind.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Matt Gibson on July 16, 2014, 07:07:47 am
We don't except cheques. Wouldn't wipe my arse with one. It's like waiting another week to be paid.  Bank transfer or cash only.

Moneys money.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: BDCS on July 16, 2014, 08:42:45 am
I've even got paypal on my e mail invoices
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Kev Martin on July 16, 2014, 01:40:39 pm
Strangely enough we don't take cash!  It costs us 1.7% to pay it in our business account and I have to send someone to the bank to do the paying in.

We accept
Cheques
Credit / Debit Cards
Paypal
BACS Transfer

This way the customer has no excuse

Kev Martin
Tiloing Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: jim mca on July 16, 2014, 03:30:32 pm
CASH is king  ;D
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: JandS on August 30, 2014, 02:48:19 pm
You got a link to Kev's machine....can't find it on his website.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: wpclean on August 30, 2014, 04:24:43 pm
You got a link to Kev's machine....can't find it on his website.
http://www.tilinglogistics.co.uk/Flood-EQPT-Industrial-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-3x100watt-motors?filter_name=vacuum

Couldn't find the vac without the pump, but he does one that looks the same as the above, just give him a call.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: J.D on August 31, 2014, 09:12:42 am
Gutter vacs are a useful tool for high level stuff. But sometimes you will need to use a cherry picker.
Sometimes it is easier to get the ladders out rather than set up the gutter vac for lower gutters.

You need a gennie as well as using the customers electric supply causes too many problems and looks a bit amateur IMO.

My gutter vac goes to 40ft with carbon fibre poles. I wouldnt want to go above 40ft with them though. You will not be able to control it safely at 60ft and even with carbon fibre it will be far too heavy to use for any length of time.

+1   (just add a tenner onto price for using your own power supply.)
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Randall on September 16, 2014, 05:38:52 am
Been doing it for 24 years. The only way to really get a gutter clean is by hand. Especially if it is impacted. You can get away with using a vac if it is a small amount of debree.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: johnny bravo on September 16, 2014, 01:32:54 pm
tool hire shops hire 12-14 triple extension ladders for those higher than a house,   around £20-25,  get them on a sat,  you will have them till monday. ;D
this is what i am doing for a job i have.     only 2 sections , around 10 feet section each, rest easy done by double extension easilly.

£160 for a mornings work.       - £25, ladders         another job to add onto your website,  good references for future customers.
this is how i want to build up my bussiness.     happy customers to recomend you
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Rob@Blast off on September 16, 2014, 04:28:21 pm
£160  :o I had someone call yesterday wanting the gutters emptyed on a large three bed semi so i quoted him £50 to do the front and rear and he almost had a fit! so i asked him how much he was expecting to pay and he said oh about £20, yeah good luck with that!
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: wpclean on September 16, 2014, 05:09:36 pm
Been doing it for 24 years. The only way to really get a gutter clean is by hand. Especially if it is impacted. You can get away with using a vac if it is a small amount of debree.
Sorry but don't agree, the gutter vac will clean most jobs if you have a powerful vac, and the right attatchments.   
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Frankybadboy on September 16, 2014, 05:26:22 pm
Been doing it for 24 years. The only way to really get a gutter clean is by hand. Especially if it is impacted. You can get away with using a vac if it is a small amount of debree.
Sorry but don't agree, the gutter vac will clean most jobs if you have a powerful vac, and the right attatchments.   
somone who never used a vac then  ::)roll :o
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: drive surgeon on September 16, 2014, 06:23:13 pm
£160  :o I had someone call yesterday wanting the gutters emptyed on a large three bed semi so i quoted him £50 to do the front and rear and he almost had a fit! so i asked him how much he was expecting to pay and he said oh about £20, yeah good luck with that!


These are the customers you don't want mate. The ones that want everything done for dirt cheap. You got to market it professionally. We have a minimum charge of £70 for any houser gutter cleaning. Otherwise it's not worth doing by the time you drive to the job, spend upto an hour there and then drive back, that could be 2 hours of time. You can't afford to do it for any less really.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: JandS on September 16, 2014, 06:24:08 pm
It works for me and is really fast on some gutters...only slight headache I have had as been with those with internal bracing struts every 18 inch.
Having said that still take ladder and pop up for a quick peek or to clear really big sods.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Kevin Miller on September 16, 2014, 07:42:42 pm
Got my first gutter clearing job tomorrow, was unsure what to quote so went in at £60 and they said fine
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Randall on September 18, 2014, 02:53:01 am
Make sure it has a lot of suction. I have had bad encounters with the ones I have used. Good luck.
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: Kevin Miller on September 18, 2014, 06:55:45 am
I used the pro gutter tools, fantastic piece of kit
Title: Re: Gutter clearing
Post by: JandS on September 20, 2014, 11:26:31 am
Just got an Ankalada off e bay for £42, looks a solid piece of kit.