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jke0110 · Guest

gutter streaking

Guest

No,..you can't charge for getting the mix on gutters and having to clean them to make them look right. Just clean them or at least blend it in and don't even menton them,...unless you're trying to sell it as a separate service.
Maybe you should try the upsell when bidding the job, and tell the potential customer something like,..."Hey, while I'm up there....."

Jeff

Guest

I have started pricing them on every estimate I give. I tell people that the reason I put that price on there, even though they didn't ask me about cleaning the gutters, is because everyone complains about how dirty their gutters look compared to their freshly cleaned roof. I tell them it is cheaper to do the gutter while I am cleaning the roof then it is to come back and do them another day. That way it doesn't seem like you are just trying to push other services.

Brian

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

Hey Brian (Master Jedi). I'm sure that you'll go over the gutter topic when we get together later this month but, I can't help but ask what chemical you are using to clean the gutters? I assumed that the Cider Mix will damage them hence, the need for a groundman.

Do (we) charge by the linear foot?

RoofBright of Florida · Guest

To avoid hassles, I explain to the client that our chemical will kill the algae growth on the guttrs and or drip edge. We rinse the drip edges and facia and outside surface of the gutters. This eliminates any issues afterward. In most cases we are able to make the additional sale. We charge $.50 per liner foot or often flat rate it since we are there and have the equipment set up.

Guest

Just sneak it into the total cost without mention if you find yourself doing it alot.

Jeff

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

That makes perfect sense. Does anyone just spray the entire length of the gutters to prevent an uneven "streaky" look? I wonder if wiping with a rag would then be eliminated then? How long can (we) allow the mix to sit on the gutter before rinsing it off?

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

I agree with Jeff.

I get a lot of gutter helmets that like to run over, I find it gives my ground man something to do when I am looking over the job, but don't want the hoses rolled up yet. We use a yellow truck wash brush and some diluted love, to clean them up, or just wipe them with whatever liquid is still stuck to them. Only takes a couple minutes. We don't up sell it or mention it at all really, because then we might actually have to whiten some hard ones with Gutter cleaner, when we may not have to touch them at all. I do add them in if I am adding a house wash to the job, or mention them if touch ups are requested. This works well for a group that does exterior washing in general.

As far as damage..if they are already oxidized to the point that you can see through the enamel, than you will end up taking a lot of that bad enamel off leaving a bare metal behind. If you have your ground man rinsing the gutters BEFORE you get love on them, and have him keep them wet till it stops dripping, you can avoid the issue all together many times.

Understand that when you clean a gutter, you generally have to remove the oxidation from it, as that is were the grime is mixing with the oxidation making them all but one and the same. So if the gutter is old and loosing its enamel you may find that it is all oxidation and all wants to come off. You will notice that a repainted gutter or a new gutter usually comes clean very easily. That is because you don't have the oxidation on aluminum to deal with. It is a big pain for lots of cleaning companies, and takes a little practice to "really get it". If you start cleaning gutters on the norm, always make a test spot.

Guest

Read what Bill said ,you can make a gutter with a paint problem even worse ,as for gutter helmets "they stink" more water goes over them then in them . try to sell them a gutter cleaning about $1 a foot and more for the hard to reach, my own two cents ,gutter cleaning is harder to do than roof cleaning if they are two story and peaks but it gives that finished look. i use Gutter Zap works ,great if there real bad i do not dilute gutter zap you still need to have a water guy for the plants this stuff is strong and rough on the skin http://www.sunbritesupplymd.com/Gutter_Zap.html

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Tuesday 1st of September 2009 08:12:17 PM

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

Geez guys.... Could you be a little more specific next time? haha
You guys give amazing information! Thanking you (all) just doesn't seem adequate in the slightest. Group hug everyone!
I know that there is no substitute for experience but, with thorough explanations like these, I'm almost convinced that I'm an EXPERT roof cleaner already. I've found the interaction with RCIA members even more exciting than just reading. No doubt, I'm learning more this way. For the record veterans, I studied my azz off before I made my first post - about three and a half weeks of solid reading!

Gutters, if not taken care of properly can cause homeowners to throw fits. I can see it now. I'll clean a roof perfectly and the gutters are 95% better yet, the customer focuses on the 5% of dirty/stained gutter. I'm very particular with my work and I know that I'll suck it up and spend 2 dang hours on that one little spot! I swear, I'm a sucker that way.

jke0110 · Guest

I agree with woodytwin, very informative information. I thank all of you on your help on this matter. I usually have a ground man wiping with a rag as we go. Im new to the website and am looking forward to working with everyone. Thank you.

Guest

I have been using F-13 Gutter Grenade from Pressure Tek. Seems to work very well. I know quite a few guys use Simple Green or Purple Power and get great results. Test areas are a must! You have to find out how much paint is left on that gutter before you make it shiny aluminum.

Brian

Indiana Roof Cleaners · Guest

Brian,
I would think that your approach to cleaning gutters would be logical. After all I would think that it is impossible to clean a roof without at least partially cleaning the gutters themselves. Therefore what is the harm in trying to make a few extra bucks!
1 - Do you use a flat rate for cleaning gutters?
2 - Do you use the same Apple Cider mix?
MJS
Indiana Roof Cleaners

Guest

try using krud kutter also like brian said do test spots first.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

This thread is making me wonder if gutter washing should be listed as an entirely separate service on my web page. I'd be interested in hearing details as to how you guys approach this from the "sales" point of view. It sounds as though it could become another "feature" that we should be selling..

So far, I've seen different ways of dealing with gutter cleaning. Lot's of different cleaning agents. I guess I'll have to try em all.

-- Edited by Woodytwin on Saturday 5th of September 2009 12:10:01 PM

Guest

Don,
what i tell my customers is that when the gutters look clean the whole house looks clean. then after you show them in a test spot what they can look like and they will most likely be adding it on.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

Thanks Mike.

This question may be a little elementary but, how do you perform a sample cleaning? Do you bring a spray bottle of love and just spray it on a 12"x12" spot? Do you also then "sell" a gutter cleaning in the same way?

Guest

For gutter cleaning specifically, you will want to use something butyl based,...such as Purple Power or anything that has butyl listed as one of the chemicals in the product. Roof mix will only make them cleaner,...but in most cases in won't make them clean the way they should be if you're selling it as a separate service. The black streaks that gutters are notorious for is what the butyl based product works well on.

Jeff

AC Lockyer · none

Greased Lightning cleans them real well. Buy at Home Depot by the gallon.

AC

jke0110 · Guest

Thanks Jeff, purple power is the ticket, that stuff is awesome. I will give it a try, I have a job in the morning.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"