Gutter cane concerns? - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Mark Fermoyle · Lead Tech Certified

Gutter cane concerns?

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

No problems here. Use it on every job. The hardest part is when to use the gutter cane and when to wet plants, switching back and forth.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Just be smart about where you hang it. If it looks dicey then pick another spot :)

AC

Mark Fermoyle · Lead Tech Certified

In other words, "just use common sense" LOL.

Another idea I am going to try is this: Since most of the downspouts have an elbow at the bottom which is screwed on, I'm going to try detaching the elbows, place an 11.5 qt dish washing pan under the spout, and collect the run off when working alone. Some elbows are high enough I won't have to detach them. Seems a bit more of a stable solution to bagging and hoping they stay affixed to the downspout. Whatever I collect I can spread on the driveway gravel weeds/grass.

Gotta get some Nerf balls though!! =)

AC Lockyer · Administrator

No just plug them on top with a nerf ball and let them overflow from the top. The massive amounts of water will dilute the chems.

AC

Josh Scavetta · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

well ill tell you what i do that works.... we carry about 6 black drainage pipes 14ft long in my trucks and attach them to the end of the downspout most of the time we can redirect the flow into parts of the yard that have no grass or in a mulch pile or somthing.... then we sprinkle gypsum pellets at the ends to neutralize the salt... every so often we get some dead grass but most of the time we don't. Im sure if i was on every job there would never be a problem... put it that way

Josh Scavetta · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

also if you don't want to deal the with size of the drainage pipe you can get discharge hose for really cheap and use that

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Is a gutter cane used mainly on steep pitched roofs because you cannot control the runoff as easy ? On a walkable roof where you can lay a nice even application where runoff can be controlled, is the cane necessary?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Jeff Thompson wrote:
Is a gutter cane used mainly on steep pitched roofs because you cannot control the runoff as easy ? On a walkable roof where you can lay a nice even application where runoff can be controlled, is the cane necessary?

Both. Once you use one you will understand. Make one your self out of PVC pipe to try. Then once you decide if you like it you can order the heavy duty industrial one from one of our dealers.

AC

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

AC Lockyer wrote:
Jeff Thompson wrote:
Is a gutter cane used mainly on steep pitched roofs because you cannot control the runoff as easy ? On a walkable roof where you can lay a nice even application where runoff can be controlled, is the cane necessary?
Both. Once you use one you will understand. Make one your self out of PVC pipe to try. Then once you decide if you like it you can order the heavy duty industrial one from one of our dealers.
AC

So is the idea to plug the downspouts and overflow the gutters with water which will dilute the solution, or let the water run freely down the spouts mixing with the soulution....or are both ways acceptable.

Troy Layman · Lead Tech

Old question, but the best option is to plug the downspouts and let the water overflow the gutters as it disperses the runoff over a larger area. If you have a gutter system that is...well, hanging onto the roof by the hair of its chinny - chin - chin, don't plug the downspouts and flush the water & mix down the downspouts. Just be more careful than usual about how much you allow to reach the gutters - meaning use finesse, as if AC was on the job with you watching your every move. :0)

Micah Boak · Freshmen Member

What size/type of Nerf balls work best, do you find? Can you post a link to Amazon or something?

Thank you.