Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: DB Cleaning on November 11, 2022, 07:00:00 pm

Title: Gutter vac
Post by: DB Cleaning on November 11, 2022, 07:00:00 pm
Hi
Has anyone got a gutter vac for sale
Thanks Dale
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: SB Cleaning on November 11, 2022, 07:07:39 pm
Look on ebay, or the company gutter vacuum systems are your best bet for new one.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: EandM on November 11, 2022, 07:31:25 pm
I inherited one from a customer. The thing is so big I need a trailer! Impressive stuff though.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Steve H on November 11, 2022, 08:22:57 pm
Spinaclean are brilliant for gutter vacs, but even the small one ("mighty atom" i think) isnt cheap. I chuck it in the back of the van on some of my windows days, can easily set it up when needed, doesnt take up much room in the van. Some of them are too big and awkward, unless thats all your doing all day, then you need something more powerful.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: DB Cleaning on November 12, 2022, 08:21:59 am
Thanks for the feedback
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: james peters on November 12, 2022, 08:59:36 am
I have the gutter sucker junior,  the poles that came with it are sky vac.
I dont do a huge amount, but I have found it adequate when using.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: DB Cleaning on November 12, 2022, 09:07:43 am
Is the junior powerful ,
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: SB Cleaning on November 12, 2022, 09:51:03 am
Is the junior powerful ,
If your serious about gutter clearing then i wouldn't bother with the junior...its small capacity makes emptying the drum a pain also its better to have a more powerful vac for stubborn blockages, you can't go wrong with the 3000w carbon Pole kit from gvs.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: james peters on November 12, 2022, 07:38:58 pm
Is the junior powerful ,

Its been adequate for the amount I do.... I dont do one off gutter clearance .
All my gutter  emptying is repeat work from window cleaning customers, and the junior handles it well.

Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: simon w on November 13, 2022, 01:24:03 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Smudger on November 13, 2022, 03:11:21 pm
Agree - most supply you with a bent bit of silicone - thats just not good enough to tackle serious gutter clearing

Darran
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Soupy on November 16, 2022, 02:04:36 pm
Agree - most supply you with a bent bit of silicone - thats just not good enough to tackle serious gutter clearing

Darran

The top elbow piece is carbon fibre nowadays.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Soupy on November 16, 2022, 02:10:52 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: simon w on November 16, 2022, 02:12:53 pm
Agree - most supply you with a bent bit of silicone - thats just not good enough to tackle serious gutter clearing

Darran

The top elbow piece is carbon fibre nowadays.

Yes the fittings you fit into this are pretty pathetic though, just modified vac tools that would have come with the wet vac anyway. I have the full set of tools including the carbon top section with clamp and carbon gooseneck but end tools let the whole set up down.

Like I said it needs proper development and money being spent on end tools being fully ergonomic and fit for purpose rather than operator just having to make the best of what they've got. Wouldn't be so bad if the end tools were cheap to buy but there not.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: simon w on November 16, 2022, 02:19:24 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Reminds me of when WFP brushes were still being modified from bentley's broom heads r drilling holes in Vikan brushes to make them lighter.  Gutter Vac end tools could be a whole lot better, but  likes of spinaclean are hardly going to spend more money on development if they haven't got competition and cleaners continue to just put up with what's available.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Soupy on November 16, 2022, 02:24:09 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Climb up a ladder? Lol. Talk about primitive.

I watched them do an industrial building with my drone on Monday  ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668608992_Screenshot 2022-11-16 142851.jpg)

It's the nozzle for a hoover, I can't really think how you'd improve on it to be honest. I'm not known for my creativity though.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: simon w on November 16, 2022, 02:29:37 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Climb up a ladder? Lol. Talk about primitive.

I watched them do an industrial building with my drone on Monday.

It's the nozzle for a hoover, I can't really think how you'd improve on it to be honest. I'm not known for my creativity though.

Yes ,sorry forgot your unable to climb a ladder, try doing a  days work with a pole in your hand  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose.  :)
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Soupy on November 16, 2022, 02:33:22 pm
Yes sorry forgot you couldn't climb a ladder, try doing  days work on the gutters  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose

We have 100 sites to do - started Monday. It's slower than I'd hoped - done around 6 so far in two days (one day was the industrial building above). Still decent money though.

Again, I'm not sure how much improvement you will get on a nozzle.

The biggest issue we've had so far is seeing what we're doing - the skyvac camera isn't the answer. The battery doesn't last long enough and the picture quality is poor. The DJI mini pro 3 (drone) works pretty well but it's a faf and you can't use it in the rain.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: simon w on November 16, 2022, 03:15:00 pm
Yes sorry forgot you couldn't climb a ladder, try doing  days work on the gutters  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose

We have 100 sites to do - started Monday. It's slower than I'd hoped - done around 6 so far in two days (one day was the industrial building above). Still decent money though.

Again, I'm not sure how you much improvement you will get on a nozzle.

The biggest issue we've had so far is seeing what we're doing - the skyvac camera isn't the answer. The battery doesn't last long enough and the picture quality is poor. The DJI mini pro 3 (drone) works pretty well but it's a faf and you can't use it in the rain.

Yes we have the skyvac camera too and that's also a bit of a joke, gets used occasionally when conditions are right but not afraid to climb a ladder safely to inspect on the right job. Point is if end tools were more ergonomic for covering full area of inside of gutter we'd not need to rely on inspection so much. Machines have the right power and suction, poles are great but end tools still the Achilles heel
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: the king on November 16, 2022, 03:31:38 pm
Lee at Bladeright will sort you out a good deal good hover too maxblast 3000w
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Splash & dash on November 16, 2022, 04:50:50 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...



The silicone bends do have there uses but a ridged neck gives  you much more strength if needing to lift heavy turfs out or break up hard  packed soil  .
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Splash & dash on November 16, 2022, 04:54:40 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Climb up a ladder? Lol. Talk about primitive.

I watched them do an industrial building with my drone on Monday.

It's the nozzle for a hoover, I can't really think how you'd improve on it to be honest. I'm not known for my creativity though.

Yes ,sorry forgot your unable to climb a ladder, try doing a  days work with a pole in your hand  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose.  :)



I have got 3 gutter vacs and don’t  have any issues with the end tool s we clean thousands of  meters of gutters per year , what problems do you experience ?
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: robbo333 on November 16, 2022, 05:22:04 pm
I've got a little Atom and it has worked well for me over the years.
I just use it as an 'add on' to my window cleaning, I only do bungalows these days as I don't have the time (or inclination) anymore.
I think the development of tools should not be focused on 'sucking', but more focused on getting underneath the debris to loosen it, (probably while the vac is turned off) so it can then be lifted out under suction.

It would like to think that it would be fairly easy to design a range of profile tools (for each shape of guttering) that can cut underneath to loosen growth. A tool to cut away the growth that has extended under a roof tile.
A range of tools to fit exactly into downpipes, that can create a vacuum to help lift debris and growth.

Failing that...a good set of double ladders.



Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Stoots on November 16, 2022, 05:26:05 pm
I have a gutter sucker jnr. I was just thinking about selling it the other day ive only used it twice this year...but at the weekend my mum asked me to clear her gutters and i blew it up  after 2 mins  ;D Her gutters are still full and i now have a vac i cant sell.

It was a decent little machine,  but certainly if i were to be planning on using it everyday i would want something with more power.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Splash & dash on November 16, 2022, 05:29:03 pm
I've got a little Atom and it has worked well for me over the years.
I just use it as an 'add on' to my window cleaning, I only do bungalows these days as I don't have the time (or inclination) anymore.
I think the development of tools should not be focused on 'sucking', but more focused on getting underneath the debris to loosen it, (probably while the vac is turned off) so it can then be lifted out under suction.




You can chop the turfs into lift able lengths using the normal round end tool then pick it out of the gutter , or just go up and down in the gutter this will break up solid soil deposits then just suck it up and view with camera to make sure it’s all out .
It would like to think that it would be fairly easy to design a range of profile tools (for each shape of guttering) that can cut underneath to loosen growth. A tool to cut away the growth that has extended under a roof tile.
A range of tools to fit exactly into downpipes, that can create a vacuum to help lift debris and growth.

Failing that...a good set of double ladders.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: SB Cleaning on November 16, 2022, 07:16:44 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Climb up a ladder? Lol. Talk about primitive.

I watched them do an industrial building with my drone on Monday.

It's the nozzle for a hoover, I can't really think how you'd improve on it to be honest. I'm not known for my creativity though.

Yes ,sorry forgot your unable to climb a ladder, try doing a  days work with a pole in your hand  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose.  :)



I have got 3 gutter vacs and don’t  have any issues with the end tool s we clean thousands of  meters of gutters per year , what problems do you experience ?
No problems for me either, i prefer the  silicone necks to the solid ones....the end tools gvs sell are spot on....
You've either got the knack of using a vac or you ain't  ;D
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: EandM on November 16, 2022, 07:43:17 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668627718_123z.jpg)

The problem I find is removing stuff like this from 30 feet up.

This is about 12 months on from clean gutters,

Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: simon w on November 16, 2022, 08:00:09 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Climb up a ladder? Lol. Talk about primitive.

I watched them do an industrial building with my drone on Monday.

It's the nozzle for a hoover, I can't really think how you'd improve on it to be honest. I'm not known for my creativity though.

Yes ,sorry forgot your unable to climb a ladder, try doing a  days work with a pole in your hand  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose.  :)



I have got 3 gutter vacs and don’t  have any issues with the end tool s we clean thousands of  meters of gutters per year , what problems do you experience ?
No problems for me either, i prefer the  silicone necks to the solid ones....the end tools gvs sell are spot on....
You've either got the knack of using a vac or you ain't  ;D

Plenty of operators out there leave the gutters half filled with debris, not like the customer is able to check your work is it  ;D
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Splash & dash on November 16, 2022, 09:35:52 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668627718_123z.jpg)

The problem I find is removing stuff like this from 30 feet up.

This is about 12 months on from clean gutters,



We lift stuff out of gutters like this at 30-45 feet no problem at all
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Splash & dash on November 16, 2022, 09:39:08 pm
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

Climb up a ladder and watch whats going on inside the gutter while one of your guy's vacuuming and you'll see end tools are pretty primitive.

Two of those elite tools are just modified from end tools that came with the manufacturers machine so not intended for gutters and the other aluminium tools just a basic engineering machine tooled.

Climb up a ladder? Lol. Talk about primitive.

I watched them do an industrial building with my drone on Monday.

It's the nozzle for a hoover, I can't really think how you'd improve on it to be honest. I'm not known for my creativity though.

Yes ,sorry forgot your unable to climb a ladder, try doing a  days work with a pole in your hand  before giving feedback on kit being fit for purpose.  :)



I have got 3 gutter vacs and don’t  have any issues with the end tool s we clean thousands of  meters of gutters per year , what problems do you experience ?
No problems for me either, i prefer the  silicone necks to the solid ones....the end tools gvs sell are spot on....
You've either got the knack of using a vac or you ain't  ;D

Plenty of operators out there leave the gutters half filled with debris, not like the customer is able to check your work is it  ;D


We always offer the customers video footage of after the clean so they can see what it’s like some want it some don’t , but all the management companies we do work for are sent a copy of before and after video with the invoice . No disputing what it was like before and after the clean then
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: EandM on November 17, 2022, 07:43:21 am
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668627718_123z.jpg)

The problem I find is removing stuff like this from 30 feet up.

This is about 12 months on from clean gutters,



We lift stuff out of gutters like this at 30-45 feet no problem at all

I don't what the issue with this was then.
It's in knitted sections about five to six feet long and very difficult to break up.
If I'm lucky I can drag out sections of it but it seems to be grown into the gutter.

Only a problem on one side of the building though.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: NWH on November 17, 2022, 09:14:52 am
Dirty horrible job if only they fitted gutters these days that could be cleaned out properly with a vac,as said the end tools for these machines were found on Nohas arc what  I do now is play the sound of a gutter vac at full blast through the customers letter box make out I’m cleaning them and collect 5-7 notes a meter lol.
I have the older Numatic which even off the mains produces easily enough power for guttering up to 40ft,the hose and end attachments are awful though which is a shame as it’s money for nothing if you don’t mind getting filthy dirty.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Bungle on November 17, 2022, 01:59:55 pm
NWH doesn't do gutter clearing but he might do one on Friday 👍
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: NWH on November 17, 2022, 03:20:58 pm
I’ve been looking at an attachment for mine do you know one company want 23 notes more than the other one Bungle yeah that’s 23 English pounds,you couldn’t write it could you 🤣🤣🤣🤣 oh I just have. 
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Smudger on November 17, 2022, 05:56:59 pm
NWH doesn't do gutter clearing but he might do one on Friday 👍

Do one 🤔

If only…..


Darran
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: NWH on November 17, 2022, 07:02:45 pm
Dirty orrible job good job I don’t have to do em myself anymore lol,what’s the best Vac setup available these days I’m talking about nice sections that are light and a hose that connects to the drum securely as well as the base of the bottom section.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: SB Cleaning on November 17, 2022, 07:08:47 pm
Dirty orrible job good job I don’t have to do em myself anymore lol,what’s the best Vac setup available these days I’m talking about nice sections that are light and a hose that connects to the drum securely as well as the base of the bottom section.
You just said you don't have to do them so why bother asking questions about them ;D
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: NWH on November 17, 2022, 07:17:42 pm
Physically I don’t have to no.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: tom20001 on November 20, 2022, 10:46:56 am
In my opinion the companies that sell this equipment still haven't put enough into proper fit for purpose development of equipment to do this type of work properly especially the end tools .

I've got the "elite end tools"

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1668607816_interceptor_pack_shots_1282x1282px_3.jpg)

Difficult to see what else you can put on the end of a big hoover though...

In terms of suction how would this likely compare to my nilfisk alto 11 🤔
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: DJW on November 20, 2022, 01:27:08 pm
I used to make tools from plastic waste pipe to fit particular gutters. Heat it up and bend into shape.
No longer clean gutters these days.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: NWH on November 20, 2022, 03:50:24 pm
No it’s a filthy horrible job I’ve watched many Mackintosh videos now there’s a bloke that likes dirty jobs no one else would go near lol.
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Splash & dash on November 20, 2022, 04:09:58 pm
No it’s a filthy horrible job I’ve watched many Mackintosh videos now there’s a bloke that likes dirty jobs no one else would go near lol.


Ware there’s muck  there’s brass 😂😂😂😂
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: SB Cleaning on November 20, 2022, 04:53:49 pm
No it’s a filthy horrible job I’ve watched many Mackintosh videos now there’s a bloke that likes dirty jobs no one else would go near lol.
Not sure why you think it's a dirty horrible job, I don't get dirty ;D
Title: Re: Gutter vac
Post by: Frankybadboy on November 20, 2022, 04:55:39 pm
have a good old original ommivac  gutter vac 3x1600 watt motors  with 50-60ft of gardiner poles,never ever let me down,replaced a few wheels on it but more than paid for its self over the 12years ive had it