[paul alan]

Anyone using gutter vac type stuff?

Been noticing a lot of mini meadows hanging over my customers gutters lately.

Am considering pre-booking some gutter clearing work before investing in equipment.

Who adds this on? Is it good money? What type of equipment is required? Is it easy to use?.............

[Tony dunmall]

Easy to use, if your using poles already

I use a smaller vac the grippa mini grafter with three carbon poles

We also have a big 3000 watt one,I prefer smaller vac  for houses

Yes it's  good money, prices Differ around the country

I've heard people go between £3-5 for emptying out that may be outvsate now

[paul alan]

Not sure what you mean regards pricing? I know things vary in areas, how do the prices compare to window cleaning?

[chris turner]

Not sure what you mean regards pricing? I know things vary in areas, how do the prices compare to window cleaning?

On commercial gutters I can earn 3 times what I do in a day on Windows.
Even on domestic gutters, once you know what your doing with a vac, you can blast through jobs.
A typical 3 bed semi is usually priced between £60-£100 and can be completed in under an hour.
I usually just add them onto a normal days work, which is a nice little bonus on top of a normal days earnings.

[paul alan]

Sounds good chris, whats the best/most economical equipment to get?

What are the ballaches involved? Is it a steep learing curve?

[Shrek]

It's not as easy as windows though , especially when you get roof tiles that almost overhang the gutters and the only way to do it is by hand 🤚

[chris turner]

It's not as easy as windows though , especially when you get roof tiles that almost overhang the gutters and the only way to do it is by hand 🤚

Jobs like that can be a pita, thankfully they are few and far between. Though having a good selection of heads for the vac helps. Very rarely do I clear gutters by hand, unless the job is so small that it doesn't warrant getting the vac out.

[paul alan]

Well l wouldnt be using ladders its just not an option.

What spec vac is the min requirement?

I have seen a 4200 holding a housebrick on youtube, is that overkill?

[chris turner]

Sounds good chris, whats the best/most economical equipment to get?

What are the ballaches involved? Is it a steep learing curve?

I went for the 30ft package from here
http://www.guttercleaningsystems.co.uk/3000carbonfibrekits.html

It's cheap enough and has more then enough power. The adjustable head really helps on certain jobs and the tools are spot on.
Granted the poles are not Gardiner's quality carbon but they haven't let me down yet in nearly 2 years.
In terms of power you could get a generator, I don't have the space in the van though so I use a 50meter extension cord and use the customers power. I haven't had a problem with this yet, just arrange with the customer beforehand.

There isn't any real learning required with a vac, just plug in and go. There are numerous videos on YouTube showing techniques of clearing different types of gutters.
 A camera isn't a huge necessity, I hardly ever use mine. I actually prefer having the ladder off and just hopping up and checking before and after each run, unless on higher stuff.
If you do go for a camera then you don't need anything high end.
Ape-man do a solid camera with WiFi that you can connect to your phone.

[chris turner]

Well l wouldnt be using ladders its just not an option.

What spec vac is the min requirement?

I have seen a 4200 holding a housebrick on youtube, is that overkill?

4200 is definitely overkill.
On the 3000 watt, 3 motor vac,  I mainly only use 2 motors for most jobs.
I think only twice iv needed the full 3000watts.

[andyM]

Well l wouldnt be using ladders its just not an option.

What spec vac is the min requirement?

I have seen a 4200 holding a housebrick on youtube, is that overkill?

If that's 4200 watt then that will be 16 amp territory requiring a monster generator for power.

[JandS]

Same set up as Chris....don't bother with camera anymore just stick ladders up and have a look before and after......there's nearly always one clump of grass wrapped round something anyway that needs removing by hand.
Sometimes I have to fart about wasting time just to make job last an hour.....did one Friday £65.....mainly just dust with one clump hanging over....could have been gone in 40 minutes easily but strung it out.

[duncan h]

Had a few customers ask me, but they all have small trees growing out of them. I was told you have to do them by hand?

[paul alan]

Thanks guys!

[Stoots]

i have the 1200w one from nick.

Its ok with gutter that arnt too bad but its really slow bordering on poope with any amount of debris to shift.

In hindsight i would buy a 3000w machine if doing more than 1 or 2 jobs a week, but for the odd use its ok.

Ladders would be quicker in a few situations, depends on access and whats in there, would be good to have both.

oh, i would get carbon pole if you can, alloy is hard work, especially in the heat, it can be exhausting.

As for pricing, well thats down to what you can get, i would struggle to get 100 quid for a 3 bed semi, i tens to charge £15 per side, so £45 for  a 3 bed, but this is still a good rate imo seeing that  they take on average under an hour.

[Og]

Do them by hand with an ankalad and stand off, using pro gutter tool.
Gutter vacs are a waste of time for residential gutters.
You can't see what you're doing, you need power, quite often the tiles come down across the gutter.
Waste of time.

[Stoots]

Do them by hand with an ankalad and stand off, using pro gutter tool.

Scared of heights

Gutter vacs are a waste of time for residential gutters.

nope

You can't see what you're doing,

mirror on the pole

you need power,

generator/custys socket

quite often the tiles come down across the gutter.

skip them bits, doubt they will know

Waste of time.

possibly

[Smurf]

If you don't like working at roofline height then best keep away from gutter clearing  as a gutter vac defo has its limitations.

[Og]

Do them by hand with an ankalad and stand off, using pro gutter tool.

Scared of heights

Gutter vacs are a waste of time for residential gutters.

nope

You can't see what you're doing,

mirror on the pole

you need power,

generator/custys socket

quite often the tiles come down across the gutter.

skip them bits, doubt they will know

Waste of time.

possibly

What's to be scared of?  If you have the right kit, it's no more dangerous than climbing a flight of stairs?

I have a gutter vac but only use it for lengths of conservatories. It's a big pain in the arse. The mirrors are rubbish too.

We have hired a cherry picker for cleaning a warehouse gutter. Still scooped it out by hand rather than blindly shuffling a hoover nozzle along.

Guess you have to use what works for you but I'm definitely of the opinion that gutter vacs are a waste of time 95% of jobs.