Gutter Vac

[Dan Paton]

As per the title. How many of you use them. I've just ordered one. I've had an unusually high amount of enquiries recently for gutter cleaning (I usually say no unless it's a regular customer). I had a play around a long time ago with an old porty and some poles and it worked surprisingly well. So I've ordered an 80 litre wet vac.
The big question is do you find it that much quicker than running up a ladder or just easier.
I accept a ladder is always going to be needed for certain jobs but what's your thoughts on a vac system( good or bad).

 

[daniel crouch]

Got rid of ours - most of our sites are commercial though ,so just use an access lift now .

Reasons why - Ali tubes far too heavy to use all day - carbons much better .
When there blocked there blocked so it take ages some times to spike them loose etc .
Even with a good set up you will always come across an area you need ladder off for a house or an office .
Need a decent generator to run them or hope your customers always home ? Most people don't ask you to clean clean ones they only call when there chock full .

For domestic a ladders footed with a stand off always works even if an extension pole and scoops needed to reach past torys .

It is a good selling point on the plus side what you want to do is dig said house out and get them in a yearly revisit as they won't be full of crap next time - also remind them that insurance don't like to pay out for water damage from gutters if they can not prove that have been cleaned . Makes it a better sell been true .

Other bug bears - low roof tiles so you can't get small nozzle in to guttering , a camera is s good addition but you can feel what your doing most of the time .
Blocked down pipes pain .

As long as you don't mind having ladders off when needed and charge well it can be a good add on . Add extra for facia and external gutter cleaning at same time and your on double money's.

Which vac and poles did you get ?

 

[Nick Robertson-Vousden]

We have a gutter system in stock, 4200 watt Tripple vac, side entry cyclonic inlet port( larger than most) 40ft full carbon ultra light poles and all the tools, includes canvas bag for all the poles, we also have the camera ans screen system to suit.

Price is under £2K

Pics too follow

Best regards

Nick

 

[Dan Paton]

Too late Mine has been delivered. Looks like a good set up though.
@daniel crouch
I bought a 3000w vac off eBay then modified the inlet to a little over 2 inches. I've got a set of ally poles for now. Light when holding them vertical. However I had to reach over a garage and got A bit of arm ache. I don't think any vac will ever replace ladders but it's another tool in the kit . I've got a bungalow to do later but it will be a waste of time bringing a vac. I'll have it clear in the time it would take to set a vac up.

 

[daniel crouch]

- like anything it's a tool and if it's makes life easier for you all the better .

3000w is a good base unit some say you can use smaller but I wouldn't of wanted to .
Few good jobs and it'll pay for its self .

The numerical with a side entry port were quite good anti blocking units .

Is this what you did or did you just put a 2 inch port on ?

If you've got a super light modular pole the number 6 sections can be used as carbon gutter poles too !

Looking forward to pics Nick . You'll be a one stop shop soon ! For all cleaning equipment always a good thing

 

[Robert Bailey]

Mines sat in the lockup only used it about 10 times.

 

[Phillip Mitchinson]

i use a 3000w vac with 2" inlet and carbon poles great add on and yes you will need ladders now and then but the vac is great and the theatre of it means you can add a bit extra and say you'll check all downspouts etc a bungalow or house only takes an hour or less with packing up and away and say £60 charge it's not bad money mate