Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: delboy on December 26, 2014, 06:40:32 pm
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I now completely do everything wfp and no longer even carry ladders on the van,except a tiny ladder for conservatory roof cleans.I don't currently offer a gutter clearing service,but am looking at maybe getting a gutter vac and adding this to my list of services.my question is do any of you guys offer this service and only use the gutter vac and get away with never using ladders?is this possible?
Thanks in advance guys......oh and merry xmas fellow windies :)
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ive never tried a gutter vac but its something im looking at as i hope to be virtually ladder free in the future but i think theres some jobs surely you cant get everywhere in the gutters with things like roof slates that slide into the gutters or gutters that have been fitted poorly and too close to the tiles?
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We got a gutter vac this year as whenever I was asked to do gutter jobs I didn't want to go up a ladder as we are wfp , how can you bang on about safety with window cleaning then go up a ladder to do a gutter clean . What I would say is if your busy enough cleaning windows then don't worry about gutter cleaning the only reason i got one was there are now 2 of us so I'm not so busy cleaning windows Marc
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Ladders free ???
Well, yes although there are plenty who will argue otherwise, comes down to your equipment really.
Having done somewhere near 1000 clears over the last few years we have never needed ladders to clear gutters and down pipes
Darran
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hi smudger how have you got the vac into places like where slates have come forward into the gutter, i presume the vac sucks from the side of the slate?
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If you have a solid pole, ( ie ali or carbon ) and mos importantly the top bend you can simply get on the leading edge of the slate or tile and push in back into place.
If you have a silicone bend then you can't do it.
Darran
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cool cheers fella ;)
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Although we have a gutter vac we don't use it that often because the gap between the tiles /slate and the gutter are not wide enough in many cases. And to be honest it is often faster with the ladder.
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You need a range of nozzle ends, this will help with narrow access
Darran
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Darran, does the gutter vac have enough power to unblock downpipes or do you use the old method of removing the bottom section and pushing a hose up it to clear it?
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Generally it has enough to pull out the plug (blockage) it's helpful if it's wet as this form a better seal around the nozzle end.
If the down pipe is blocked at the bottom we then take it apart as an extra service
Darran
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Generally it has enough to pull out the plug (blockage) it's helpful if it's wet as this form a better seal around the nozzle end.
If the down pipe is blocked at the bottom we then take it apart as an extra service
Darran
It's probably been asked before on here but what model of gutter vac are you using? Have a Clarke one with alloy poles and while it's ok I am thinking of updating to something more powerful and carbon poles etc
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Omni vac ( now over 5 yr old ). Upgraded to carbon poles earlier this year, made a big difference on the larger properties 8)
The new nilfisk with suck and blow is supposed to be really good
Darran
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Omni vac ( now over 5 yr old ). Upgraded to carbon poles earlier this year, made a big difference on the larger properties 8)
The new nilfisk with suck and blow is supposed to be really good
Darran
Thanks I must check them out here :)
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For the carbon poles I have a link to the supplier, they are a good third cheaper than any of the gutter vac suppliers
Darran
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Who does the cheaper carbon poles
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http://carbonfibretubes.co.uk
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Hi Darren, is it the 50.3external diameter you go for, and do they push together or do you need to get the ends tapered..?
Thanks
Graham
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How much per 2.5m length do they work out at polorbrite is £75 per 2m with tapered ends
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Yes 50.3 o/d yes the ends are tapered so modular fitting, although they do a collar version as well if you prefer but you need to email them.
2.5 meter length was £71 + vat
Polarbrite is £75 + vat for a 2 meter length.
A little more compedative than they were several months ago
Darran
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Wait 'till the end section falls off the guttering - might wish you had ladders then. Also I've had the top section of my pole left swinging from the gutter a couple of times ;D.
I hate ladders but personally I wouldn't offer a gutter cleaning service without them. I've had 's' bends so badly blocked that they couldn't be cleared by hand let alone a vac - they had to be dismantled and brought down. Nozzles sometimes catch and knock the clip apart - watch out for that.