Thought you guys might find this post helpful. We recently bought an Omnivac system for a large commercial job.
The learning curve was large and the job was not without its technical problems. However we do gutter cleaning for domestic customers and so we did the following experiment to look at its viability domestically.
I cleaned the gutters on a bungalow using a mixture of techniques so I could decide the best way forward. I decided to do the
experiment on a bungalow as it had sections of guttering that were all at the same level from the ground and very long when compared to a normal house. Also It would be easier to use the telescopic equipment at a lower level and therefore learn the technique a little quicker, just like learning on ground floor windows.
I have a camera system on trial from omnipole to survey and record the gutters before cleaning and after cleaning. So today I used this to record the results.
There are four major sections of guttering on the bungalow all about the same length. The gutters and fascia boards needed cleaning. I used a different approach on each and timed the results.
Method1st section- by ladder and by hand- I have not cleaned a gutter like this for an age, I hated being on the ladder but cleared the gutter by hand and the washed the gutters outside and the fascia by hand. A very good result due to being up close and personal- green brackets difficult. Total time not including setting up 16 mins. Holes in lawn.
2nd section- high pressure telescopic lance inside and outside. Messy but a good result. I got a little wet and dirty as usual. To be fair this is the way I usually clean and clear gutters. Total time not including set up 7 mins. However pressure washing alone wont remove all green as agitation is sometimes required. A floor sweep would have defiantly been required!
3rd section - camera on record, playback and note dirty areas, Omnivac areas where needed, then wfp on outside of gutter and fascias. camera on record for result.
Another good result. Wfp not brilliant for green brackets. Total time not including set up 9 mins.
4th section- A mixture- Camera on record, playback then omnivac areas where needed, high pressure flush inside and then outside concentrating on brackets. wfp over main sections of gutter and fascia. camera record then playback. The best result of all. Mint clean inside and out. 11 mins not including set up time.
SummaryMy favorite way was the last as it was easier, less messy therefore I stayed dry and clean, and the result was outstanding. Ok if you had to set up all this equipment the job would take as long as doing it by hand.
Now heres the way I would do it now.
Out the van, camera and survey whole house. review results. if lots of debris present then get the omnivac out and do affected areas only, if clear or lightly soiled leave the omnivac on the van, flush with pressure lance inside and out only. wfp quick once over. camera on record. review results. This would give you the results to be able to show your customer on the player and limit how much work you actually need to do.
AdvantagesQuick, clean, safe. Easy to use once technique is mastered. Customer can see the job you have done, referrals more likely. Much quicker commercially as the set up would be required once.
Disadvantages High equipment costs, a lot of setting up and packing away. Technique for equipment needs to be learnt.
Now heres the real deal
The overall advantage is safety as at no time do you risk your health and livelihood. Another major advantage is being able to clean gutters above a conservatory etc as with wfp.
The is no doubt the set up is expensive, but so was wfp in the early days. Im sure the omnivac will become cheaper as more people buy it or competition appears (gutter keeper possibly)
To be honest we bought the omnivac specifically for a very large commercial job. If I did not have this contract would I have bought it for domestic work alone is another question.
I added a picture to show us using the omnivac in a commercial setting.
Kev
