[Richard iSparkle]

For people who use gutter vacs... we've had a couple of jobs recently where the downpipe was blocked and unable to clear with a vac. how do you get around this? is there any way of clearing it without climbing? is there anyway to check if the down pipes clear?

i really want to avoid going up ladders if possible...

thanks

[Elfyn]

One of these works quite well, especially if you put mains tap pressure through it.
https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/pole-fittings/quick-loqtm-gutter-spike.html

[Stoots]

I've had it with cleaning gutters with a vac.

I bought one a few months ago and on some jobs it's great.

But then I had a couple of real pigs and it put me right off.

One was solid when we had that really hot weather, took me 4 hours to clear them all. Poles weigh a tonne and I had to spray water in all the gutters to soften them up.

You really need a ladder as well.

Cleaning windows is so much easier, an hour with the gutter vac and I'm knackered.

[TomCrowther]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

[Richard iSparkle]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

i have a ladder on one van for end caps etc

how do you check if the down pipe is blocked? we have a decent HD camera that we can check the gutters on, but this wont show blockages beyond the top of the downpipe

[Richard iSparkle]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

do you charge extra if you need to unblock a downpiep that the vac wont do?

[Slacky]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

do you charge extra if you need to unblock a downpiep that the vac wont do?

Do you charge less because you can't be arsed getting your ladder off the van?

[Richard iSparkle]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

do you charge extra if you need to unblock a downpiep that the vac wont do?

Do you charge less because you can't be arsed getting your ladder off the van?

such a wit 

it's a bigger job. we tend to charge more where more time or work is involved   

[Dave Willis]

I've had it with cleaning gutters with a vac.

I bought one a few months ago and on some jobs it's great.

But then I had a couple of real pigs and it put me right off.

One was solid when we had that really hot weather, took me 4 hours to clear them all. Poles weigh a tonne and I had to spray water in all the gutters to soften them up.

You really need a ladder as well.

Cleaning windows is so much easier, an hour with the gutter vac and I'm knackered.

Ditto ☝️

[Crystal-clear]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

do you charge extra if you need to unblock a downpiep that the vac wont do?

Do you charge less because you can't be arsed getting your ladder off the van?

such a wit 

it's a bigger job. we tend to charge more where more time or work is involved   

Naturally you could go down the route price is x if
It can be unblocked with the gutter vacuum from the ground however if ladder work is required 2 people it will be x dont see why you couldn't do that.

[TomCrowther]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

do you charge extra if you need to unblock a downpiep that the vac wont do?

Do you charge less because you can't be arsed getting your ladder off the van?

such a wit 

it's a bigger job. we tend to charge more where more time or work is involved   

Naturally you could go down the route price is x if
It can be unblocked with the gutter vacuum from the ground however if ladder work is required 2 people it will be x dont see why you couldn't do that.

My method is guttervac the lot first. Push the end of the short, straight attachment into the top of the downspout as far as it will go and then listen to the bottom of the downspout. You should be able to hear the air rushing into the top of the pole/attachment.  This tells me the downspout is clear. any doubt and I use the ladder to take a look. You can use the Gardiner spike or similar to check the flow is ok. You could also use a camera on the end of the pole.
I did a job the other week where someone else had recently cleared the gutters but when I looked, all downspouts were blocked with rock hard dirt. Not been touched. Anything out of the ordinary, I take a few pics to explain the problem to the customer as I also now do the easier repairs. New brackets/seals etc. I charge £30 per fix and customers seem to appreciate it. One new bracket and a new seal £60 ta very much.

[Richard iSparkle]

I do quite a lot of gutter clears/cleans. I think if you are going to do them you need to be prepared to use the ladders on some jobs-
The really compact dirt that has built up over years and is two foot down the  downpipe.
To replace the end cap you knocked off while cleaning.
To push back slipped slates/tiles etc.
I use the vac and they are great for most jobs, reaching over extensions/conservatory but have the ladders and laddermate/stand off too.

do you charge extra if you need to unblock a downpiep that the vac wont do?

Do you charge less because you can't be arsed getting your ladder off the van?

such a wit 

it's a bigger job. we tend to charge more where more time or work is involved   

Naturally you could go down the route price is x if
It can be unblocked with the gutter vacuum from the ground however if ladder work is required 2 people it will be x dont see why you couldn't do that.

My method is guttervac the lot first. Push the end of the short, straight attachment into the top of the downspout as far as it will go and then listen to the bottom of the downspout. You should be able to hear the air rushing into the top of the pole/attachment.  This tells me the downspout is clear. any doubt and I use the ladder to take a look. You can use the Gardiner spike or similar to check the flow is ok. You could also use a camera on the end of the pole.
I did a job the other week where someone else had recently cleared the gutters but when I looked, all downspouts were blocked with rock hard dirt. Not been touched. Anything out of the ordinary, I take a few pics to explain the problem to the customer as I also now do the easier repairs. New brackets/seals etc. I charge £30 per fix and customers seem to appreciate it. One new bracket and a new seal £60 ta very much.

thanks Tom. that makes sense

[Splash & dash]

Tom has summed it up well , there are some jobs that it’s impossible to do without a ladder but I would say we get ladders off one job in twenty , by careful quoting and putting up a camera you can usually predict which ones will be difficult, we did this job from the ground everyone else said it couldn’t be done , nice little earner 😂😂

[Spruce]

I think you have to be careful when quoting gutter clearing, especially with downpipes as Tom has said.

If a downpipe has a 'foot' on the end then you can hear if the pipe is clear as has been said. We sometimes are able to release the top  bends to clear the pipe at the top with a bit of gentle persuasion, but we need to use ladders for this.

Some downpipes go into 'sealed' drains. We have one house where there is an inspection cover next to the down pipe so we can remove dirt in the U Bend.
We also have one where the downpipes go into a sealed housing. The downpipe has to be removed. Unfortunately, we don't offer that service and they need to get a plumber or roofer in to do that job.

[Nick Day]

Make one of these for yourself https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKijkAClaSE

[Smudger]

Guys, - ive been clearing gutters with a vac for over 10 years - never needed to unblock a downpipe with a ladder - we do repairs and re-seal joints so we do use a ladder.

IME - the following has been learnt - you need a full aluminium swan next - if you have the silicone bend or end you will not get the purchase to lift out wads of cr@p in the gutter or the down pipe - if the downpipes has a ballon of similar you can only dislodge it with a solid end and an angle cut so it can run flat along the gutter

The swan neck end also needs to be swaged down slightly to 45mm (from the standard 50mm/2" diameter) 2 " is just to tight on the joins and will have difficulty in dropping into the downpipes

If your using 38mm diameter carbon pipes and hose - go home - there is not enough airflow/suction or room in the pipe to handle larger lumps and clumps.

If your really stuck then you can (where possible) soak the obstruction with water - this softens and swells the blockage and when you put the vac end on it you get a better 'seal' and can pull the whole wad out.

is it empty ? - use a camera - put your ear to the down pipe and run the gutter vac - if its clear you'll hear the air flow - put water down and listen or check the outlet at ground level

HTH

Darran

[Splash & dash]

I think you have to be careful when quoting gutter clearing, especially with downpipes as Tom has said.

If a downpipe has a 'foot' on the end then you can hear if the pipe is clear as has been said. We sometimes are able to release the top  bends to clear the pipe at the top with a bit of gentle persuasion, but we need to use ladders for this.

Some downpipes go into 'sealed' drains. We have one house where there is an inspection cover next to the down pipe so we can remove dirt in the U Bend.
We also have one where the downpipes go into a sealed housing. The downpipe has to be removed. Unfortunately, we don't offer that service and they need to get a plumber or roofer in to do that job.

When needed we fit inspection hatches in the bottom of the downpipes for customers , it’s a simple job takes about 10 muinits maximum  , all you need is a battery saw , and a couple of screwdrivers , it’s a nic3 little extra we have lots of customers ask us to fit them

[Splash & dash]

Guys, - ive been clearing gutters with a vac for over 10 years - never needed to unblock a downpipe with a ladder - we do repairs and re-seal joints so we do use a ladder.

IME - the following has been learnt - you need a full aluminium swan next - if you have the silicone bend or end you will not get the purchase to lift out wads of cr@p in the gutter or the down pipe - if the downpipes has a ballon of similar you can only dislodge it with a solid end and an angle cut so it can run flat along the gutter

The swan neck end also needs to be swaged down slightly to 45mm (from the standard 50mm/2" diameter) 2 " is just to tight on the joins and will have difficulty in dropping into the downpipes

If your using 38mm diameter carbon pipes and hose - go home - there is not enough airflow/suction or room in the pipe to handle larger lumps and clumps.

If your really stuck then you can (where possible) soak the obstruction with water - this softens and swells the blockage and when you put the vac end on it you get a better 'seal' and can pull the whole wad out.

is it empty ? - use a camera - put your ear to the down pipe and run the gutter vac - if its clear you'll hear the air flow - put water down and listen or check the outlet at ground level

HTH

Darran

Sometimes a silicon bend is better the one in the picture I posted was done using a silicon bend and we cleared the whole gutter with it , I personally find a fixed angle more fiddly although they do have there place but mine spends more time on the van than being used .
I make all my own gutter tools as I generally find the bought ones dont fit or work that well , it  costs a maximum of £2.00 per end to make m I have evan made ones in site to do awkward jobs takes just a few muinits

[jay moley]

One of these works quite well, especially if you put mains tap pressure through it.
https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/pole-fittings/quick-loqtm-gutter-spike.html

Maybe I'm not understanding this product but if it attaches to your pole surely the water flow wouldn't be strong enough to dislodge a blocked down pipe??

[Spruce]

I think you have to be careful when quoting gutter clearing, especially with downpipes as Tom has said.

If a downpipe has a 'foot' on the end then you can hear if the pipe is clear as has been said. We sometimes are able to release the top  bends to clear the pipe at the top with a bit of gentle persuasion, but we need to use ladders for this.

Some downpipes go into 'sealed' drains. We have one house where there is an inspection cover next to the down pipe so we can remove dirt in the U Bend.
We also have one where the downpipes go into a sealed housing. The downpipe has to be removed. Unfortunately, we don't offer that service and they need to get a plumber or roofer in to do that job.

When needed we fit inspection hatches in the bottom of the downpipes for customers , it’s a simple job takes about 10 muinits maximum  , all you need is a battery saw , and a couple of screwdrivers , it’s a nic3 little extra we have lots of customers ask us to fit them

Sorry to sound ignorant, but please explain. Thanks

[Splash & dash]

One of these works quite well, especially if you put mains tap pressure through it.
https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/pole-fittings/quick-loqtm-gutter-spike.html

Maybe I'm not understanding this product but if it attaches to your pole surely the water flow wouldn't be strong enough to dislodge a blocked down pipe??

You are quite right , they are very good as a gutter hook but absolutely useless to apply water into a down pipe they only have a 2 mm jet and there is not enough pressure to do any good basically the same as a wfp brush jet

[Splash & dash]

I think you have to be careful when quoting gutter clearing, especially with downpipes as Tom has said.

If a downpipe has a 'foot' on the end then you can hear if the pipe is clear as has been said. We sometimes are able to release the top  bends to clear the pipe at the top with a bit of gentle persuasion, but we need to use ladders for this.

Some downpipes go into 'sealed' drains. We have one house where there is an inspection cover next to the down pipe so we can remove dirt in the U Bend.
We also have one where the downpipes go into a sealed housing. The downpipe has to be removed. Unfortunately, we don't offer that service and they need to get a plumber or roofer in to do that job.

When needed we fit inspection hatches in the bottom of the downpipes for customers , it’s a simple job takes about 10 muinits maximum  , all you need is a battery saw , and a couple of screwdrivers , it’s a nic3 little extra we have lots of customers ask us to fit them

Sorry to sound ignorant, but please explain. Thanks

You fit this at the bottom of the down pipe it gives you access up the pipe and into the soak away cheap , quick and easy to fit customers love them 😂😂

[Spruce]

I think you have to be careful when quoting gutter clearing, especially with downpipes as Tom has said.

If a downpipe has a 'foot' on the end then you can hear if the pipe is clear as has been said. We sometimes are able to release the top  bends to clear the pipe at the top with a bit of gentle persuasion, but we need to use ladders for this.

Some downpipes go into 'sealed' drains. We have one house where there is an inspection cover next to the down pipe so we can remove dirt in the U Bend.
We also have one where the downpipes go into a sealed housing. The downpipe has to be removed. Unfortunately, we don't offer that service and they need to get a plumber or roofer in to do that job.

When needed we fit inspection hatches in the bottom of the downpipes for customers , it’s a simple job takes about 10 muinits maximum  , all you need is a battery saw , and a couple of screwdrivers , it’s a nic3 little extra we have lots of customers ask us to fit them

Sorry to sound ignorant, but please explain. Thanks

You fit this at the bottom of the down pipe it gives you access up the pipe and into the soak away cheap , quick and easy to fit customers love them 😂😂

Thank you. I did see that as an image when I googled it, but there were lots of others as well. Honestly, I have never thought of this as a solution.

[Splash & dash]

I think you have to be careful when quoting gutter clearing, especially with downpipes as Tom has said.

If a downpipe has a 'foot' on the end then you can hear if the pipe is clear as has been said. We sometimes are able to release the top  bends to clear the pipe at the top with a bit of gentle persuasion, but we need to use ladders for this.

Some downpipes go into 'sealed' drains. We have one house where there is an inspection cover next to the down pipe so we can remove dirt in the U Bend.
We also have one where the downpipes go into a sealed housing. The downpipe has to be removed. Unfortunately, we don't offer that service and they need to get a plumber or roofer in to do that job.

When needed we fit inspection hatches in the bottom of the downpipes for customers , it’s a simple job takes about 10 muinits maximum  , all you need is a battery saw , and a couple of screwdrivers , it’s a nic3 little extra we have lots of customers ask us to fit them

Sorry to sound ignorant, but please explain. Thanks

You fit this at the bottom of the down pipe it gives you access up the pipe and into the soak away cheap , quick and easy to fit customers love them 😂😂

Thank you. I did see that as an image when I googled it, but there were lots of others as well. Honestly, I have never thought of this as a solution.

It’s a,so useful if worst case senario you want to put a jetting hose up to unblock a down pipe 45 feet up it will do it no problem, we do a lot of high buildings this way , where access is an issue for cherry pickers , the picture I put up isn’t the brand we use but it is the same principle , you can also get them with a screw on lid instead of screws they are very neat and barely noticeable

[robert mitchell]

One of these works quite well, especially if you put mains tap pressure through it.
https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/pole-fittings/quick-loqtm-gutter-spike.html

Maybe I'm not understanding this product but if it attaches to your pole surely the water flow wouldn't be strong enough to dislodge a blocked down pipe??

You are quite right , they are very good as a gutter hook but absolutely useless to apply water into a down pipe they only have a 2 mm jet and there is not enough pressure to do any good basically the same as a wfp brush jet

I have unblocked a couple with this tool , but only  with good mains pressure from outside tap , no chance from wfp pump.

[Oliver James]

These are out T's and C's for gutter jobs.

"Here are our T's and C's for the work we are going to do tomorrow.

1. The service we are offering is a vacuum of the roofline and ground floor guttering.
2. We can unblock downpipes most of the time as long as the blockage is near the top of the downspout. If we are not able to unblock the downpipes we will let you know and put you in touch with a specialist. "

I keep ladders on board, with a stand off as well, but I don't enjoy going up the ladder!

[Plankton]

Just bought a new ladder for gutter clearing!
Problems I had with the vac were poor filters most of all, it won't work effectively when the filter gets chocked up and sure as poop it gets chocked up. Second is the WiFi signal to the camera freezing the screen.
I damaged one of the 3 motors on the vac as I ran it on too many jobs without the filter and I don't see the point in buying a new vac if there's not a better filter for the job.

[Smudger]

when gutter clearing you don't use the filter in the drum

Darran

[Splash & dash]

Just bought a new ladder for gutter clearing!
Problems I had with the vac were poor filters most of all, it won't work effectively when the filter gets chocked up and sure as poop it gets chocked up. Second is the WiFi signal to the camera freezing the screen.
I damaged one of the 3 motors on the vac as I ran it on too many jobs without the filter and I don't see the point in buying a new vac if there's not a better filter for the job.

In 12+ years of gutter vaccing I have never had a problem blocking a filter you don’t have a filter in the drum for  vaccing gutters it should be removed , we have cleared thousands of gutter over hundreds of hours run time and still have the original omnivac it’s still on the original motors and works as well now as it did the day I bought it . As for camera problems if you are using the cheap Chinese’s copy cameras you will have issues , but the decent ones work fine evan at 65 feet up we don’t have picture problems , the old saying buy cheap buy twise comes to mind , there are a lot of vacs out there that arnt fit for purpose , I don’t want to name them on a public forum but one well known company sell gutter vacs quite cheaply there stuff is absolute rubbish as are there poles but people buy them and then get no end of problems and say vacs are no good , before buying one do some reasearch don’t just buy on price and you will find it’s money well spent

[TomCrowther]

Yes, I agree. Throw the filter and keep the drum clean. You won't have any issues. I am also on the original Omnivac

[Smudger]

looks like the Omnivacs are still going after many a year 

[Plankton]

Mmm nick day? Yes poop to deal with and I've no problems saying that.
Cheap cam, Sony
Vac with no filter will suck up sht and break... End of!
I've not used a vac to clear gutters for at least a couple of years and as said buy cheap buy twice but the Honda Geny wasn't cheap not the poles etc, just the filtration for the work I was doing.

[Splash & dash]

Mmm nick day? Yes poop to deal with and I've no problems saying that.
Cheap cam, Sony
Vac with no filter will suck up sht and break... End of!
I've not used a vac to clear gutters for at least a couple of years and as said buy cheap buy twice but the Honda Geny wasn't cheap not the poles etc, just the filtration for the work I was doing.

😂😂
We haven’t experienced this with our camera system
Our vacs are 9+ years old and done hundreds of jobs still on original motors no filter used .what brand of vac have you got ??

[Plankton]

Made in china rebrand in Germany effort.
I asked a long time ago about the filter and it was tumble weed. So folks are running thier £1500 vacs with no filter which is their to protect the motor from debris? I'd guess they didn't want to answer incase it voided the warranty at the time!
Seriously though your a braver man than me to spend £1500 on a vacuum cleaner and clear gutters with no filter what so ever.

[Splash & dash]

Made in china rebrand in Germany effort.
I asked a long time ago about the filter and it was tumble weed. So folks are running thier £1500 vacs with no filter which is their to protect the motor from debris? I'd guess they didn't want to answer incase it voided the warranty at the time!
Seriously though your a braver man than me to spend £1500 on a vacuum cleaner and clear gutters with no filter what so ever.

I have an old omnivac had it at least 9 years never had a filter in it works fine I have Evan overfilled it several times and had water coming out of the motor s housing without a problem. I also have a Grippatank vac that also doesn’t use a filter had that about 3 years works fine no problem at all . I believe that the skyvac industrial does  have a cleanable filter that must be used , but don’t have one so cannot be sure , I have been wanting to buy the skyvac but the old omnivac just goes on and on and it’s such a good piece of kit I don’t want to get rid of it

[Smudger]

I suppose it depends on what vac your buying and yes, the cheapo ones most likely need the filter bag

the Omnivac is a Soteco - when it arrived from Omnivac the instructions were NOT to use the filter bag on gutter clearing  - it is after all a genuine wet/dry vac - there is a secondary filter (wire mess) and float valve in the head - the filter bag is solely for internal dust extraction work

sorry if I missed your thread on filter bags in vacs 

Darran

[Plankton]

I was originally looking at a Viper which at the time someone in the know on here said had the soteco motors in them. There's now someone on eBay selling them on eBay for around £485 posted with the modified inlet which is obviously a good improvement.

[robert mitchell]

I was originally looking at a Viper which at the time someone in the know on here said had the soteco motors in them. There's now someone on eBay selling them on eBay for around £485 posted with the modified inlet which is obviously a good improvement.

Have you got a link?

[Plankton]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viper-LSU375-Cyclonic-Gutter-Vacuum-c-w-10M-X-51MM-Hose-Brand-New-3-Motor-3000W/202665393643?hash=item2f2fcc7deb:g:L~cAAOSwWN5cWG0G

[Plankton]

Or buy the parts,
https://www.grippatank.co.uk/51mm-numatic-cyclonic-side-entry

https://www.grippatank.co.uk/gasket-for-cyclonic-side-entry-port

[robert mitchell]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viper-LSU375-Cyclonic-Gutter-Vacuum-c-w-10M-X-51MM-Hose-Brand-New-3-Motor-3000W/202665393643?hash=item2f2fcc7deb:g:L~cAAOSwWN5cWG0G

Thank you .

[Splash & dash]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viper-LSU375-Cyclonic-Gutter-Vacuum-c-w-10M-X-51MM-Hose-Brand-New-3-Motor-3000W/202665393643?hash=item2f2fcc7deb:g:L~cAAOSwWN5cWG0G

Thank you .

To be fair they arnt  a bad vacuum a friend of mine has one , big and bulky but provided you have the space in the van will be ok , just watch the carriage that the drum fits onto like most it’s not the strongest he broke one of the casters off it 😂😂 when pushing it round full of sludge 

[Plankton]

I've got the same size and just used a foldable sack barrow to move it around, means you can bump it up and down stairs etc.

[Smudger]

mines 4 wheel drive - we fitted 200mm diameter wheels all round on ours 

[Plankton]

What cameras are folks using and how long does the battery last. I'd maybe (only maybe) consider buying the Viper vac and if I did I'd maybe look at a different camera setup.

[Smudger]

go-pro lookie likey - sj cam (£45)

we use a spare slx 25 with the camera adaptor from gardiners -   camera lasts all day - we use it in 10 minute bursts four maybe 5 times in a day - still going but always put on charge on return to unit

Darran