Exterior Gutter Cleaning

[Mike]

Is there a home brew that can be sprayed safely on the gutter exteriors and interiors to clean them if your not power washing.

[Pams Pressure & Clean]

A good butyl cleaner and either a soft brush or a strong water hose should do ok...

[RyanH]

For the black streaks, I use Purple Power applied through a ShurFlo or pump up (butyl based automotive degreaser, like Pam's mentioned). There are other brands available through various distributors....Zep makes a purple cleaner (at home depot), various janitorial places servicing kitchen supplies will sell it as a degreaser. PP costs about $8 for a 2.5 gallon container from Auto Zone. If you want to avoid pressure washing them, brush it on (I use full strength) and rinse off. Don't allow it to dwell longer than about 30 seconds as it could degrade the integrity of the paint. It will usually make windows ugly when it gets on them, however, and they will have to be cleaned.

[Mike]

Thanks for the advice.

[RyanH]

If you have green stuff, then yeah (or is it no??), bleach will not work. If you have the black streaks or excessive grime, bleach is ineffective. The black streaks are caused by the water overflowing in the gutters and staining the gutters with the residual oils leached from the roof. Overflow is caused by undersized or clogged gutters.

[Aplus]

I prefer to use products that are formulated specifically for removal of black streaks. Home brews sometimes work, and sometimes do not.

Most of the distributors that carry chems for the pressure wash industry carry such products.

[Mike]

Thanks for the info Ryan and Tony

[John Orr]

For the past few years, I have been using Krud Kutter. It costs about $5 at HD. I dilute 50/50 with water and apply with a soft brush, using a 24' extension. Excellent results. Do not let dry, or you'll have to re-clean.

[CCPC]

I tried the krud kutter method and could'nt get good results even at full strength.

[John Orr]

Were you using the KK in the clear jug/blue liquid? There is another ($10) in a white jug, though I have never tried it.

[CCPC]

the one I tried was in a white jug with a red label, if I remeber correctly.

[squirtgun]

As Ryan stated Purple Power will do the trick on gutters and aluminum.The butyl breaks the electrostatic bond the dirt makes with the metal.I get a 5 gallon bucket for a little over $15 from advanced auto parts.You can also use the PP for a light degreaser.

[CCPC]

I might have to try the Purple Pooper. It would be nice to find somthing that works that can be bought down the street.

[jnoden]

I am going to buy an 18' BBE HD extension for power washing. Do you guys use this type of extension for flow through brushes or are they too flimsy? How does this set up work?

[Mike]

Originally Posted by CCPC

I might have to try the Purple Pooper. It would be nice to find somthing that works that can be bought down the street.

Purple Power is $3.50 a gallon here, and it works like a charm.