Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Jason Watkins · Exterior Cleaner

Gutters and roof cleaning.

gutterdog · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I couldn't pull up the link, but I read sewer jetter. I've thought about getting one (sewer jetter) for under ground drain cleaning. Anytime using water to clean gutters usually ends up with a mess on the siding. My 2 cents.
It would be worth a shot to try it.

EDIT: If I remember right, those jetters use 1/4 in. line? The advantage to the smaller pressure line is going around bends, like elbows in downspouts etc??

-- Edited by gutterdog on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 03:59:31 PM

Jason Watkins · Exterior Cleaner

I think I'll make a new topic to discuss the sewer jetters.

Link.

-- Edited by Jason Watkins on Tuesday 3rd of April 2018 04:26:44 PM

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We do not clean gutters or even concerned with them for roof cleaning. With the proper roof mix little will end up in the gutter.

As to the sewer jetter. We have 100' of 1/4" hose and a set of tips. If you have a K-7 the orifice is too small and the K-7 opens and closes. I had them drilled out at a machine shop. Problem solved. We haven't used them much, but when needed, the system works well. It is no good for down spouts. A toilet auger works extremely well for the bends at the top.

Jason Watkins · Exterior Cleaner

Thanks Brett. Pleased to hear you dont mess with the gutters... makes me feel better about making it an option for the customer (if i want to do it), rather than a requirement. I'm getting better with the runoff, so makes sense that it shouldnt be a huge issue anyway if you apply chems moderately.

Jim Prom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We go ahead and give them a quote to inspect, clean and flush the gutters.

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

It amazes me how many times people will assume we can just "spray 'em out while we're up there". I don't usually care about there being stuff in the gutters when roof cleaning. I will blow out what I can since I blow the roof off before we clean, but cleaning gutters is the most undervalued service we offer...AND the most dangerous.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Bryan P wrote:
It amazes me how many times people will assume we can just "spray 'em out while we're up there". I don't usually care about there being stuff in the gutters when roof cleaning. I will blow out what I can since I blow the roof off before we clean, but cleaning gutters is the most undervalued service we offer...AND the most dangerous.

I couldn't agree more Bryan! I raised our gutter cleaning prices, stopped taking on gutter cleaning only jobs and as we more forward will only service our previous customers if they want to pay our higher price. We do gutter cleaning now if oit's part of another service. The crews are happy with the whole gutter thing changing.

Zach Maynard · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Every quote we send out includes a price for gutters, no I will not clean them for free. Although I do wish they were free flowing to help control runoff.

Brian C Jackson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We don't worry about if the gutters are cleaned out or not. We don't even offer a price to clean the gutters because it is not worth it.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brian C Jackson wrote:
We don't worry about if the gutters are cleaned out or not. We don't even offer a price to clean the gutters because it is not worth it.

I find that leaves in the gutters help with "filtering". Not only with run off but in the event there are light rains after we leave.

Steve Salley · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Good points. Leaf filter huh? I thought there was a company that did that... :)

Dave O · Retired Member

We only offer gutter cleaning as an up-sale to roof cleaning. Otherwise it's just not worth the trip to only clean gutters.

Jason Watkins · Exterior Cleaner

Great info, everyone!

Jim Prom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I find it interesting that many think there is no money in gutter cleaning, maybe we just charge more. I know guys who make a ton doing the same communities in the spring and again in the fall, good source of residual income. Even for us, a residential cleaning makes us our minimum hourly rate. Good discussion though.

Chris Mozick · Approved Exteior Cleaner

We always try to add gutter cleaning services to our roofs. Over here we make good money cleaning gutters. I have probably 5-10 places that I clean twice a year and some pay extremely well.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

No more Gutter Cleaning for me