Need jet wand or similar to clean high gutters

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duckDecoy

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#299435 7-Sep-2022 12:44

We are built on a slope, and the rear gutters are approx 3 stories above ground. They are blocked and I need to clean them. The gutters are too high to use the telescopic gutter wands I have seen.

In the past I crept nervously to the edge and fished the stuff out by hand, but I am not prepared to do that any longer. What I need is some contraption that I can use while being on the roof that keeps me away from the edge. I guess I need a long wand that has a jet of water coming out of the end. Many of the ones you can buy that I have seen have a U shape to the jet end, which is fine if you are on the ground and using it above you, but the wrong direction if you are on the roof itself.

EDIT: we are in the bush so this needs to be done 2-3 times a year due to the debris that falls onto the roof. I've been quoted $250 by gutter cleaning companies so I would prefer to buy something I can use than hire the job out.

Does anyone know of a gutter wand that has a moveable head that will rotate to a usable position for me, or perhaps any other home made suggestions?

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#2964190 7-Sep-2022 13:12

would something like this work for you?

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/nylex-12mm-telescopic-jet-wand_p0012421

i use it to clean the top of the conservatory.

shrub

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#2964199 7-Sep-2022 13:28

I'd pay them to be cleaned then put mesh covers on to prevent further build up. They will still need to be cleaned but not nearly as often.

duckDecoy

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#2964201 7-Sep-2022 13:30

nitro:

would something like this work for you?

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/nylex-12mm-telescopic-jet-wand_p0012421

i use it to clean the top of the conservatory.

I saw that nitro, but the reviews are scathing. Maybe I could just try it and return it if it didn't work.

Bung

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#2964203 7-Sep-2022 13:30

Stay off the roof, gravity will get you sooner or later. I'd start with external gutter brackets preferably big gutters like this

What ever pole or wand you find that's long enough will become a lot easier.

duckDecoy

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#2964205 7-Sep-2022 13:31

shrub:

I'd pay them to be cleaned then put mesh covers on to prevent further build up. They will still need to be cleaned but not nearly as often.

Unfortunately we have other problems. The gutters were either not installed correctly or have subsequently sagged so the water flows slightly AWAY from the downspout. So they will need to be cleaned regularly even with mesh as the sediment and silt collects and builds up. We will look to replace next time we paint the house, but thats years away yet.

Scott3

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#2964208 7-Sep-2022 13:34

Another option is to use air from a leafblower instead of water.

I have the below, and have used from the ground with good effect (but it is fiddly and annoying to use). Can remove the hook bit for straight discharge.

https://www.amazon.com.au/BLACK-DECKER-BZOBL50-Connect-Attachment/dp/B075JNM981

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duckDecoy

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#2964211 7-Sep-2022 13:46

Bung: Stay off the roof, gravity will get you sooner or later. I'd start with external gutter brackets preferably big gutters like this

What ever pole or wand you find that's long enough will become a lot easier.

Do you know the name of that guttering? That looks pretty good to me

Bung

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#2964224 7-Sep-2022 14:24

That is Marley Magnum, normally a commercial building gutter. That house is one of our neighbours and was originally intended for an area with lots of snow. Typhoon spouting is smaller but also has optional external brackets.

mdf

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#2964272 7-Sep-2022 15:43

I'm switching over to Marley Typhoon with external brackets like Bung mentions. *Sooo* much easier to clean out.

As others have said, you might like to look in to leaf slides, gutter guards, leaf catchers etc. Doesn't directly answer your question, but I think you will ultimately get much better results treating the cause of your problems rather than the symptoms.

If you can't find what you're looking for, I invested in a roofing harness the last time I painted the roof of our place: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/rhino-roofers-harness-safety-kit_p0313766. I definitely felt way happier being on the side with the three storey drop to concrete wearing this.

neb

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#2964358 7-Sep-2022 17:05

shrub:
I'd pay them to be cleaned then put mesh covers on to prevent further build up. They will still need to be cleaned but not nearly as often.

I've talked to two different people who installed those things and both recommended against them, principally because larger leaves stick to the surface and with heavy rain the water than shoots over the top and pours down the side of the house, and to a lesser extent because you still get gunk into the gutters and then can't get in to clean them out properly.

neb

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#2964361 7-Sep-2022 17:06

Scott3:
Another option is to use air from a leafblower instead of water.

Or do it with a drone. Gamify it and charge the neighbourhood kids to have a go.

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#2964362 7-Sep-2022 17:08

duckDecoy:
Do you know the name of that guttering? That looks pretty good to me

Looks like Marley Typhoon, got that put in during the Casa redo to replace the awful internal-clip stuff. Makes it vastly easier to clean out.

duckDecoy

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#2964623 8-Sep-2022 11:58

mdf:

If you can't find what you're looking for, I invested in a roofing harness the last time I painted the roof of our place: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/rhino-roofers-harness-safety-kit_p0313766. I definitely felt way happier being on the side with the three storey drop to concrete wearing this.

ooooo that looks good. Did it come with good instructions? I assume you slowly feed it out sort of like rockclimbers do?

Bung

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#2964633 8-Sep-2022 12:20

Careful, I think if you do end up suspended from the harness you need someone readily available to get you down.

It can get complicated. https://www.safetynetsnz.co.nz/safety-news/harness-suspension-trauma/

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#2964640 8-Sep-2022 12:23

duckDecoy:

mdf:

If you can't find what you're looking for, I invested in a roofing harness the last time I painted the roof of our place: https://www.bunnings.co.nz/rhino-roofers-harness-safety-kit_p0313766. I definitely felt way happier being on the side with the three storey drop to concrete wearing this.

ooooo that looks good. Did it come with good instructions? I assume you slowly feed it out sort of like rockclimbers do?

Working at heights is pretty serious stuff. You really would be best to do a training course before buying a harness.

Super basic overview. There are two modes of operation.

Fall Restraint - Most desirable mode to use. Involves using a sufficiently short theater than it is not possible go over the edge.

Fall arrest - Generally used where the above is not possible. The tether is long enough that you can fall off the edge.

Latter is especially serious. Critical to ensure that there is enough height to the ground for the system to work (normally around 7m). Note that the brick in the fall arrest tether strap is an energy absorbed that will open up (to cira 1.75m). Also essential you have a rescue plan. No there is not the means to self rescue, as suspension trauma can set in fairly fast, meaning you need another (trained) person and rescue kit on site at times.

Both mode's require good anchor points (engineered or improvised), with the loads being much larger in a fall arrest situation.

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