Cleaning Box Gutters...

BertieUK

We have a large conservatory that is attatched to the gable roof of the bungalow at the rear of our property.

Three of the gutters are accessable by ladders etc, but the fourth part which is connected to the low eaves of the bungalow looks rather difficult to clean.

Does anyone have advice, other than to 'call in the specialists' ways of cleaning this side.

Considering that conservatory guttering is always laid level in accordance with BS EN 12056 Parts1,3 and 5 Code of Practice for Drainage of Roofs, this makes the cleaning of the box gutters very difficult looking.

Any suggestions please.

Robert

27col

If you can see the inside of the gutter you can clean it. You can get one of those hinged scrapers that fit onto drain rods. Failing that a bit of bent metal taped on the end of a broom handle or something similar. Have a think about it.

BertieUK

27col

Thank you very much for your suggestion, I will thinks on what you have said.

My concern is that the gutter being 'boxes' about 6 in total, that are always full of water/leaves etc, would be difficult to empty. What I would like to happen is to use something like a 'vax that would suck up the contents. Or am I dreaming ?

regards

BertieUK

Could anyone recommend a small water pump that may resolve this issue, by running a hose into each of the box sections and clean out the residue.

regards

BertieUK

BertieUK wrote: »

Could anyone recommend a small water pump that may resolve this issue, by running a hose into each of the box sections and clean out the residue.

regards

Coming back to my problem, this morning, with the help of a ladder, I climbed up onto the roof area between the conservatory and the bungalow, and found the 'box-gutters' full of water and plant growth.

Would this gutter be strong enough to carry the weight of a human being??

regards

Robert

aboard_epsilon

i bought a load of extension lances for my pressure washer.

from a company in ruthin north wales

with all the couplings etc

then plonked one of these on the top

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PRESSURE-WASHER-NOZZLE-HOLDER-SWIVEL-BENDED-U-LANCE-/160545966841?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item2561490af9

with a nozzle screwed into it .. walla

i cant climb ladders ...and was fed up with asking people ..

so this contraption does the job from the ground .



all the best.markj

BertieUK

MarkJ Many thanks for your input.

I also have a pressure washer and note your ideas.

I am in the same frame of mind as yourself, I hate asking other people for help even though I am in my 70s I will have a go at 'house maintenance' as I get a great satisfaction from being able to do things myself, with the help of this site and people like yourself.

Again many thanks

Robert

BertieUK

Markj Update.

I have finally managed to clear this box-gutter section of my conservatory by the following method.

Useing a Vax V1100 Wet/Dry Vaccuum that my wife uses to shampoo the carpets, I attatched a series of 40mm piping, that I got from my local Plumbing shop. I cut the piping into sections that I could add-to as I progressed along the box-gutter. I used a set of step ladders that was fitted with a platform to stand on comfortably. I filled the container about 6 times with a large amount of plant life that had built up over the 6 years from it being built.

The total length of guttering between the bungalow and conservatory is just over 6 metres, so I did it in two takes, one from either end of the gutter.

Now, that most of the water plant life has been removed, I will use, as you suggested, a pressure hose with extra lances to clean out any remaing dirt. I am delighte with the result.

One question I would like to ask the Forum is. Can useing a pressure washer to clean a conservatory do any damage to the sealing of the panels.

This conservatory was built by the previous occupier, as styated earlier, about 6 years ago and is of the Edwardian stlye of design.

Kind regards

Robert

aboard_epsilon

by the way .noting you are in your 70's ...the lance method isn't easy ..

first off you must have a pressure washer that is adjustable for pressure ...

i had to secure the lances to a decorators extending pole ....tied them to the side with tie raps

and have another piece coming down to the floor..to support it all

you then position it where you want along the gutter ..brace your self and the pole ..and operate trigger ..it has a tendency to want to use all the leverage..caused by the pressure...to push it right off where you positioned it...so i had to turn the pressure down on my machine ,,,my machine though is very powerful 2500 psi

so its ..position it ...squirt .turn off .move along position it again ..it ain't easy ...but it works.

YOUR Hoover thingy idea sounds much easier .

all the best.markj

bob_a_builder

Considering that conservatory guttering is always laid level in accordance with BS EN 12056 Parts1,3 and 5 Code of Practice for Drainage of Roofs, this makes the cleaning of the box gutters very difficult looking.

Whats the logic there then ( genuine question)

BertieUK

aboard_epsilon wrote: »

by the way .noting you are in your 70's ...the lance method isn't easy ..

first off you must have a pressure washer that is adjustable for pressure ...

i had to secure the lances to a decorators extending pole ....tied them to the side with tie raps

and have another piece coming down to the floor..to support it all

you then position it where you want along the gutter ..brace your self and the pole ..and operate trigger ..it has a tendency to want to use all the leverage..caused by the pressure...to push it right off where you positioned it...so i had to turn the pressure down on my machine ,,,my machine though is very powerful 2500 psi

so its ..position it ...squirt .turn off .move along position it again ..it ain't easy ...but it works.

YOUR Hoover thingy idea sounds much easier .

all the best.markj

Markj Thank you for your input.

Yes being in my 70s does have its limitations I must say, and I can assure you I know mine fully well, and live to tell the story.

regards

Robert