[Smurf]

you must get all easy access jobs then not having the need to use guttervac poles?

[Griffus]

you must get all easy access jobs then not having the need to use guttervac poles?

Never had a problem with the work I have taken on, but to be fair they're not exactly our main core of business. I have declined the odd job, not totally due to access, though it has been a partial factor,

I wouldn't generally go above two storey work for gutters but if regular client insisted on it then would consider. Anything above I'd either consider cherry picker or if unsuitable or too expensive for domestic then I'd have to consider other options, which may well include adapting one of our WFP's to take the vac hose, or even subbing to some one with poles.

If all of a sudden we were having gutter cleaning requested all the time then I'd consider purchasing poles, but as per my previous, I think ladders will in most cases be a definite requirement.

Incidentally, there are better ladder safety devices out there in terms of practicality and speed of use. That kit you linked looks great, but I would imagine it becomes a bit cumbersome for all day use on most sites, which are rarely surrounded by pathways or the like.

[Smurf]

I've tried many ladder safety devices in the past and found the combination of using an ankalad & microlite standoff beats them all for ladder stability hands down.

[G O Cleaning]

To be honest so say gutter vacs are not all they are cracked up to be so be expected to still use ladders when required. After saying that they are a handy tool to have in the van as on some jobs I will use both methods.

Myself I started out buying a guttervac thinking great I don't need ladders but found out rather quickly the hard way that was a big mistake.

If you are worried about using ladders to clear guttering as safely as you can then I would recommend using an ankalad & microlite stand-off as in example pic.


 

Just looking at your pic, setup looks interesting but why is the stand off positioned above the gutter line hence pushing against the tiles and not the wall ?

[Griffus]

To be honest so say gutter vacs are not all they are cracked up to be so be expected to still use ladders when required. After saying that they are a handy tool to have in the van as on some jobs I will use both methods.

Myself I started out buying a guttervac thinking great I don't need ladders but found out rather quickly the hard way that was a big mistake.

If you are worried about using ladders to clear guttering as safely as you can then I would recommend using an ankalad & microlite stand-off as in example pic.


 

Just looking at your pic, setup looks interesting but why is the stand off positioned above the gutter line hence pushing against the tiles and not the wall ?

This is the major benefit of this stand-off against the regulars. It's a good bit of kit and designed to be equally as good on the tiles as up the wall. A big plus point when cleaning gutters.

I have to admit I may well buy one. There have been times when this would have been very useful to me. The price is a bit steep though 

[Smurf]

I've found roofline work is much easier and safer to do using both an ankalad and with the mirolite standoff resting on roof tiles as it is designed to do you're in a much better posistion to work safely

Now in this example pic part of the job I gave up trying to use a guttervac to get the sods out but would have been near impossible to use just a normal ladder to get to what with the sat dishes fence etc being in the way.

Whilst I was up there also cleared the right hand side roof valley too that was badly blocked.

If you ask me using an ankalad and microlite standoff together for roofline work is defo a no brainer



 

[Smurf]

Regarding cost you can pickup good used ones from fleebay when they come up in auctions.

If memory serves me right I paid in total less than a hundred quid for both in seperate listings including delivery. I also bought another brand new ankalad boxed (never been used) for only £25 that I keep as a spare. So just goes to show you can get bargains on good old fleebay and save yourself a fortune. Likewise with guttervac kit as ppl find out gutter clearing using a guttervac can be bloody hard work so get rid

[Smurf]

Wished I had a camera today but my last one had broke. One of my jobs was a call out to unblock a swan neck that had a rudy great long screw through the joint. Needless to say the bend was backed up and the guttering was full of water that had no where to go.

Where I had to set my ladder was on a badly sloping slippery wet grass bank and was told that the previous owner had his ladder slip away trying to unblock it.

I had no such issue using me ladder with the ankalad stabalisers deployed and the mircrolite this time resting on the wall.

Only issue that I did have I got very wet when I took the joints apart as the guttering was full of water  

image from google street view

[G O Cleaning]

I've found roofline work is much easier and safer to do using both an ankalad and with the mirolite standoff resting on roof tiles as it is designed to do you're in a much better posistion to work safely

Now in this example pic part of the job I gave up trying to use a guttervac to get the sods out but would have been near impossible to use just a normal ladder to get to what with the sat dishes fence etc being in the way.

Whilst I was up there also cleared the right hand side roof valley too that was badly blocked.

If you ask me using an ankalad and microlite standoff together for roofline work is defo a no brainer



 

Thks for that the microlite standoff looks good we will give it a go, always have 2 ops for ladder works and use big grip at the base which works well on inclines etc.

Curious why do you hide  ?

Cheers Mike

[chris scott]

I put the back pack blower on the downspouts from the bottom....clears most of them!

[Smurf]

Myself I like to see what is causing the blockage in the first place and remove it which could be anything from broken bits of tile/mortar, balls, twigs, firework sticks, dead birds etc etc etc and one of the strangest ones was a plastic dolls leg. That one needed the long screws removed that some numpty thought was a good idea to hold the joints together.

I put the back pack blower on the downspouts from the bottom....clears most of them!

[Smurf]

I work mostly on my own mike hence why I use that kit so don't need anyone to foot the ladder and all that. That ladder config works very well even on the most slippery surfaces too. Regarding hiding I also take the pics myself and the last one was from google street view.
 
[/quote] Thks for that the microlite standoff looks good we will give it a go, always have 2 ops for ladder works and use big grip at the base which works well on inclines etc.

Curious why do you hide  ?

Cheers Mike
[/quote]

[G O Cleaning]

I've found roofline work is much easier and safer to do using both an ankalad and with the mirolite standoff resting on roof tiles as it is designed to do you're in a much better posistion to work safely

Used the stand off first time today, works well, makes access on to roofs easier / safer thks 

[Smurf]

Nice one bud...glad to be of any help

I've found roofline work is much easier and safer to do using both an ankalad and with the mirolite standoff resting on roof tiles as it is designed to do you're in a much better posistion to work safely

Used the stand off first time today, works well, makes access on to roofs easier / safer thks