[Smurf]

Does anyone else struggle unblocking guttering hoppers with a guttervac?
The badly blocked ones with large sods growing in them I found a nightmare to try clear.

To be honest it would have been quicker to do by ladders than all the faffing around trying to get the sods out.

[Smurf]

Regards to faffing around.

First I tried an normal head on carbon gutter vac poles but done jack on the 3 storey sods. Then tried to break them up a bit using a makeshift hook on a wfp and then tried the vac again but still no joy.

In the end got me heavy old omni ali poles out with a omni dirt breaker ali  bend on the end and gave it some whellie. With a bit of force and more faffing around managed to break the sods up and lifted them out.

Surely there is a better way/tools out there for the job apart from using laddersand/ or any other access equipment to clear them by hand. 

[Tony Edwards]

On some occasions I have disconnected  the downpipe wherever possible and use gutter rods from below with a hook attached to break up while using the Vac from above

[Smurf]

Thanks that's an idea but would that not be a pain in the arse for the likes of 3 storey hoppers?

As I was struggling was contemplating using a telescopic pressure washer lance but would not have reached into the 3 storey ones.  Good job too if I’m honest the recoil using the gutter bend on the end of those things fully extended is shocking 

[Tony Edwards]

Not really
If its a straight run and you have plenty of rods its easy and works
Sometimes with enough force you can pop the sod straight out the hopper and its falls straight to the ground

[Smurf]

Nice one... Just need now to buy enough rods for future 3 storey hoppers and then when the issue arises again maybe give it a go.

[Smurf]

I also thought about using a pressure washer drain jetting hose from the bottom instead of rods but I'm guessing what with weight of the hose might not manage to reach the top. Has anyone tried this method as I don't want to be forking out on drain jetting hose and making myself look like a twit if it's not going to work? 

[Yada Yada Yada - www.m-clean.uk]

I don't think you will fail on the 'twit' bit.

I also thought about using a pressure washer drain jetting hose from the bottom instead of rods but I'm guessing what with weight of the hose might not manage to reach the top. Has anyone tried this method as I don't want to be forking out on drain jetting hose and making myself look like a twit if it's not going to work?

A drain jetting head runs at anything from 3 - (to about) 8 rear jets and can have a forward jet as well, though under the scenario you are talking about that is not advised.

There won't be an issue with the hose crawling up the downspout.

Have you got any pictures of the home made gutter hook - the shortcomings may be with the design?

[Smurf]

Thanks Rob. I think you're right I need to look at getting better guttervac tools sorted for awkward stuff like hoppers etc.
Regards to trying to break the sods up and maybe hook them out I was just using a carbon angle adapter extension with a spike and bent fork thingy tapped and cable tied on the ends.

Bit like this vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TY0nm_k3iw

I also found this that might come in handy on some jobs too http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SkyVac-Gutter-Cleaning-Accessory-Gutter-Fork-/252242610489  What do you think?

[Nick Day]

We made an attachment for our kits called the downpipe fork that you put into the hopper and the prongs get into the weed and you can then lift it out. We've found that no matter how powerful your vac is (we've had 4200 watt machines in the past) there are times where suction alone won't get certain weeds hence why we developed our tools.

[Smurf]

Thanks BDCS, when you say pressure washer pole do you mean a carbon wfp modded for pressure washing?
Year ago I took a look at an omni pressure washing pole and could hardly lift it up it was so heavy. Mind you the crappy 7.2 metre ali/ fibreglass pole I have is just a pile of crap for any serious work too.

[chris scott]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-Single-Barb-Spear-Tip-6mm-/131823734584

[jobjetting]

Drain jetting nozzle you would need to manually push it up after the first floor and it would make a hell of a mess!

I've found with stubborn gutters by the time you mess about trying to clear it, it's just quicker getting the ladders out

[BDCS]

Drain jetting nozzle you would need to manually push it up after the first floor and it would make a hell of a mess!

I've found with stubborn gutters by the time you mess about trying to clear it, it's just quicker getting the ladders out

Obviously 2 storey gutters you would get a ladder out but on jobs where RAMS won't allow you would need other options to complete the job. My jetter easily climbs 60 ft without assistance with a 3 r nozzle - we don't all have a girlie jetter http://www.flowplant.com/drain-jetters/products/van-pack-jetter/light-van-pack/. I also have a 13m ladder when needed.

I thought we were discussing options to complete awkward jobs not wanting to upset some amateur without the forsight to take anything he can't reach by standing on his milk crate 

[Yada Yada Yada - www.m-clean.uk]

You won't get a 13 metre ladder up a down pipe!!!

[Smurf]

 

[Kev Martin]

You won't get a 13 metre ladder up a down pipe!!!

Least-ways not with you on it Rob

[Smurf]

I've sold all me long ladders so now stand on a shoe box instead 

I don't mind using my ladder setup still on 2 storey roofline work but sod 3 storey roofline ladder work now. 

[Kev Martin]

I've sold all me long ladders so now stand on a shoe box instead 

I don't mind using my ladder setup still on 2 storey roofline work but sod 3 storey roofline ladder work now.

They must be flogging cheap shoe boxes in Lidl this week

[Smurf]

I've sold all me long ladders so now stand on a shoe box instead 

I don't mind using my ladder setup still on 2 storey roofline work but sod 3 storey roofline ladder work now.

They must be flogging cheap shoe boxes in Lidl this week

Indeed