Gutter cleaning in South Shields, worked from the pavement
South Shields has long rows of terraced houses and tightly packed streets, which makes gutter cleaning with a ladder awkward: there is often little room to set one up, and leaning it on old guttering can do more harm than good. We use a gutter vacuum on sectional poles instead, so the job is done from the pavement or the back yard.
A camera on the end of the pole shows the inside of the gutter on a screen at ground level. We look at it before the clear and again once it is done, so you see the same thing we do.
Terraces, flats and back yards
On a terraced street, the front gutter is usually reached from the pavement and the rear from the back yard or lane. If the back can only be reached through the house or a locked yard door, let us know when you book. On a shared gutter between two houses, it is worth mentioning whether next door is aware, since the run carries on along the terrace.
Upper flats and maisonettes are common in parts of the town. The poles reach second and third storey gutters, so it does not matter that the gutter belongs to a flat above a shop or a house converted into two.
Coastal weather and what it leaves behind
Being right on the coast, South Shields gets strong winds that drive sand, grit and debris onto roofs. Moss still grows on the shaded slopes, and as it breaks away it ends up in the gutter. The combination packs down into a heavy wet mat. Left long enough, plants root in it and the gutter starts to sag under the weight.
The vacuum draws that material out along the full length of the run, and the tops of the downpipes are cleared so water has somewhere to go. Everything goes into the machine rather than onto the street.
After the clear
Once the run is clear, the camera footage is your proof that the job was done right to the outlet. If it shows a cracked section, a leaking joint or a bracket that has slipped, we will mention it so you can decide what to do. We clean gutters; we do not repair roofs.
If water still will not drain because the blockage is down inside the pipe, our blocked downpipes page explains what happens next. The gutter vac clearing page has more about the equipment, and our South Shields area page covers everything else we do in the town.
Why the outlets matter most
Most of the length of a gutter can hold a fair amount of debris before it causes trouble. The weak point is the outlet, the hole above the downpipe where all the water has to leave. A clump of moss or a ball of leaves there is enough to back the whole run up, which is why water often pours over the gutter at a spot well away from where the debris actually is.
That is the reason we clear the tops of the downpipes as standard, and why the footage at the end focuses on the outlets. If a downpipe is blocked lower down, behind a bend or at ground level, we will tell you what we have found rather than leave you guessing.
Arranging it
Call 07501060609 or fill in the quote form with the type of house, whether you want front, back or both, and anything you have noticed. We work for homeowners, landlords and businesses, are fully insured and open seven days. South Shields is within the area we cover from our Washington base.
Questions about gutter cleaning in South Shields
My terrace shares a gutter with next door. Can you just do my half?
Yes, we can clear the section on your house. It is worth mentioning to your neighbour, as debris and water flow along a shared run.
Do you need to get into my house to clean the back gutter?
Not usually. We work from the back yard or lane. If the only way round is through the house, tell us when you book and we will plan for it.
Can you reach the gutter on a flat above a shop?
Yes. The sectional poles reach second and third storey gutters from the ground, so upper flats are fine.
