gutter scrubbing in cold weather?

Mark Wendt

New member
I use gutter zap to clean gutters but it does not work well in cold weather, anybody know what will work in cold weather? I seam to be getting more calls than normal for house washing this winter.
 
The Sun is a big benefit. Allowing long(er) dwell time,..spray and re-spray. Then scrub with Magic Eraser. And then scrub again,..especially on older "rough" gutters. New smooth gutters clean much easier,..but,..it's tough in cold weather either way. And getting gutters white as they can be is important.

Wait for warmer temps.

Jeff
 
quit offering gutter whitening in the cold.
I can't wash a house and leave the gutters that way. . When it first warms up in April people want it done. Some days it may be real sunny but it won't hit 50 degrees. The cold adds 30 minutes scrubbing on a 2000 Sq. Ft house. I just factor it into the price. I absolutely despise it, but it is what it is and I'm not going back to the same job twice.
 
Cold weather gutter cleaning tip five gallons bobs gutter grenade 5 gallons glcol ether butly whatever you wanna call it 45 gallons of water in a 55 an you are set.
 
Just learned this past week at the Powerwashstore.com's conference a tip I am surprised I never thought of. Heat up the gutters with warm water first then use your gutter zap! Too cold to try here in Maine right now but plan on trying in the spring. Let me know what happens.
 
Although I don't have a spec sheet to back it up, I've been lead to believe that the active ingredient in the various gutter cleaning solutions (butyl or monobutyl) is no longer effective at 50f or below. That temp seems to be the cutoff that we've experienced time and time again on the job as well.

Use cautuion if trying to heat the gutters with a hot water machine - hot water on a cold window could be bad news.
 
Just learned this past week at the Powerwashstore.com's conference a tip I am surprised I never thought of. Heat up the gutters with warm water first then use your gutter zap! Too cold to try here in Maine right now but plan on trying in the spring. Let me know what happens.

Tried that a few times and doesn't seem to help.


Doug Rucker
Clean and Green Solutions
Pressure Washing Roof Cleaning School
Call or Text 281.883.8470
 
I can't wash a house and leave the gutters that way. . When it first warms up in April people want it done. Some days it may be real sunny but it won't hit 50 degrees. The cold adds 30 minutes scrubbing on a 2000 Sq. Ft house. I just factor it into the price. I absolutely despise it, but it is what it is and I'm not going back to the same job twice.

Hey Matt I here ya and understand completely. I was like that for two years also, then I started separating the price and was shocked at how many people chose not to have their gutter scrubbed, a lot of people do not care like we do, they just want the algae removed. It was hard for me to change but it was well worth it and has helped me get jobs I would not of gotten before,because now the customer has more choices. just something to think about.
 
Cold weather gutter cleaning tip five gallons bobs gutter grenade 5 gallons glcol ether butly whatever you wanna call it 45 gallons of water in a 55 an you are set.


Hal told me this tip a few years ago(thanks Hal) and its the best thing for gutters in the cold that I have tried, but it does take a lot more scrubbing then if the temps are in 70's. It also will strip a gutter if you add to much Butly, but it is amazingly better then anything else MO
 
Hey Matt I here ya and understand completely. I was like that for two years also, then I started separating the price and was shocked at how many people chose not to have their gutter scrubbed, a lot of people do not care like we do, they just want the algae removed. It was hard for me to change but it was well worth it and has helped me get jobs I would not of gotten before,because now the customer has more choices. just something to think about.

Hey Dave, I don't blame you for what works and gets you work,..so I'm not knocking it. But aside from my own satisfaction,.. my biggest thought on doing this has always been the perception of others who see you doing the work,..drive by later and see the gutter streaks. Even if the're not planning on a house wash,..I still want the general public to think I got it together.

I've even had a few people over the years tell me not to bother with the gutters because they will be getting them replaced in the Fall or something,..I simply explain to them, "You can do as you like, but my job is to clean, so I'm going to clean them",....I have no price tiers or structure in house washing. I don't think they're even looking for a price break,..because around here there never has been an option,,..and is considered part of the job...just trying to save me the effort I guess.

But whatever works for you is all that matters, so don't take my way as a jab at your way.

Jeff
 
I am on the same page with Jeff... I don't offer a "Standard" house wash, it's an all or none kind of deal. I wash a house on my standards, not necessarily the home owners (If I can't produce the satisfaction the home owner is looking for, I will not take the job). I understand this might not be the best way to do residential business, but it works for me.

If your business isn't going anywhere keep them on the schedule for a rare warm winter day, or the first on your list come spring.
 
I include the gutter cleaning with my house wash and its a good selling point, I have a lot of people tell me that the last guy that washed the house said the black can't be removed. Also have many people comment on how good the gutters look. I feel the jobs not done unless its all clean. The clean gutters has got me a lot of work. Tried the hot water thing, didn't help that much. May have to try some gutter grenade/gutter zap mix. Has anybody tried purple power been told it works?
 
Purple Power is all I use for gutters. Works very well on our Central, Pa gutters.

Order from Advance Auto,...Use code TRT30 and get 30% off and FREE shipping to your door on any order over $75.00. Comes out to about $19.00 per 5 gallon bucket. The TRT30 code has a max savings of $50.00 per order,..So,..I order 5 at a time to maximize value.

Jeff
 
Thanks Jeff I'll try some purple power good to hear from PA I grew up in Selinsgrove been in in NC for 15 years now.
 
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