Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: hank jr on December 08, 2019, 05:51:54 pm

Title: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 08, 2019, 05:51:54 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1575827131_20191207_141417.jpg)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1575827427_20191206_145853.jpg)
If you look above the conservatory there's a length of gutter. The customer has gutter hedgehog installed with plastic zip ties holding it in place.

He wants me to cut the zip ties, remove the gutter hedgehog.

Any ideas how it can be done? The people who installed the gutter hedgehog were roofers and walked on that small roof to install it.

I'm not doing that, its too dangerous....

The aerial picture shows the conservatory at the back towards the right.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Shrek on December 08, 2019, 05:55:18 pm
What roof tiles are they? Are they slate or concrete ?

If they’re slate , don’t bother walking on them , it’ll be like walking on crisps , you’ll be cracking ALOT of them.

Sometimes you’ve just got to know when to walk a way - you can’t cut the zip ties unless you get up there
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Spruce on December 08, 2019, 07:04:17 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1575827131_20191207_141417.jpg)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1575827427_20191206_145853.jpg)
If you look above the conservatory there's a length of gutter. The customer has gutter hedgehog installed with plastic zip ties holding it in place.

He wants me to cut the zip ties, remove the gutter hedgehog.

Any ideas how it can be done? The people who installed the gutter hedgehog were roofers and walked on that small roof to install it.

I'm not doing that, its too dangerous....

The aerial picture shows the conservatory at the back towards the right.

Its a job for a roofer using scaffolding or a couple of roof ladders. I agree with Shrek; some jobs you just have to walk away from.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 09, 2019, 10:04:10 am
What roof tiles are they? Are they slate or concrete ?

If they’re slate , don’t bother walking on them , it’ll be like walking on crisps , you’ll be cracking ALOT of them.

Sometimes you’ve just got to know when to walk a way - you can’t cut the zip ties unless you get up there

Yup I agree with you about walking away. Not worth the hassle this one I dont think.

Its a slate roof by the way.

The whole job includes cleaning all windows, all gutters. Its just that 1 piece of gutter thats the problem....and I aint walking on it. The homeowner suggested I use a cat ladder (which I dont have because im not a roofer).
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Splash & dash on December 09, 2019, 10:09:14 am
If it’s just a small number of cable ties can you cut them with a scraper on a pole and then hoof the hedgehog out ??
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Smudger on December 09, 2019, 11:34:16 am
More cool the customer for putting it in the gutter

Cherry picker or walk away

Darran
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Richard Groves on December 09, 2019, 01:51:58 pm
I'd just agree to cleaning all other gutters and windows and just say you're not able to remove it. Take or leave it. It's not your issue, you're not a roofer. Why do they want it removed ?.... surely the point of it is to keep the gutter clean from debris anyhow.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Elfyn on December 09, 2019, 04:53:15 pm
There are a lot of these b****dy things in this area and the home owner has paid through the nose for them (they were being promoted through agricultural show etc a few years ago). Of course I'm the "baddie" when I tell them they need to be removed and thrown away. If they can't live with that I just walk away with a clear concience.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 09, 2019, 05:58:55 pm
I'd just agree to cleaning all other gutters and windows and just say you're not able to remove it. Take or leave it. It's not your issue, you're not a roofer. Why do they want it removed ?.... surely the point of it is to keep the gutter clean from debris anyhow.

I asked that question myself. The reason is the gutters are quite shallow and the gutter hedgehog is hanging out the gutters and it looks an eyesore. The other reason is the gutter hedgehog doesn't stop all the mud, leaves and debris in the gutters. He said its a waste of time having it installed.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 09, 2019, 06:17:28 pm
If it’s just a small number of cable ties can you cut them with a scraper on a pole and then hoof the hedgehog out ??

I thought of this as well. Using a blade taped to an extendable pole and try and cut the zip ties. If it doesn't work I've wasted my time....
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Shrek on December 09, 2019, 06:34:02 pm
If it’s just a small number of cable ties can you cut them with a scraper on a pole and then hoof the hedgehog out ??

I thought of this as well. Using a blade taped to an extendable pole and try and cut the zip ties. If it doesn't work I've wasted my time....

....and you might knock half the gutter off then have to fix it  :-\
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Alex Wingrove on December 09, 2019, 07:30:14 pm
Hi

Can you walk along the conservatory, doesn't looks like the gutter is only 6ft above the conservatory.

Alex
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Richard Groves on December 09, 2019, 07:33:53 pm
I'd just agree to cleaning all other gutters and windows and just say you're not able to remove it. Take or leave it. It's not your issue, you're not a roofer. Why do they want it removed ?.... surely the point of it is to keep the gutter clean from debris anyhow.

I asked that question myself. The reason is the gutters are quite shallow and the gutter hedgehog is hanging out the gutters and it looks an eyesore. The other reason is the gutter hedgehog doesn't stop all the mud, leaves and debris in the gutters. He said its a waste of time having it installed.
Well thats his costly mistake Hank.
That looks like a really nice house and worth a few bob. no disrepect to you as a window cleaner ( or any of us  :D). He really should be asking the roofers or a gutter installation company ( those with the right equipment ) to sort it and not his window cleaner. He must be able to afford to get it removed properly and safely.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: JandS on December 09, 2019, 07:38:47 pm
If you can reach it from connie roof couple of cut off scaffold battens on connie roof....but I would leave well alone.
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Mike Halliday on December 10, 2019, 07:15:26 am
Can you not reach out the window and cut the ties?  Then pull out the hedgehogs.

How much is he willing to pay?  Anything is possible if the money is right
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Mike Halliday on December 10, 2019, 07:17:25 am
Or use a long reach branch cutter out of the window, or gaffer tape a knife onto a pole and cut them
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Seamus ODwyer on December 10, 2019, 07:29:50 am
dont walk on it theres no wooden struts (no 6" joyce)
supporting it, its a cheap! roof, ya might need drain rods a tiny foot on the divider and one hand holding the windows as you go from inside carefully, easy job mate
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 10, 2019, 04:01:27 pm
Hi

Can you walk along the conservatory, doesn't looks like the gutter is only 6ft above the conservatory.

Alex

I dont fancy walking on a conny roof. I know some people do, but if something went wrong imagine the damage!
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 10, 2019, 04:03:50 pm
I'd just agree to cleaning all other gutters and windows and just say you're not able to remove it. Take or leave it. It's not your issue, you're not a roofer. Why do they want it removed ?.... surely the point of it is to keep the gutter clean from debris anyhow.

I asked that question myself. The reason is the gutters are quite shallow and the gutter hedgehog is hanging out the gutters and it looks an eyesore. The other reason is the gutter hedgehog doesn't stop all the mud, leaves and debris in the gutters. He said its a waste of time having it installed.
Well thats his costly mistake Hank.
That looks like a really nice house and worth a few bob. no disrepect to you as a window cleaner ( or any of us  :D). He really should be asking the roofers or a gutter installation company ( those with the right equipment ) to sort it and not his window cleaner. He must be able to afford to get it removed properly and safely.

I agree with you, he's not short of a few bob. The guys a millionaire.  I've never cleaned his windows before, he contacted me through my website. 
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 10, 2019, 04:14:49 pm
dont walk on it theres no wooden struts (no 6" joyce)
supporting it, its a cheap! roof, ya might need drain rods a tiny foot on the divider and one hand holding the windows as you go from inside carefully, easy job mate

Sorry, I dont understand this answer very well...could you explain further? I understand not to stand on the roof, its a cheap roof.

The rest of your answer....do you mean get out the window and take it out?
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: hank jr on December 10, 2019, 04:15:41 pm
Or use a long reach branch cutter out of the window, or gaffer tape a knife onto a pole and cut them

I was thinking something along these lines....a knife taped to a pole or something....
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Richard Groves on December 10, 2019, 05:49:58 pm
Or use a long reach branch cutter out of the window, or gaffer tape a knife onto a pole and cut them

I was thinking something along these lines....a knife taped to a pole or something....
....or a well trained squirrel
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Ste M on December 10, 2019, 08:00:57 pm
Depends on how much you want the job, id say its safe enough to climb out of the upstairs windows and stand on the bars of the roof. you can also use a crawler plank if you want, im a heavy bloke and I ve stood on many a roof bar with no issues at all
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: lee_dewing on December 16, 2019, 09:32:44 am
Quote
If it’s just a small number of cable ties can you cut them with a scraper on a pole and then hoof the hedgehog out ??

As mentioned by others

I would remove brush from  quick loq

Then tape a box cutter retractable snap off scalpel to quick loq with a camera go pro

I would go on a Saturday morning just to try tackling the hedgehog 🦔

If it didn’t work I would have just lost a couple of hours

Not perfect
But at least I wouldn’t of wasted a working day

I Always feel guilty saying No

But you can’t win em all 😬
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: lee_dewing on December 16, 2019, 09:37:29 am
Camera maybe better on separate pole to cutter

So you can get steady footage
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: Slacky on December 16, 2019, 09:40:26 am
Is he getting the roof cleaned, cos he's gonna need it afterwards.

I'd personally be happier to kick the job in to touch. Work on/over conservatory roofs is never going to be easy or ideal.

Whats your insurance company think?
Title: Re: How to clean out this gutter and cutcout gutter hedgehog?
Post by: RPCCS on December 16, 2019, 12:10:51 pm
You could always ask if he would be willing to pay the hire of a roof ladder if you want the job, but would probably be cheaper to get a local roofer to do it as most have said.