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Smiths Cleaning

  • Posts: 108
Gutter clearing
« on: July 15, 2014, 12:25:36 pm »
Has anyone got any experience with the vacuum gutter cleaners that are now around I've been reading a few reviews but I don't think you can beat the honest "review" you get here.
I was hoping to splash out and get one that would extend to 60ft so any comments, observations good or bad would be helpful
Thanks

drive surgeon

  • Posts: 2812
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2014, 02:57:48 pm »
Ladders and cherry picker best. Our vac doesn't get big plants and grass out or big pieces of broken tiles that are very common. We always end up getting up there. Plus a lot of tiles overhang the gutters that much you can barely get your fingers in.  Vacs can be handy but to do job properly u need to be up there on a lot of jobs.

Richy L

  • Posts: 2257
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2014, 03:22:51 pm »
Gutter vacs are a useful tool for high level stuff. But sometimes you will need to use a cherry picker.
Sometimes it is easier to get the ladders out rather than set up the gutter vac for lower gutters.

You need a gennie as well as using the customers electric supply causes too many problems and looks a bit amateur IMO.

My gutter vac goes to 40ft with carbon fibre poles. I wouldnt want to go above 40ft with them though. You will not be able to control it safely at 60ft and even with carbon fibre it will be far too heavy to use for any length of time.

drive surgeon

  • Posts: 2812
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2014, 04:42:47 pm »
What probs have u had using custys elec supply Richie? Using a granny uses more juice so surely you would have to charge even more? 

Richy L

  • Posts: 2257
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2014, 05:03:45 pm »
What I mean by problems is that your customer will have to be in at the time(or have an outside power point). Whereas if you have a generator you can do the job if the customer is at work.

Also when doing commercial jobs using a power supply may not be possible due to trailing leads and you may have to work a long way from a power point when cleaning industrial units.

If you clean the gutters on apartment blocks you will likely not have access to any power.

wpclean

Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2014, 05:40:50 pm »
The genny doesn't use that much petrol for most jobs  take an hour or so to do, also if you are using a powerful vac around 3-4 kw there is always the chance you are going to trip the custies electic.
We have a small clark vac that does most domestic properties, but on bigger jobs we use Kevins machine which holds a lot more waste.
The biggest problem we are having at the moment is the carbon fibre tubes sticking together . . . I have had three lengths stuck together on the roof rack  ;D

drive surgeon

  • Posts: 2812
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2014, 06:25:40 pm »
We don't like doing too many jobs while custys are out as it means calling back for payment which is wasted fuel and time usually evenings. We haven't had any problems using custys electric.

drive surgeon

  • Posts: 2812
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2014, 06:26:57 pm »
We use Kevin's too

wpclean

Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2014, 06:38:38 pm »
We don't like doing too many jobs while custys are out as it means calling back for payment which is wasted fuel and time usually evenings. We haven't had any problems using custys electric.
Just leave an invoice with your bank account details, and addressed envelope for sending a cheque  ;D

Richy L

  • Posts: 2257
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2014, 07:58:40 pm »
We don't like doing too many jobs while custys are out as it means calling back for payment which is wasted fuel and time usually evenings. We haven't had any problems using custys electric.
Just leave an invoice with your bank account details, and addressed envelope for sending a cheque  ;D

That's what I do. I never call back for payment.
I email bank details or address to send a cheque.

drive surgeon

  • Posts: 2812
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2014, 09:07:30 pm »
We don't except cheques. Wouldn't wipe my arse with one. It's like waiting another week to be paid.  Bank transfer or cash only.


Matt Gibson

  • Posts: 2482
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2014, 07:07:47 am »
We don't except cheques. Wouldn't wipe my arse with one. It's like waiting another week to be paid.  Bank transfer or cash only.

Moneys money.

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2014, 08:42:45 am »
I've even got paypal on my e mail invoices

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #14 on: July 16, 2014, 01:40:39 pm »
Strangely enough we don't take cash!  It costs us 1.7% to pay it in our business account and I have to send someone to the bank to do the paying in.

We accept
Cheques
Credit / Debit Cards
Paypal
BACS Transfer

This way the customer has no excuse

Kev Martin
Tiloing Logistics Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

jim mca

  • Posts: 827
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #15 on: July 16, 2014, 03:30:32 pm »
CASH is king  ;D

JandS

  • Posts: 4267
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2014, 02:48:19 pm »
You got a link to Kev's machine....can't find it on his website.
Impossible done straight away, miracles can take a little longer.

wpclean

Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2014, 04:24:43 pm »
You got a link to Kev's machine....can't find it on his website.
http://www.tilinglogistics.co.uk/Flood-EQPT-Industrial-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-3x100watt-motors?filter_name=vacuum

Couldn't find the vac without the pump, but he does one that looks the same as the above, just give him a call.

J.D

  • Posts: 636
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #18 on: August 31, 2014, 09:12:42 am »
Gutter vacs are a useful tool for high level stuff. But sometimes you will need to use a cherry picker.
Sometimes it is easier to get the ladders out rather than set up the gutter vac for lower gutters.

You need a gennie as well as using the customers electric supply causes too many problems and looks a bit amateur IMO.

My gutter vac goes to 40ft with carbon fibre poles. I wouldnt want to go above 40ft with them though. You will not be able to control it safely at 60ft and even with carbon fibre it will be far too heavy to use for any length of time.

+1   (just add a tenner onto price for using your own power supply.)

Randall

  • Posts: 4
Re: Gutter clearing
« Reply #19 on: September 16, 2014, 05:38:52 am »
Been doing it for 24 years. The only way to really get a gutter clean is by hand. Especially if it is impacted. You can get away with using a vac if it is a small amount of debree.