I could use some advice on gutter cleaning. I do the usual HW mix, let sit and let the living stuff die off, but around here the gutters overflow and leave behind…junk.
I get flak for keeping my high pressure shooter tip but find it works fairly well on metal gutters when the dirt just refuses to come off, mainly on the second story.
Short of physically scrubbing with a brush and pole (not possible) what else can be done?
I have just gotten in the habit of giving the gutters a quick scrub while I let my mix dwell. But that came from me not wanting to waste time re-hitting them or the peak fascia.
If they look horrid from the start I make a mini hot mix in a small tub to dunk my scrub head in and brush it on ahead off time while I bag and tape that sides hazards. I am pretty used to using a pole from my window work so anything up to around 30’ is routine.
Clarifying question: why isn’t it possible to scrub the ones you run into if it’s just second story? And you are talking debris and not the black stripping right?
I also have a 6 foot wand I used to use for gutters, that with my 6’ ladder and reach put me in striking distance with a green tip to get them smooth again too.
I’ve also made a habit of giving the gutters a quick scrub if they aren’t looking so good. Makes a big difference and gives me something to do while soaps dwelling. Get yourself a 30ft extension pole and a soft brush. Called a window brush I believe
Too many weird angles and trees are in the way. I do have extension poles though.
I’ll usually hit gutters with Guy’s Shooter tip or long range soap nozzle and it usually cleans them up. Every now and then I might use the long range rinse nozzle if it doesn’t want to come off. What also helps is if you hit the gutter with a another round of mix or even a little stronger mix.
I also agree with the guys above. A quick scrub with a brush only takes a few minutes. I don’t do this very often though.
Southside has a few brushes, I’ll have to check them out. I guess any decent stiff bristled one will work.
+1 on light brushing of gutters after HW is applied. I had a nightmare job a while back, applied standard HW mix to the south and east sides of the house first thing in the morning before the sun was over the trees, came back to rinse and the paint on the gutters started to wash off like milk running down the wall. Freaked out a bit, finished the house and concrete without washing the rest of the gutters, came back and spoke with the customer, comped the $450 job. Still waiting to see what they want to do but I’ll fix it to save my reputation if that’s what is necessary. Never seen gutter paint oxidize that badly.
Like I said a soft brush works great. I get them from Princess Auto 
Lowe’s Carrie’s Unger poles and brushes. I have a bucket of different brushes for different tasks. I hate having to brush but sometimes it’s necessary. I try to use as hot of a mix as possible before I break out the brush though.
Same Max, my brush is a blue soft brush that was meant for auto cleaning. Takes a little more agitation at some points, but I don’t want to scratch anything with a firm brush.
For those who don’t like the feel of the thinner window extensions, my main go to is a fiberglass painters pole. Little more expensive but much more robust I find. Plus the yellow really stands out so I don’t forget it doing my final walk around hehe.
It also has the ability to cover the entire gutter including the bottom since it’s less stiff and has more bristles I believe. Scrubbing gutters isn’t fun but it doesn’t take long at all and makes quite the difference
I used the GutterSmop that I did a post about. It works great. It’s a flat mop that is made out of microfiber cloth. They also sell their own chemical mix called World’s Best Gutter & Metal trim cleaner.
I have plenty of WC poles, just have to pick up a decent brush.
Pick up a couple different ones and give em a go. Won’t hurt to have a couple different ones on the trailer.
I haven’t used that green brush in well over a year. Too much effort. Heck, you guys might as well just scrub gutter whitener on those gutters. Hit it two times with house wash mix and should be good to go.
I wish. This stuff doesn’t come off easily. Organic crap overflowing from the roof.
You must wash a lot of clean houses lol
Or…you’re in the wrong neighborhoods washing houses.
A little bit of both lol
