Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: andy east sussex on April 02, 2016, 11:02:08 pm

Title: diy gutter vac
Post by: andy east sussex on April 02, 2016, 11:02:08 pm
anyone taken the time to build one yea sky vacs great but the price hmm thinking of getting wet and dry vac then build from that as seen few videos
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smudger on April 03, 2016, 08:57:32 am
Should be easy enough

Darran
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: the king on April 03, 2016, 07:25:18 pm
ide just buy a grippa vac £700 cant go rong realy and the moters are bullet proof good suction mine will lift a 1.5 kilo bag of dog food its not as power full as the sky vac industrel wich can lift 6 kilo but the grippa one is plenty power full anouth  for most jobs
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 11:09:08 am
I think you are bonkers spending that much on just a vac and ali poles myself when you could buy a whole budget package for that including a decent power vac and 100%  carbon poles from the likes of guttercleaningsystems  £745 or £795 for a 40' kit  ::)roll

http://www.guttercleaningsystems.co.uk/3000carbonfibrekits.html

Mind you the mirror that comes with it is a crap idea at any height so best get a chepo gopro type cam instead  ;D
I've also have never tried that package myself so you pays yer money and takes yer pick but looks ok to me for the dosh as would probably cost the same if not more to diy yourself one anyway by the time you have bought all the bits.

The only advantage to using a smaller type vac like the king has bought it has a smaller foot print thats all for fitting into a van and is a bit easier to move about being smaller and all.  The dissadvantage on using a smaller size vac you have to keep emptying more frequently on jobs so is not ideal when you do jobs like this.

 
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 11:44:43 am
From the sales side of things and turning up and using a bigger vac looks much more the part than using a smaller one too.
As they say size does really matter missus honestly  ;D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: a900 on April 04, 2016, 01:58:02 pm
Smurf, you had any smaller machines like the nilfisk multi30t? Wondering how you find it on suction compared. I brought the nilfisk not to long ago and find it awesome and for the price £109.

I do find the size fine for domestics. I like having a break from the poles to empty it. :D

Carbon poles from carbonfibertubes.co.uk
Silcon bends from autosiliconehoses.com
ends and adapters from go outdoors (fishing rod holder)
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 03:01:42 pm
Smurf, you had any smaller machines like the nilfisk multi30t? Wondering how you find it on suction compared. I brought the nilfisk not to long ago and find it awesome and for the price £109.

I do find the size fine for domestics. I like having a break from the poles to empty it. :D

Carbon poles from carbonfibertubes.co.uk
Silcon bends from autosiliconehoses.com
ends and adapters from go outdoors (fishing rod holder)

No I never owned one of those myself so can't say if any good or not but I've owned a few 3 motor vacs and even using omni 4200 watt vacs I've owned have struggled on some jobs so I can't really see a nilfisk multi30t 1400 watt single motor vac being much good to be honest.

Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 03:29:14 pm
Looks like  I'm the 5th emergancy service as I'm just poping out to sort out some guttering overflowing.
The chap when phoned said "do you use that big vac thing." My reply was I will see what needs doing first then will choose the best method required as can use ladders too if need be.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: robert mitchell on April 04, 2016, 04:51:38 pm
I think you are bonkers spending that much on just a vac and ali poles myself when you could buy a whole budget package for that including a decent power vac and 100%  carbon poles from the likes of guttercleaningsystems  £745 or £795 for a 40' kit  ::)roll

http://www.guttercleaningsystems.co.uk/3000carbonfibrekits.html

Mind you the mirror that comes with it is a crap idea at any height so best get a chepo gopro type cam instead  ;D
I've also have never tried that package myself so you pays yer money and takes yer pick but looks ok to me for the dosh as would probably cost the same if not more to diy yourself one anyway by the time you have bought all the bits.

The only advantage to using a smaller type vac like the king has bought it has a smaller foot print thats all for fitting into a van and is a bit easier to move about being smaller and all.  The dissadvantage on using a smaller size vac you have to keep emptying more frequently on jobs so is not ideal when you do jobs like this.

Grippa dont sell ali poles
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: the king on April 04, 2016, 05:38:36 pm
I think you are bonkers spending that much on just a vac and ali poles myself when you could buy a whole budget package for that including a decent power vac and 100%  carbon poles from the likes of guttercleaningsystems  £745 or £795 for a 40' kit  ::)roll

http://www.guttercleaningsystems.co.uk/3000carbonfibrekits.html

Mind you the mirror that comes with it is a crap idea at any height so best get a chepo gopro type cam instead  ;D
I've also have never tried that package myself so you pays yer money and takes yer pick but looks ok to me for the dosh as would probably cost the same if not more to diy yourself one anyway by the time you have bought all the bits.

The only advantage to using a smaller type vac like the king has bought it has a smaller foot print thats all for fitting into a van and is a bit easier to move about being smaller and all.  The dissadvantage on using a smaller size vac you have to keep emptying more frequently on jobs so is not ideal when you do jobs like this.
the grippa is plenty power anouth smurf 2400w with anty block side entery  persnly if i was you ide fit a side entery to that vac in the pic but each to there own also i got my airospace alli poles from lee martin there very lite and will last a life time unlike carbon but again each to there own :)
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: the king on April 04, 2016, 05:40:16 pm
my friend has the grippa and he has had it 6 years used it on huge commersel jobs never burnt a moter out yet they realy are bomb proof moters
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Nick Day on April 04, 2016, 05:51:22 pm
Just to clarify the mirror situation.
Alex and I were involved in a business where we had a very intensive risk assessment course, so we knew from the outset that using a camera whilst you clean risk assesses as a two man job.
That is we give a mirror with every kit or pole set.
A camera is essential for surveying and giving before and after pictures.
If you employ, subcontract of Franchise you should keep this in mind.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 05:52:48 pm
I personally think you don't really need a smaller side entry when you've got a 100 mm inlet on the drum. As you can see from the pics the crap still swirls around the drum just the same if you were using a side entry inlet.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 06:12:21 pm
Just to clarify the mirror situation.
Alex and I were involved in a business where we had a very intensive risk assessment course, so we knew from the outset that using a camera whilst you clean risk assesses as a two man job.
That is we give a mirror with every kit or pole set.
A camera is essential for surveying and giving before and after pictures.
If you employ, subcontract of Franchise you should keep this in mind.

Regarding using a gopro type camera on a guttervac pole to be able to see what you are doing in real time by having a smart phone mounted on the bottom of the pole under my risk assesment is actualy a one man job not two as your hands need never to come of the pole so you are in control of the pole at all times.

With respect those mirrors and I've used one or two identical to the ones you indlude in your package are as usless as a choclate fireguard above ground floor height as the angle has to be set just right and you need to be stood just right on the ground too . Also on jobs 3 - 4 storey up you have defo no chance in seeing bugger all using a mirror on a guttervac pole.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Nick Day on April 04, 2016, 06:25:54 pm
Smurf,

You've got very strong opinions and you are welcome to them.
But your risk assessment abilities are pitiful and dangerous.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 06:46:32 pm
Smurf,

You've got very strong opinions and you are welcome to them.
But your risk assessment abilities are pitiful and dangerous.

Don't have a go at me as I was the one that mentioned you guttervac kit as seems good value and just so happend to mention from experiance how crap that mirror idea was  ;D



Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Clever Forum Name on April 04, 2016, 07:07:36 pm
Careful Alan you will be running out of forums soon  ;D ;D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 07:33:12 pm
Careful Alan you will be running out of forums soon  ;D ;D

Then what will I do with my very strong opinions ;D  ;D

All I know from experience  what works best for me and if others don't agree or like what I say then that's ok with me too as I'm just trying to be honest.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Clever Forum Name on April 04, 2016, 07:39:19 pm
I think the mirror we had from somewhere lasted 1 or 2 houses before it broke.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 07:42:03 pm
I think the mirror we had from somewhere lasted 1 or 2 houses before it broke.

I broke so many I now have a 100 years bad luck  ;D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: robert mitchell on April 04, 2016, 07:46:49 pm
Smurf,

You've got very strong opinions and you are welcome to them.
But your risk assessment abilities are pitiful and dangerous.

Can you explain exactly why it is more dangerous to use a camera rather than a mirror please?
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Nick Day on April 04, 2016, 08:32:18 pm
To risk assess.

on a scale of 1-5 what is the chance of an accident (you can use fractions)
If you are looking directly ahead it has to be 5, You are going to miss all obstacles, wires, aerials etc. by not looking at up what you are doing and what is ahead.
If there was an accident what is the degree of harm 1-5.
Touch a live cable, serious injury or death therefore 5.
Multiply the two together.
You can then decide on a solution. Any number approaching twenty five (usually over twenty), you must cease all operations immediately.
At least with the mirror you are looking up all the time, and attached to the back of the head you can spin it around to view your work.
It isn't perfect. but it works.
We sell more of our mirrors to America than any other item.
I suspect they are more risk aware.

Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 08:39:48 pm
I goes without saying I'm obviously pitiful and dangorus doing this one with a gogpo and live feed  back down to the smart phone on the bottom of me poles...but at least I'm wearing me hard hat I suppose   ;D

Do I look for overhead cables etc = YES
Do I look down first before move my feet = YES
Do I look up most of the time = YES
Do I look straight a head all the time to look at the screen - NO don't be so bloody stupid Neil as I'm not that thick  ::)roll


Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: a900 on April 04, 2016, 08:43:18 pm
Personally, I only look at my camera display when I have the pole attachment rested in the gutter. That way there is no risk of the pole moving as I look down at the screen.

I did try phoning gutterclearingsystems.co.uk a few times and leaving a message when I was looking to get my vac system. They seemed value for money and would have had my money if I could get hold of them. All sorted now anyway.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Clever Forum Name on April 04, 2016, 08:45:15 pm
To risk assess.

on a scale of 1-5 what is the chance of an accident (you can use fractions)
If you are looking directly ahead it has to be 5, You are going to miss all obstacles, wires, aerials etc. by not looking at up what you are doing and what is ahead.
If there was an accident what is the degree of harm 1-5.
Touch a live cable, serious injury or death therefore 5.
Multiply the two together.
You can then decide on a solution. Any number approaching twenty five (usually over twenty), you must cease all operations immediately.
At least with the mirror you are looking up all the time, and attached to the back of the head you can spin it around to view your work.
It isn't perfect. but it works.
We sell more of our mirrors to America than any other item.
I suspect they are more risk aware.

Because they have dirty great big power lines running in residential areas that kill you. At least with a mirror you can look at your hair when you touch a power line.

As for looking up all the time, what happens when you trip over?

Its ok lads, just fit this on the pole  ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1459799066_lol.jpg)
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Nick Day on April 04, 2016, 08:59:05 pm
You are self employed and can do as you like.
You can come up with every excuse under the sun, but I can assure you that my interpretation is correct.
Smurf the reason I say you can be "dangerous" is because of your amount of posts people believe that you know what you are talking about.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 09:06:45 pm
To risk assess.

on a scale of 1-5 what is the chance of an accident (you can use fractions)
If you are looking directly ahead it has to be 5, You are going to miss all obstacles, wires, aerials etc. by not looking at up what you are doing and what is ahead.
If there was an accident what is the degree of harm 1-5.
Touch a live cable, serious injury or death therefore 5.
Multiply the two together.
You can then decide on a solution. Any number approaching twenty five (usually over twenty), you must cease all operations immediately.
At least with the mirror you are looking up all the time, and attached to the back of the head you can spin it around to view your work.
It isn't perfect. but it works.
We sell more of our mirrors to America than any other item.
I suspect they are more risk aware.

Because they have dirty great big power lines running in residential areas that kill you. At least with a mirror you can look at your hair when you touch a power line.

As for looking up all the time, what happens when you trip over?

Its ok lads, just fit this on the pole  ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1459799066_lol.jpg)

Is that the waiting room in A&E for guttervac related incidents Damo  ;D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 09:08:34 pm
You are self employed and can do as you like.
You can come up with every excuse under the sun, but I can assure you that my interpretation is correct.
Smurf the reason I say you can be "dangerous" is because of your amount of posts people believe that you know what you are talking about.

The funny thing is I do know what I'm talking about  ;D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: a900 on April 04, 2016, 09:09:45 pm
The other option which is much better than a Mirror is to record the footage of the gutter without looking at the screen and review afterwards. (In an entirely risk assessment agreeable place) While looking up at all times to avoid power lines.  ;D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Clever Forum Name on April 04, 2016, 09:11:44 pm
To risk assess.

on a scale of 1-5 what is the chance of an accident (you can use fractions)
If you are looking directly ahead it has to be 5, You are going to miss all obstacles, wires, aerials etc. by not looking at up what you are doing and what is ahead.
If there was an accident what is the degree of harm 1-5.
Touch a live cable, serious injury or death therefore 5.
Multiply the two together.
You can then decide on a solution. Any number approaching twenty five (usually over twenty), you must cease all operations immediately.
At least with the mirror you are looking up all the time, and attached to the back of the head you can spin it around to view your work.
It isn't perfect. but it works.
We sell more of our mirrors to America than any other item.
I suspect they are more risk aware.

Because they have dirty great big power lines running in residential areas that kill you. At least with a mirror you can look at your hair when you touch a power line.

As for looking up all the time, what happens when you trip over?

Its ok lads, just fit this on the pole  ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1459799066_lol.jpg)

Is that the waiting room in A&E for guttervac related incidents Damo  ;D

it is! Notice it's EMPTY
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: robert mitchell on April 04, 2016, 09:14:44 pm
To risk assess.

on a scale of 1-5 what is the chance of an accident (you can use fractions)
If you are looking directly ahead it has to be 5, You are going to miss all obstacles, wires, aerials etc. by not looking at up what you are doing and what is ahead.
If there was an accident what is the degree of harm 1-5.
Touch a live cable, serious injury or death therefore 5.
Multiply the two together.
You can then decide on a solution. Any number approaching twenty five (usually over twenty), you must cease all operations immediately.
At least with the mirror you are looking up all the time, and attached to the back of the head you can spin it around to view your work.
It isn't perfect. but it works.
We sell more of our mirrors to America than any other item.
I suspect they are more risk aware.

utter garbage - I regularly do risk assessments at work using a similar number system , get 5 different people to do it and you get 5 different results .

And yes i am qualified in risk assessment , not that it means much , common sense is much more important.


Using a camera with a gutter vac is low risk .

Shall we risk assess crossing a busy road ?

The score for that using your way of thinking would mean i could never leave the house!!
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: a900 on April 04, 2016, 09:20:05 pm
To risk assess.

on a scale of 1-5 what is the chance of an accident (you can use fractions)
If you are looking directly ahead it has to be 5, You are going to miss all obstacles, wires, aerials etc. by not looking at up what you are doing and what is ahead.
If there was an accident what is the degree of harm 1-5.
Touch a live cable, serious injury or death therefore 5.
Multiply the two together.
You can then decide on a solution. Any number approaching twenty five (usually over twenty), you must cease all operations immediately.
At least with the mirror you are looking up all the time, and attached to the back of the head you can spin it around to view your work.
It isn't perfect. but it works.
We sell more of our mirrors to America than any other item.
I suspect they are more risk aware.

Because they have dirty great big power lines running in residential areas that kill you. At least with a mirror you can look at your hair when you touch a power line.

As for looking up all the time, what happens when you trip over?

Its ok lads, just fit this on the pole  ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1459799066_lol.jpg)

Is that the waiting room in A&E for guttervac related incidents Damo  ;D

it is! Notice it's EMPTY

More likely to be in A&E for embarrassment in using a mirror on top of my gutter pole  :D :D :D
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Nick Day on April 04, 2016, 09:25:50 pm
Robert,

If you are happy with your risk assessments so be it, it is your responsibility and will be held responsible.
Ring your local H.S.E for confirmation,
You might be in for a surprise, my deductions have been confirmed by all the housing associations we deal with....without exception.
If you have an answer for a member of your staff looking straight ahead and being able to remember all problems above, then so be it.
I would suggest that lots of people are relying on luck....you cannot include "lucky so far" in a risk assessment.
In fact that is what risk assessment was introduced to eliminate.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: robert mitchell on April 04, 2016, 09:27:39 pm
Robert,

If you are happy with your risk assessments so be it, it is your responsibility and will be held responsible.
Ring your local H.S.E for confirmation,
You might be in for a surprise, my deductions have been confirmed by all the housing associations we deal with....without exception.
If you have an answer for a member of your staff looking straight ahead and being able to remember all problems above, then so be it.
I would suggest that lots of people are relying on luck....you cannot include "lucky so far" in a risk assessment.
In fact that is what risk assessment was introduced to eliminate.

Im very happy with it thank you  :-*
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on April 04, 2016, 09:36:45 pm
Robert,

If you are happy with your risk assessments so be it, it is your responsibility and will be held responsible.
Ring your local H.S.E for confirmation,
You might be in for a surprise, my deductions have been confirmed by all the housing associations we deal with....without exception.
If you have an answer for a member of your staff looking straight ahead and being able to remember all problems above, then so be it.
I would suggest that lots of people are relying on luck....you cannot include "lucky so far" in a risk assessment.
In fact that is what risk assessment was introduced to eliminate.

Two words Neil "BELAY GLASSES " if you don't like looking up 
Seriously most have the common sense not to move the pole when looking at a screen as already been mentioned so I don't get what you keep banging on about. This would also be covered in the method statement too.

I would post a vid taken in real time using this method (stopping to look at the screen & recording at the same time) but to be quite honest I can't be arsed. 
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: DaveG on June 20, 2016, 06:24:35 pm
ide just buy a grippa vac £700 cant go rong realy and the moters are bullet proof good suction mine will lift a 1.5 kilo bag of dog food its not as power full as the sky vac industrel wich can lift 6 kilo but the grippa one is plenty power full anouth  for most jobs

Do you have a link please?  Cheapest ones I can see on Grippa site are just under £1200...
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Smurf on June 21, 2016, 12:52:32 am
Just to clarify the king did not buy his vac nor ali poles from grippa so I don't now why he keeps mentioning their name  ::)roll
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: ChrisR on November 23, 2016, 08:03:14 am
I concur with Belay Glasses. They (https://www.climbing-high.co.uk/belay-glasses/) are a useful little product. They are designed to reduce pain for rock climbers who have to look up for hours on end. Applicable if you struggle with pain when for cleaning those higher windows.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: ascjim on November 23, 2016, 04:30:07 pm
The motors on the GrippaVac seem good, but the rest keeps braking on us. Also, there's no handle on the side to move in and out of the van.
Title: Re: diy gutter vac
Post by: Dave Willis on November 23, 2016, 04:43:11 pm
I strap my phone to my leading arm with one of those joggers clear cases. Pretty close to looking ahead. Don't do much commercial work these days so risk assessments don't need to be done for the customer. Eight times out of ten I can clear the gutter by feel.
Nilfisk 1800w Diy but only 38mm hose. Works pretty well for domestic. Would like a bit more suction and 51mm inlet next time.