i was advised by an experienced pressure washer--a friend of a friend--not to use my pw (3500 devilbiss, 13 hp honda engine) on gutters because most were so poorly installed that they'ed get torn loose. any opinions on that? any advice? am i having a flasback or have i seen an ad for a wand extender with a curved end for cleaning gutters from the ground? does such exist? are they any good? do they damage gutters?

also, what's the general practice about cleaning leaves and debris from the ground if you've blown out the gutters with a blower or pw? is cleaning that up usually considered part of the job or is it ordinarily left for the yardman or homeowner to worry about along with the leaves already on the ground. i recognize that it's an appropriate topic for discussion with the customer but am wondering if there is a general practice in the industry. i'd just as soon not do it, because it's time-consuming and doesn't seem to me to justify a very high hourly return as compared to getting the crap out of the gutters. on the other hand, i don't want my customers to think that i'm not willing to do the whole job. is this the kind of thing that might justify a 2 tier quote--x amount if i just have to empty the gutters but x + y if i've got to bag what i remove.

and if they do want it bagged, in your experience, is it quicker to do it by hand into a bucket or to blow it out and them clean it up from the ground/bushes?

finally, i'm planning on focusing on gutters that are high or otherwise difficult to reach because i figure there isn't as much competition and the added risk/difficulty justifies an otherwise unconscionable hourly rate. any thoughts on this? is the various safety equipment i've seen on a couple of sites effective? worth the money? damaging to roofs or gutters?

thanks for whatever insights you have to share.

richard

Some will disagree here........but here's my take on it:

If you are going to clean the inside of the gutters, a power washer is not the tool of choice. Will make a mess. It would be easier to clean them by hand, placing the debris into a bucket. I dont think your power washer would damage the gutters, as your friend suggested, but, standing on the ground will allow you to do only a half-ass job at best. It only takes a handful of leaves to clog a downspout, so, if you dont get them all out of there, you have not done it properly. You also have to inspect the downspouts to make sure they are not clogged.

In my opinion, cleaning the inside of the gutters is never "part of the job" when washing a house. If they want the gutters cleaned (inside), that is a seperate issue, and should be charged seperately.

Mike Hughes,
Everclear Cleaning Services, Inc.
Souderton, PA

email me at sbnetwork at Comcast.net

I agree. Using your p.w. will blow debris everywhere and it takes longer to clean it up when its on the ground then if you were to just scoop it out. Get a gutter scooper from H.D. for a couple bucks. It's a simple tool, but makes the job go much faster. I've never gone above two stories and always used the old fashioned way by ladder or standing on roof.

"Have no regrets of yesterday, and no fears of tomorrow."