Clearing out the Gutters!
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- Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2024
- Today's video is a reminder to us all to keep our gutters clear, to prevent damp to our external walls, particularly after we've had so much rain recently.
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A chance trip up the ladder after the recent storms tore off a roof tile revealed some badly blocked gutters. So it was on with the rubber gloves and a small brush to clean them out!
Ladder Safety
A good article on the Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders: www.hse.gov.uk...
Today's Toolkit*
rubber gloves
brush
Gutter jointing kit bit.ly/39w4IhH
Werner Abru 3 section extension ladder bit.ly/2vDk45n (the version I bought from B&Q doesn't seem to be on sale any more so this is the closest match I can find)
Bonda Rust Primer geni.us/tWBv (Amazon)
Youngman ladder stay geni.us/Ew4Z (Amazon) (not featured but will make your work at the top of the ladder safer)
Gutter pipe leaf wire balloon geni.us/mh03eIq (Amazon) (not featured but I will be installing these!)
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Charlie DIYte
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#gutter #clean #clear
Bloody marvellous! Your a legend…Keep up the good work. Nothing beats a man taking care of his house
Thanks Imran 👊
Our north facing roof has always been a pain for moss and needed regular cleaning. We have had the gutters replaced and using hedgehog inserts made a massive difference with the moss bouncing off and not clogging the gutters. Still give them a spring clean but a gutter scraper on an extending pole makes that easier as you can do a lot more gutter without moving the ladder that much.
I bought a gutter cleaning scoop from Amazon for less than £10 and in the first scoop i felt like it made it's money back. Would strongly recommend.
We are very lucky in that our gutters seem to be self cleaning, all the muck makes it ways to the down pipe. Unfortunately the drain at the bottom is not self cleaning and over the winter requires clearing about once a month. It is however much better to do this that get a ladder out as it's nearly 3 stories high and I get queasy standing on tip toes lol.
Hi Charlie, a timely reminder for sure. As well as a brush, I find an old garden trowel, cut off square at the end, invaluable for removing the debris from the gutter. The curve fits the gutter profile pretty well. Also, I try and clear my gutters when they're dry. Much less mess (especially down the walls), and the collecting bucket is much lighter. Plus, some kind of 'S' hook to hang a small bucket on the gutter.
Yes agreed, I should have mentioned all these suggestions. Hopefully it will be more of a reminder to everyone, rather than something they'll follow to the letter 👍
1. Wear a helmet
2. Attach a small curved garden trowel to a piece of electrical conduit and scoop the moss/leaves out. Saves moving ladders in 3ft steps so you're done in 1/4 of the time.
3. Use a couple of scrapers to stop ladder legs moving on paving slabs or crazy paving.
4. Strap your ladder around anything solid if you can.
It's not 'IF' you fall off a ladder, it's 'WHEN'.
is worth it Charlie to restore this gutter and down pipes you manage to bring them back to life how many of top coat did you give those down pipes top work.
Well worth also checking the down pipes are clear. If you get pine needles or bits of twig blowing down they block very easily and then the moss on top quickly bungs things up. Just pour half a bucket of water down the down pipe and make sure it comes out of the bottom. Might also be worth fitting a wire leaf balloon into the top of the downpipe to help keep things moving.
Thanks Duncan. Good points. I can see another vid coming at some point with the hedgehogs and wire leaf balloons.
@Simon Errington Thanks Simon that's great insight from a pro! I need to get some of those wire balloons as my down pipes go into soak aways.
That is a beautiful after finish with your guttering! Very impressive!
Thanks. It's weathered really well. Just need to summon up the energy to do the rest now 🙄
Few tips for you which also makes it a quicker and easier job. If you have a set of drain rods you can use the drop scraper attachment, as you go way from you the plate folds up and allows it to run over the debris but when you pull it back the plate locks in place.
Another option are the (expensive for what they are) ProGutter attachments. They are good if you can accept paying about a tenner for a bit of plastic but cry once, buy once. Combine this with the excellent Harris painting extension pole and it allows you to clear a long stretch or awkward to access section from one safe place for your ladders. The poles cost about £15 and are great for this job and also obviously come in handy for painting. You can pay up to £70 for the better quality Docapole which gets great reviews.
Finally, getting the stuff out of the gutter can be tricky, but if you have an empty plastic milk bottle, screw the lit on and with a pair of scissors you can easily make it into a handy flexible dustpan. Look online for the shape to cut but sure you can figure it out by cutting the bottom off.
Oh and then finally, finally, a ladder limb is excellet, it pushes into the open ladder rung end and has a clip on the end, I added to mine a climbing carbiner as they are easier to open and close. You can then clip on a rubber bucket or normal bucket to pop the debris in. It is like having an extra set of hands. I use it all the time when on a ladder, for example if fitting something you can put all your kit in the bucket and just hang it off the rung safely and avoids the need to go up and down the ladder fetching tools which means it is safer!
Hope some of that helps!
Some great tips there, and as I have the drain rod attachment and painters extension poles I'm slightly gutted I didn't try that 👍
@@CharlieDIYte won't be the last time you have to clear them so just try to remember next time. The milk bottle with the lid screwed on makes for a handy scoop if you get a 4 pint one and just cut off and shape the bottom.
I just found your channel today and have watched loads of the videos already. You have produced great content with really clear instructions.
I really like the hinge videos and you have inspired me to tackle a few jobs I have been putting off and not daring to do such as building a cupboard with shelves in the pantry.
Thanks for the great content!
Doesn't take much for the gutters to get blocked just one of them dirty jobs we have to do😖. Really excellent job of downpipe restoration. Looks like new.👍👍.
G'day Charlie. Our gutters here are pressed steel. After surviving the bushfires we were flooded out in the storms. the gutter system just couldn't cope. I had to cut holes in the downpipes to relieve the amount of water in the gutters. I notice you have cast iron gutters, why don't you paint the inside with bitumen so nothing can stick? That was the practice in Tassie where I am originally from. Again, simple DIY with style mate. Thumbs up
Hi Andy. I missed this comment so apologies for that. Exactly, I have a big tin of bitumen and am doing that as I refurbish them. Was it the soakaways that couldn't take the water fast enough? The rain has been biblical here, before we got the similarly biblical plague!
@@CharlieDIYte Great words Charlie. Please forgive me if I crap on. Hope you folks are doing ok. We are getting 70km winds now and you can smell the ash being blown about from the bushfires in December....And, the bloody fridge has died! Nothing about this is a winge. We actually have time to write.....Smiling with my happy days face. Love your work mate. ps, I must remind myself to watch your videos all the way through before making inane comments! About soakaways you could connect another 10 metres away to act as an overflow. A great place to plant pumpkins is on top of a soakaway.
For cleaning the gutters, make your life much easier by getting gutter pro tools from screwfix and a long pole with an acme thread. Less climbs = safer an quicker.
Can you send a link please pal?
www.screwfix.com/p/half-round-gutter-clearing-tool/6381p thats the link to the half round one, they do ogee and square profiles too.
@@Michie1391 That's a good shout, Ryan. Thanks for the comment 👏
@@Michie1391 thank you.
I've used the pro-gutter tool - really does the job, and made in the UK too. With an extension pole, you can clear a large amount from one position meaning less ladder repositioning and climbing.
You can get a device to hang your bucket from the ladder, ideal for clearing gutters (or use an old broom handle in the ladder rung)
I have a conservatory and only one side drains. Being a U-shape, only one side drains properly. It also gets a lot of moss from the main roof and a lot of leaves. I am currently trying out a grid cut to fit the gutter, the gutter still gets a lot of muck after winter.
I am seriously considering buying the ALDI wet/dry vacuum. Then just do a vac twice a year.
Let us know how you get on with the rubber Hargreaves kit. I found it useless on mine and far inferior to going with traditional lime putty. The gasket left a notch which just filled up and rusted. Lime putty you can get it perfectly flush, and nicely painted.
Chsrlie, any plans to update your gutters this summer? Thank you.
I'm not going to replace them but will hopefully be refurbishing them if I have time.
Love your videos! I think a video on ladder safety would go down really well, I wouldn't trust myself to climb a ladder to the roof at the moment and not fall off!
Hi Charlie one thing you should have done first after water testing and gutter mastic/ repair if necessary is to give 2 coats of bitumen to inside of gutter
Yes, I'm doing that on the gutters that I'm currently refurbishing. Didn't bother on this one because I haven't got to it yet, but good point though.
Do you like the moss? I know tiled roofs have more character with the moss. We have several products In The US that are eco friendly that kill fungus mold and moss off of shingled roofs. It takes time but does a great job. Just spray it on and walk away. In your case you will have to clean the gutters again when it all falls off.
Bess Bowers no one in the U.K. worries about moss. It is not detrimental to tiled or slate roofs, and most of us prefer the aged aesthetic anyway,to the point that reclaimed tiles complete with lichen growing on them are worth more than brand new equivalents! Given our climate it's a rather fruitless exercise trying to eliminate moss anyway! It usually grows slowly enough that an annual gutter cleaning is sufficient to manage the problems it can cause.
All your vids are good and informative Charlie.
Thanks Nick. Always a bit nervous doing a shorty like this but I thought it was worth mentioning to everyone 👍
Love the old guttering Charlie, well worth the effort refurbishing them. I’ve just had the unpleasant task of cleaning out all my guttering, I’ve got hedgehogs all round mainly due to lots of trees (with TPO’s) I would suggest wearing safety specks when pulling out your hedgehogs as the muck goes everywhere springing off the bristles!!
Great vids mate👍
Eh! Oh, them hedgehogs.
Why didn’t you pull any moss off the roof that was within reach to stop it falling later?
Hope you do a video on painting the gutters, the ones you've done look great
I promise I will in the summer, James 👍
I use the gutter cleaning attachments I bought with my Stihl leaf blower. Clean them all whilst standingfirmly on Terra Firma........ no ladders needed. 😀
Hi, have you done a video of the gutter refurb that you show, Thanks
Yes ruclips.net/video/rG5bTCPozVA/видео.html
You are such a champion
Aw, thanks Ben 👏👍
How about using an old paint tub with a hook to the ladder rung to prevent the slushy moss being thrown “below!”?
Yes, definitely. Ladder stays like this are also advisable amzn.to/2Aevoqz
Get yourself a cheap hockey stick. Makes getting the thick stuff out much easier.
Or for threatenin' 'er indoors with, to get her up the ladder instead.
I’d be spraying those tiles with sodium hypochlorite 15%. Will remove everything from moss and algae, and even lichen without scrubbing.
Now that is a great tip. I'm gradually power washing and painting the outside. I've done two walls so far but this would make it a lot easier and safer - particularly where the power line hits the house!!
Charlie DIYte - Powerwashing is great too, just be conscious of the fact that if the moss etc isn’t killed first then you’ll probably be spreading fungal spores. Best to treat with a biocide first. Also the pressure required to remove black mould and lichen is often on par to what it takes to destroy bits of the wall/tiles/gutters etc. If you are going to do your roof that way too then just be sure to spray downwards or you’ll get water underneath your slates. Sounds entirely obvious but I’ve seen it done.
@@isyt1 would you need to stand on the actual roof and spray downwards towards the gutter to spray the moss? not sure my vertigo could withstand that :)
Thanks a lot for the explanation
You're welcome 👍
Charlie. Great video. I moved to hedgehogs in the gutters and it works a treat.
Thanks Nigel. Yes, I should have mentioned hedgehogs...
@@CharlieDIYte hedghogs work great you just have to pick up all the moss on the floor every week lol but its better than havig the moss going down the drains and blocking
Funny old game - I just finished doing my house gutters and removing that infernal moss from the roof tiles on the day yo posted this.😳 One thing I noticed was that the moss actually damages the tiles it seems to attack them and make them ‘soft’ - I started removing with a scraper and soon stopped and reverted to doing by hand (fingers) and a soft brush. Took me 8 hours but then I was putting it in a bucket rather than flinging it over my shoulder.😂
Yes the bucket is clearly a better option. I was a bit short for space though, up the ladder with only one hand free 😏
Charlie DIYte Very well understood - I hate being aloft especially when the ladder angle is less than is good - I would never even attempt to film at the same time - you are a braver man than I 😂👌🏻
@@normanboyes4983 Norman, I've got the same problem that you have with the moss, although I think in my case it's to do with a dodgy batch of Dreadnoughts back in the 70s. They've got a pink almost terracotta look to them. I think they weren't fired hard enough and they're all delaminating as a result of the winter freeze and thaw.
Every year in the summer holidays. It's still a pain. We've also got Dave who comes around and charges £20.
good video as usual Charlie afraid I don't do heights so getting mines done with the window cleaner cheers felt queezy just see you from up that height ha wonder if you can help me with something else though , my fiancee's house has wooden double glazed windows which are covered in black mould plus all wooden skirtings were the same also up the walls ive stripped it al back twice overs the past two years used damp sealer and repainted but just keeps coming back in every room ended up up wetwalling our bedroom but window still terrible please help if you can
Should moss on the tiles be removed, is that a concern?
My gutters get full and cause a roof leak every 2/3 months is this normal? Do I need a roof clean or new gutters maybe? Thank you!
Yes could need a roof clean.
4:58 Bro! I click like on all your videos even before watching them. Definitely gonna check the gutters in the morning
Do you know of any methods of preventing the build up of moss on the roof?
Got to get mine done
How often do you have to clear that out?
Charlie - north facing roof? String a bare copper wire the length of the roof, just below the ridge. Same principal as sheathing ships in sheets of copper to prevent weed growth.
You learn something new every day.
@ian hayward can you elaborate - does the copper prevent moss growth?
@@billconiston8091 Yes, as water flows over the copper it picks up minute quantities and carries it down the roof where it acts as a weed killer. It's a very old remedy, but then I'm a very old f*rt! Bear in mind you would no longer be able to use rain harvested water on the garden.
Good job to do yourself. I have heard that some dodgy contractors will pop a tennis ball down the drainpipe so that it blocks up again. They then get a second call out to fix it and get paid knowing they only have to remove the tennis ball..........
thank you mate !
You're welcome!
Advice have someone around, preferably below the ladder
Fair point Steve. 👍
I clean my gutters when take the Christmas light down each year because have a lot of trees and all the leaves gone.
Never mind the gutters Charlie, was that a lock down premonition hair cut mate?
Hi Charlie, great video and apt as it happens I was cleaning gutters today! Just wondered if you have any plan for a blinds/curtain fitting video? It would be really helpful what with you day job and having spent last weekend working out by trial and error the best way to fix Venetian blinds to catnic lintels and destroying too many HSS bits (milwaukee won, where bosch and dewalt failed!) thanks for making the video's!
Hi Bill. I missed this for some reason. Did you use my technique of self tapping into the lintel? Yes, I definitely need to do some curtain and blind fitting vids at some point.
How do I safely get up to the gutters on my town house about 8 meters up!!! Then if I do someone covered the gutters with something similar to chicken wire!!!
Ah, Charlie. Sooo old school. Our cousins from the former colonies have the answer. Have a look at "Kite Army" channel. Or a few bits of plastic pipe and an old bellows?
Always wear a parachute 5 steps or higher !! ;-)
Love it!
Use a garden trowel and a bucket
👍Really amazing! Nice video!!!
Where is this Charlie? Hills look a bit like Southern Scotland where I live.
Sadly not, Jeremy. West Midlands 🙁
I had a leak in my bedroom ceiling and it was all due to the gutter being blocked
Thanks for commenting 👍 That's exactly my point!
@My Peepee Yes, your safety is of paramount importance.
Why not clean your roof then do the gutters to prevent more moss falling in? Also, looks like a new roof is well, well overdue
all well and wonderfull unless like me you happen to have crippling vertigo.
Personally, I use a shop vacuum with a cleaning gutters kit. A bit like this kit:
www.shopvac.com/us/en/im-looking-for/an-easier-way-to-clean-out-my-gutters
I have a Ridgid 6hp + gutter kit.
Notice the hp.
Greatly reduce the need of a ladder.
Nice work 👍🏻
Gosh, how much gunk in our gutters.
I know! 😲
how did you secure your ladder in bottom.
By jamming it against the roots of the hedge. Not ideal but safe.
Have you considered using those hedgehog brushes?
Oh my goodness Charlie. Those gutters did need a good clean. Thanks for the reminder. Ours need doing too. Btw do you work for yourself or for a company?? Take care as always
I spent £2400. Called roof company twice for a leak that was not solved. Called them again and they e
asked even for more money to solve the problem. I so upset! Because there is no way im going up there to do it my self.
Charlie would it be possible to do a video on ladder safety when cleaning out gutters. where to place them do you lean against gutters, fascia, use wings etc. everyone in the uk seems to do different things
Love the channel those gutters prob 1940s
Aw, thanks! Good knowledge on the gutters. Makes sense!
Nice work, no mention of gutter guards or hedgehogs and their merits?
Good point Paul. I'm afraid you're one step ahead of me there! I'll add that to the video list 👍
Gutter hedgehogs cause more hastle than they fix
@@Michie1391 Agreed!
@@Michie1391 i disagree - yes you end up having to pick up all the moss that now falls on the floor, but it is much better than the moss going down the drainpipe and blocking drains
Having cleaned out probably over 100 gutters they imo cause more blockages and water to overflow down the back than they do making it easier to clean.
Should have watched the video until the end hahaha. I'll keep my mouth shut next time. hahahaha happy days mate!
LOL, you have it easy, I have to clean all of my gutters at least once a fortnight all year round. (Trees are all evergreens)
Percy, that's not fun 🙄
it would be worth your while fitting mesh gutter guards!
Would have been quicker and easier to have put up new plastic guttering than faffing around with three different types of paint, and safer.
No, I love these old gutters. They're part of the character of the house and have been there since the 1940s. You won't find plastic guttering last that long.
@@CharlieDIYte Fair comment, be safe.
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Sorry to be offtopic but does anyone know of a method to log back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly forgot the password. I love any tips you can offer me
@Drake Maddox instablaster :)
Buy a bucket... chucking all the mess over your shoulder? Really?
Into the field next door! I was trying to minimise obstructions up there as it was tricky enough doing this whilst holding my phone, but I take your point 👍
tsk tsk showing very bad example by holding camera while on al adder!
I know I know, and a stand off would have been wise too. But thankfully no-one else will have the pain of having to film whilst cleaning out gutters.