cleaning gutters with a shop vac - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

jnoden · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-05

This will be my first full season of cleaning out gutters. I think I might purchase an 18 gal 6.5 hp shop vac and about 30 ft or so of 2.5 inch hose. Has anyone else tried a set up similar to this to clean out gutters? I understand I will still need to remove sticks by hand but this might be an easier and safer way to remove other debris.

PressurePros · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-05

I do not do gutters by themselves, if customer wants it, I add on to housewash, so take my opinion for what its worth. I tried a similar setup as an experiment using a wet/dry I had leftover form K.E.C. It was an $800 vac with decent lift and cfm (don't remember exact numbers but it could suck up sludge with no problem) When attaching 40 feet of hose I found the following.

• It's very unwieldy and tends to get coiled
• When it gets coiled, flow is impeded and leaves get stuck in hose
• When the leaves are wet, which is often in the fall, they get stuck in the hose and are a pain to cleanout.

I'd be interested to see if someone has come up with a good setup. I hate the mess and cleanup of doing gutters.

Cat Powerwash · #3 (**permalink**) 09-20-05

I clean a lot of gutters for a living. I take a 5 gal. bucket with a hook on the handle, hang it off the gutter, scoop debris out by hand using good thick rubber gloves then blow the excess out with a stihl bg 55 leaf blower. Blow all leaders out as well. If they are clogged, take them apart. Fall cleanings are easy, we just blow everything out and let the landscapers take care of the rest. Of course we blow whatever mess we make away from the house.

Henry Bockman · #4 (**permalink**) 09-20-05

Hey Cat,

We clean a lot of gutters also but why do them by hand, then use a blower? Check into some of the high powered husqaverna blowers. They will even blow out wet leaves and water from the gutters.. If you wanted them to>>

Cat Powerwash · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-05

Hey henry

blowing out the gutters is not the problem. The customers are very anal about blowing debris all over there property especially wet leaves. It doesnt take that long scooping them out by hand then blowing out any left overs. two guys average split level home about a half hour sometimes less depending on the crap in the gutters.

Aplus · #6 (**permalink**) 09-22-05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Powerwash

Hey henry

blowing out the gutters is not the problem. The customers are very anal about blowing debris all over there property especially wet leaves. It doesnt take that long scooping them out by hand then blowing out any left overs. two guys average split level home about a half hour sometimes less depending on the crap in the gutters.

My exact sentiments.....

Doc-Joe · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aplus

The customers are very anal about blowing debris all over there property especially wet leaves...

I'm picking up a condo complex because the last company just threw the debris on the ground. The board finally got fed up with the mess. I'm also inserting gutter filter.

Henry Bockman · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-05

Hey Doc,

Where are you from in Maryland?? I'm in Germantown and if you don't mind bagging the gutter debris, I might have a couple of clients for you. Give me a call or email me your number and we can chat.

301-353-9234