Hi all
I’ve been lurking around this website for a week and this is my first post. What a fantastic resource! I’ll be retiring shortly and I think this line of work would be a good fit for me. I’m planning to have gutter cleaning as one of my services and would like to do it from the ground, whenever possible. So I’m planning to get a pressure washer and a long extension pole with a curved piece on the end (don’t know what the pros call it) and maybe a Gutter Ball (anyone use this?) I know this is going to be messy, but I’d really prefer to not spend a lot of time climbing and moving a ladder, especially third storey.
Can someone please recommend a lightweight setup for doing residential gutters. Does someone make CF poles for this? I want to be able to reach third storey gutters.
I’m also planning to purchase WFP for windows. Do I have to use a totally separate pole setup for PW?
Okay, I’ve done some more research and I’m thinking the gutter vac system from JRacenstein would be a better way to go. Not near as messy. It seems that everyone in UK is using a vac system. Maybe I could chase it with a pressure wash(?).
Don’t buy that vac system! The pole is horrible and heavy!
There is a really good carbon fiber one coming out in about a month from IPC. I had the chance to play with it last month and its really awesome super light weight and stiff.
I don’t think there is going to be a way to attach a wfp brush to it. The price of window cleaning wfp’s has come way down lately, let us know if you have any specific questions. We are happy to help.
That’s great to hear, Chris! I was quite puzzled that there seemed to be so much gutter vac stuff available in UK, but next to nothing here in the colonies. I plan to buy separate wfp, anyway. But I’m still in the planning stages. Gotta get a solid business plan in place before I pull the plug on a steady gov’t job with benefits.
There is no ready made solution for carbon poles for pressure washing - - Omnipole do Aluminium poles (Heavy) and there are generic glass fibre poles available (Heavy and bendy) for pressure washing, but they’re terrible to use! The kick of the water makes it almost impossible to control the lance, even at only 18’ - 20’ for residential gutters. I personally tried making my own carbon fibre pole for this purpose,… it doesn’t work!! The pole was a lot lighter and more rigid,… but because it hadn’t any weight behind it, it was even harder to control against the force of the water spraying out.
For cleaning gutters my favourite 2 methods would be:
WFP - perfect for gutters that aren’t too dirty and easily usable up to 35’ or even higher with a bit of practice. Using a Virosol or TFR pre-spray can really speed up removal of heavy dirt.
For larger properties with gutters up to about 25’ an x-jet chemical sprayer for your pressure washer is BRILLIANT - - you simply spray on your chem, wait 10 mins & rinse it off. The downside is that you have to be careful with your chems as they can damage plants, and on windy days the overspray can go quite a distance!
Any word on this yet, Chris? I did the first level gutter at the front of my place and got about 8 lbs of asphalt granules and sludge from about 30 ft of gutter. Mind you, that was the first clean since I built the house 13 years ago. I attempted to clean the back gutter, but that’s two stories up; my 24’ ladder with stand-offs just reached and it was a bit on the steep side. Not being used to ladders, I got 3/4 of the way up and chickened out. But I need to get that gutter cleaned, as that’s the one I’m planning to use for rainwater collection.
If I don’t find a way to clean the gutter from the ground then I guess I’ll just have to have a couple of drinks of liquid courage and try the ladder again. j/k
Gutter cleaning is a whole lot easier from ladders. If you’re scared to use ladders this might not be the right line of work, at some point ladder work will be necessary even if you have a gutter vac or WFP.
What you could do if get a 12’ extension pole and attach a scoop/gutter spoon/tool to it and possible only place the ladder a couple times when cleaning gutters. As far as removing asphalt from gutters… If you try to get it all out it will take forever, although the hose makes that easier.
I’ve noticed many people love to have clean gutters but don’t want to pay a lot to have them clean. Unless a gutter is completely clogged I don’t bring a hose up to clean anything. It’s too time consuming and brings down what I make per hour.
Gutter cleaning is full of people doing an entire house for $30-$40 at least around me.
I try to set my job apart by hand scooping everything, then bagging it and removing it from their property. I also keep caulking and tools to do light repairs if anything is loose or appears to be coming undone. I also inspect the surrounding areas for repairs they may need that I don’t offer, for example last week I noticed some wood that was rotting out on a fascia board and I let the customer know. It was at a corner they might not have easily spotted from the ground.
So my advice is to keep practicing on a ladder because the more you do it the better you’ll get at it and it won’t be so scary after awhile. You’ll also save a ton of money starting up while you learn how to properly use ladders.
Mike Radzik
Pro Window Cleaning
Central Massachusetts
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
It was a bit windy the day I attempted the climb and it was touch and go even getting the ladder fully extended that day, too. I’ll have another go at it. I have worked at heights when I was younger (working on antennas on Navy destroyers and insulating my vaulted ceiling) and I think you’re right - it’s probably just a matter of practice and then the heights won’t bother me so much.
Ross, I tried the gutter vac route and whilst it works in the UK it does not work over here in Canada. The gutters over there have brackets underneath so,it’s a nice smooth path from end to end. They also run 220 volts so you can run 3 vacuum motors. With the gutter hangers inside the gutter and 110 v that’s why they do not work over here.
Good to know. I’m still waiting for a calm day so I can try my new 28’ ladder for cleaning my own gutters. I had a 24’, but found it had to be fully extended for my second floor gutters and at that height, with the wind blowing, it didn’t feel sturdy enough for my liking - even though it was a 300lb capacity ladder.
I use this for my pw extension pole 18ft Telescoping Pressure Washer Extension Wand | eBay with a gutter ball. I have to admit this is a heavy set up but is manageable even at 18ft extended when using of a body harness belt to support the weight of the pole. I have mixed feelings about the gutter ball though, it works great often, but not always. I have had the ball pop off the pole into the gutter at 20’ high and then had to break out my ladder to rescue it! The gear together is heavy and awkward, and you’ll need to coordinate your movements gently to do the work. If you get it right, it’s smooth going but I have to say I don’t bust the gutter ball out that often, preferring leaf blowing or by hand clean out at times.
But I need to get that gutter cleaned, as that’s the one I’m planning to use for rainwater collection.
