[Evan]

I’m after some tips and advice with regards to gutter cleaning with gutter vac. Never done it before but thinking of buying one. It obviously needs plugging in…is it a ball ache if the job doesn’t have outdoor electric supply? Do you always have to use extension lead? Any more tips and advice would be much appreciated cheers.

[Spruce]

I’m after some tips and advice with regards to gutter cleaning with gutter vac. Never done it before but thinking of buying one. It obviously needs plugging in…is it a ball ache if the job doesn’t have outdoor electric supply? Do you always have to use extension lead? Any more tips and advice would be much appreciated cheers.

Plenty of help videos on Youtube.

Job done when customer is in if there is no outsider power point using own cable drum extension with rcd protection. Otherwise invest in a generator. Suggest 5.5kva due to high starting current demands by vacuum motors.

[Smudger]

Get a genny.

I know many don’t use one, but if you want the freedom to do it as and when it’s essential also cuts out the faff of waiting for the customer to sort out a socket

Get carbon fibre tubes
Invest in a solid gooseneck - these allow you to be firmer with the crud growing in the gutter and you can push back slipped tiles allowing you to clear easily

Darran

[SB Cleaning]

I’m after some tips and advice with regards to gutter cleaning with gutter vac. Never done it before but thinking of buying one. It obviously needs plugging in…is it a ball ache if the job doesn’t have outdoor electric supply? Do you always have to use extension lead? Any more tips and advice would be much appreciated cheers.

Plenty of help videos on Youtube.

Job done when customer is in if there is no outsider power point using own cable drum extension with rcd protection. Otherwise invest in a generator. Suggest 5.5kva due to high starting current demands by vacuum motors.

I agree with Spruce

I've been using gutter vacs for 12 years and never had a problem using customers electric..

Sod lugging a generator about 

[Evan]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

[SB Cleaning]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

Don't bother with ally poles you will only regret it and buy carbon later..
And 1700w isn't enough power imo..3000w min

[Spruce]

Get a genny.

I know many don’t use one, but if you want the freedom to do it as and when it’s essential also cuts out the faff of waiting for the customer to sort out a socket

Get carbon fibre tubes
Invest in a solid gooseneck - these allow you to be firmer with the crud growing in the gutter and you can push back slipped tiles allowing you to clear easily

Darran

I agree with him investing in a gen set if this is going to be his core business.

I have just managed to squeeze my Vacuum cleaner into a small corner of the van and strapped the pipes along the top of the headboard.

Mine is a 1500 watt with a smaller diamt pipe. When I enquired with the manufacturer of the vacuum cleaner they did a lot of start tests for me. One of the starts was 5kw so they recommended a 5.5kva generator. That's heavy and takes up a fair bit of floor space. I also don't use the gutter vac often enough to warrant buying a generator.
For me I just pre-arrange a convenient time to clean gutters. If they aren't going to be in, I arrange for an extension cable to be left out. I also have my own cable drum on the van.

There was a supplier who used to sell 1400 watt vacuum cleaners and said a 2kva generator was big enough to power his unit. In all the years I worked for Bosch on construction sites, we sold a 2.2 kva gen set for smaller tools under 1000 watt and anything above was 5.5kva. So our 1800 watt electric jack hammer needed a 5.5kva to power it.

If he is going to offer this as a service then I would recommend a 3000 watt unit with large bore carbon fibre poles. I would also have the cyclone inlet modification done.
See GVS (Gutter Vacuum Systems) units and their many Youtube videos o/p.

One thing suppliers never tell you about is how long it takes to clean the equipment properly after each clean.

[james peters]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

as has been said , get carbon fibre poles.
I have a gutter sucker , which is the same company that does the sky vac
I dont do a huge amount of gutters , but I have found it adequate

[Splash & dash]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

as has been said , get carbon fibre poles.
I have a gutter sucker , which is the same company that does the sky vac
I dont do a huge amount of gutters , but I have found it adequate

Gutter suckers is nothing to do with sky vac .

[SB Cleaning]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

as has been said , get carbon fibre poles.
I have a gutter sucker , which is the same company that does the sky vac
I dont do a huge amount of gutters , but I have found it adequate

Gutter suckers is nothing to do with sky vac .

I think it is the same company..

[Skinner]

Gutter vacs are great on some jobs but sometimes it's way quicker just to get up and clean by hand.
If I  use a gutter vac  on anything you still need to get up a ladder and check all  S bends are clear .

[deeege]

Some of the prices being pushed by the local new gutter vac lads on FB are ridiculous. Talking £35-£40 for a 4 or 5 bed property and they are all undercutting each other to get the work.

[SB Cleaning]

Gutter vacs are great on some jobs but sometimes it's way quicker just to get up and clean by hand.
If I  use a gutter vac  on anything you still need to get up a ladder and check all  S bends are clear .

You don't need  to get up a ladder to check a S bend ! If it's blocked then sometimes yes.

[Skinner]

How can you ever tell stood on the floor with a gutter vac the S bend is blocked???
Even the best camera in world can't see around corners.   They all need checking by hand.

[Splash & dash]

How can you ever tell stood on the floor with a gutter vac the S bend is blocked???
Even the best camera in world can't see around corners.   They all need checking by hand.

All you need to do is put the end tool in the top of the s bend if you can feel suction at the bottom of the pipe it’s not blocked , if it’s into a soak away just put a little water down the pipe you will hear it trickling down the pipe if it’s clear  nothing will be heard if it’s blocked., simple really

[SB Cleaning]

How can you ever tell stood on the floor with a gutter vac the S bend is blocked???
Even the best camera in world can't see around corners.   They all need checking by hand.

All you need to do is put the end tool in the top of the s bend if you can feel suction at the bottom of the pipe it’s not blocked , if it’s into a soak away just put a little water down the pipe you will hear it trickling down the pipe if it’s clear  nothing will be heard if it’s blocked., simple really

^^That's how it's done Skinner

[Mike Burd]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

as has been said , get carbon fibre poles.
I have a gutter sucker , which is the same company that does the sky vac
I dont do a huge amount of gutters , but I have found it adequate

Gutter suckers is nothing to do with sky vac .

Yes they are. Both sold by Spinaclean. HTH. 

[james peters]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

as has been said , get carbon fibre poles.
I have a gutter sucker , which is the same company that does the sky vac
I dont do a huge amount of gutters , but I have found it adequate

Gutter suckers is nothing to do with sky vac .

Its spinaclean.   the poles for my gutter sucker are skyvac poles also.
the gutter sucker came in spinaclean box

[Splash & dash]

Looking at the 1700w panther it comes with light aluminium anyone got one? Are the poles light enough? And what height is advisable?

as has been said , get carbon fibre poles.
I have a gutter sucker , which is the same company that does the sky vac
I dont do a huge amount of gutters , but I have found it adequate

Gutter suckers is nothing to do with sky vac .

Its spinaclean.   the poles for my gutter sucker are skyvac poles also.
the gutter sucker came in spinaclean box

Seams strange as last time I spoke to Rob at spinner clean I asked him and he said the two companies are not linked in any way ?

[Spruce]

I’m after some tips and advice with regards to gutter cleaning with gutter vac. Never done it before but thinking of buying one. It obviously needs plugging in…is it a ball ache if the job doesn’t have outdoor electric supply? Do you always have to use extension lead? Any more tips and advice would be much appreciated cheers.

My million dollar tip as a sole trader.

If you see yourself having a full window cleaning schedule without an add-on of gutter clearing, then don't offer it. In the early days, when we didn't have enough work, we offered all the regular add-ons. Now I wish we had said no and spent the time canvassing for more window cleaning accounts.

There are a few cleaners in our area who won't clear out gutters. At one time, I was horrified why anyone would turn down work, but I now understand why they stopped offering this service. Now there are a couple of businesses just offering gutter clearing services. I'm quite happy to rather let them quote for doing it.