[michael papworth]

Here's my solution to cleaning gutters/fascias/soffits from the ground. It's simply a Harris pole with a brush and a spray attached. That's just a water fed pole. The difference is in the brush and the spray.

Photo 1 - the complete article


Photo 2 - the brush and spray head - the spray head is just attached with cable ties.


Not a great engineering solution, but it works for now.

Photo 3 - the trigger - the trigger is attached using a bike lock bracket.


Again, not a great engineering solution, but it works for now. Cable ties would do just as well but would need to be tightened carefully. Too much and i think it might damage the trigger.

Photo 4 - the trigger attaches to the 5 mm hose by a compression joint and the spray head attaches the same way


The spray head and trigger are taken from a Matabi lance.


This is available from Countrywide. Simply remove the lance tube from the lance and fit the trigger at one end of the pole hose and the spray at the other end.

URL for the lance: www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=1957

The way I've used it is to:

First of all, pre-soak a good length of guttering.

1 - spray a section to soak it well

2 - brush the section without any water flow

3 - rinse off

If I can see I've missed any bits, I just repeat, then go on to the next section.

I've used it with tap water and I've used it with pure. Pure is maybe a little faster.


I use a trolley. I always have a can of tfr in the van. I'm going to try using that to pre-soak next time just to see if it makes much difference.

Any questions, please ask.

[jodan63]

where did you get the brush from?

[nat]

i find a vikan head is adequate enough to get far enough behind the gutter to clean as well as the fascia board!

[michael papworth]

Total cost:

Pole - £15
Spray and trigger - £8.50
Brush head - about £6, but I'm not sure about that.

Other bits and pieces - not much, lying around the garage anyway.

Use the customer's water and hose reel and someone has got a complete business that you could carry out on a bicycle for less than £50.

PLUS - you can simply walk down the street and see straight away who needs your services and who doesn't. - Precision canvassing!!!!

[michael papworth]

where did you get the brush from?

Can't remember, but you'll probably find something similar in a Pound Shop.

This is only for doing gutters. Any old flat broom will do as long as the bristles are long enough. Save your expensive (and heavy!) Vikan for windows where its quality is needed.

Or you might be able to use a paste brush like this one: £2.49 from B&Q