Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: frames to panes on January 10, 2008, 03:21:06 pm

Title: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: frames to panes on January 10, 2008, 03:21:06 pm
In my boredom today i have pulled all the bristles out of an old Bentley brush so i now have a plastic blade that i rekon might just be good enough to slide along the gutter and clear the debris out, i have it on an adjustable angle adtapter - it might just work........ but there again it might not.  :-\
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: Alex Gardiner on January 10, 2008, 03:29:38 pm
I reckon it might well work.

If you have it on the end of an aluminium gooseneck and twist it side-ways it should 'scoop' nicely.

Slightly cheaper than an 'Up-Keeper' !
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: Spruce on January 10, 2008, 04:33:11 pm
Hi
It will work. Got a brush from Morrisons the other day that also has a pointy end and used it to clean the length of a gutter running over an add on conservatory using an adaptor and Unger ali pole. I pulled the dirt toward me and then emptied the gutter just before the down pipe. I didn't pull the bristles out of the brush as you can use them to sweep to gutter by pushing the brush head away from you.
You will get about 90% of the dirt out, depending on the shape of the gutter and how far over it the tiles pretrude.
Spruce
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: frames to panes on January 10, 2008, 04:37:43 pm
Oh good, i'm hoping to be able to do it from ground level, should be good enough to keep the gutter clear of leaves. Might not be good for the pole though, especially a modular (wouldn't want to leave the top section dangling from the gutter)
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: jeff1 on January 10, 2008, 04:49:04 pm
Get a gutter Lance and blast the stuff out, it often goes over next doors garden, so I go next door when I've finished and give them a bill for fertalizing there roses ;D ;D
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: frames to panes on January 10, 2008, 05:28:01 pm
Jeff, being nosey, what's the kind of outlay to get you going with one of those? I have a trailer doing nothing in my garage so it could be loaded with a petrol pressure washer and lance.
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: Tim Rose on January 10, 2008, 06:15:42 pm
Get a gutter Lance and blast the stuff out, it often goes over next doors garden, so I go next door when I've finished and give them a bill for fertalizing there roses ;D ;D
No need for that.

OP - how are you going to clear that blocked downpipe?
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: jeff1 on January 10, 2008, 08:05:46 pm
Jeff, being nosey, what's the kind of outlay to get you going with one of those? I have a trailer doing nothing in my garage so it could be loaded with a petrol pressure washer and lance.
Pressure Washer
If you have regular and plenty of gutter cleaning Jobs then go for a decent pressure washer, if you have only the odd few Jobs then you can buy one for around a couple oh hundred. or check out ebay.

Lance
Northern tool do the lance.
http://www.northerntooluk.com/products.asp?partno=22824E   £85
Scroll down on the right hand side and you will see a 5 pack of pressure washer nozzles £35 continue to the bottom and you will see a gutter cleaner attachment £9 this is what the nozzles attach too.
If you want you can also buy the harness £16
So for Just over £300 (cheapy pressure washer) you can be sorted.
If the custy's not home You can do a full house front/back in around half hour that includes inside the guttering outside, facias and soffets, and you still price as normal.
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: frames to panes on January 10, 2008, 08:11:20 pm
How much of this do you pick up on average? Couple a week, month? Do you advertise it and is it very physical to do? I can imagine the lance wanting to wander about with the pressure.
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: jeff1 on January 10, 2008, 09:12:15 pm
How much of this do you pick up on average? Couple a week, month? Do you advertise it and is it very physical to do? I can imagine the lance wanting to wander about with the pressure.
Sorry for the delay Dave?

OK I get an average of a couple a week, a lot of my custy's know I do gutter cleaning and with all this rain it picks up, I do advertise it in yellow pages but to be honest I have picked up one big job through it, I also have a contract to clean high sided lorry's with it near were I live.

I did six houses in one day just before crimbo and by the end of the day my arms were dropping off but it was a very nice earner, thats why I  recommend the harness, you won't need one for the odd Job but if you do a lot like that in one day then get one.

Depending on the pressure of your washer it will have a tendancy to jump when you first switch it on, you switch it on about a foot from the guttering then bring the lance down and do the Job, when you want to switch off again move the lance about a foot away from the guttering then switch off.

Its also good for cleaning cladding.
Title: Re: Gutter scraper mk1
Post by: Tim Rose on January 10, 2008, 10:55:58 pm
Is the pressure washer any good for forcing down obstructions into the downpipe?

I could do with that for chargin bucks for dismantling the entire gutter assembly. Thanks for the tip.  ;)

ps, if no good for that, can it dislodge tiles upwards so that I have to replace them?Also good for £100 a go, plus any other damage I can make up.I love pressure washers.