Getting to first storey gutters with a conservatory in the way

Stevie D · Post by **Stevie D** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 12:38 pm

Hi folks, hopefully the thread title and picture say all that need saying. The conservatory is in the way of me getting ladders to the gutters, which are full of gunk and the weeds that have grown in said. I had the rough idea of using, say, a large sheet of ply to distribute my weight across several of the sloping beams that form the frame of the conservatory roof, then balancing a ladder on that. However, there's nothing to stop the ply sliding down the roof's slope and me falling to injury to both wallet and self.

What would be the wiser approach to this problem?

: 2020-10 - JH conservatory.jpg (338.66 KiB) Viewed 3410 times

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:09 pm

You will not like this, but it is safe.
Cherry picker or scaffolding.

If as you say "balance a ladder" on the conservatory roof there is nothing to support it, or stop it sliding.
What ever idea you come up with, when it fails, you will wish you had not of done it, that is assuming you don't end up like Rod Hull.
It may be lots of money, but you will still be alive.
You may also be lucky to find a gutter cleaning company in your area, I think they use very long fixed hoses.

toolbox · Post by **toolbox** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:11 pm

I had a similar problem with my workshop (corrugated iron roofing) the gutter needed replacing, I looked at all the options and decided in the end to go for scaffolding!
If the roof panes can be removed that might be an option, or a powerwash with an extended wand if they are OK but just need cleaning.
One other thing worth trying might be one of those companies that use long reach equipment to clean windows they might be able to tackle it.

Job and Knock · Post by **Job and Knock** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:33 pm

Possibly a cantilever scaffolding tower, which can be hired, and which will be cheaper than full scaffolding. However, you will need to pay the hire company for delivery, erection, dismantling and return to depot as they require specialist knowledge to erect safely. I understand that many reputable hire firms require you to hold the relevant PASMA ticket if you are going to erect it yourself as these things, like stair towers, can be dangerous if set up incorrectly

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 1:37 pm

What I did: I used one of those extending pole mops and pulled the rubbish along using the edge of the mop which fitted in the gutter, clearing nearest section 1st with ladder and V stand off, against house on both sides of conservatory.
Of course you need a spotter holding the ladder base and a small rectangle bucket; use the same tool to remove the mess from conservatory roof.

wes56 · Post by **wes56** » Sun Oct 04, 2020 5:20 pm

No, dont do what you propose.
Nothing must rest on the conservatory roof.

Use two tied-in towers to easy reach height for the gutter, and then use a custom bridge across - Hire everything.
Repeat for other sections of guttering.

The above arrangement will give you free access to removing and re-fixing the sagging plastic guttering, & attending to the fascia if needed.

Stevie D · Post by **Stevie D** » Mon Oct 05, 2020 6:02 am

Brilliant, thanks for the responses folks. Pretty unambiguous that I shouldn't put any weight on the conservatory roof. Thanks for the great tips :)

foy9999 · Post by **foy9999** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:00 pm

Don't know if you have already resolved this but I do this work often.

If the gutters just need cleaned (not repaired) you only need access from above.

Get a climbing rope (about £40 from Gumtree)
Get a throwline (£10 from Ebay)
Put your ladders up on opposite side of house.
Go to top of ladders and tie end of throwline to the ladders
Throw the thowline over the roof
Untie the line from ladders and bring it down with you
Tie it to the climibing rope on ground
Go to other side of house and pull the rope over the roof using the line
untie throwline from rope
tie rope to tree/car/outbuilding
do same at other side of building
go up ladders and get to ridge of rope using rope for safety.
sit on ridge and pull rope taught from ladder side of house
go down to gutters using rope for safety
clear gutters into big plastic sack (cement or gravel bags are ideal)

It might sound a palaver but should take no more than an hour to organise and your roof isn't very steep so you will be safe. If you want to be extra safe buy a waist harness and carabiner and you can clip yourself to the rope.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:07 pm

***k that for a game of soldiers.

foy9999 · Post by **foy9999** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:22 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:07 pm ***k that for a game of soldiers.

I do it all the time. Saves customers a fortune in scaffolding etc and on shallow roofs it's really just there for peace of mind. Biggest problem is the throwline can get snagged on modern dry-ridge clips but other than that it's quite straightforward

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 3:33 pm

Must admit I did a lot of roof shimmying on my previous house when I was younger also with just a safety rope and good non slip plimsolls, However foy9999, you missed the fact that the Op has a roof photovoltaic power station!

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 4:05 pm

foy9999 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 1:22 pmI do it all the time.

That, I do not doubt, but I would say it's not really a good idea, let alone for a first time person doing it.

foy9999 · Post by **foy9999** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 11:22 pm

aeromech3 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 3:33 pm Must admit I did a lot of roof shimmying on my previous house when I was younger also with just a safety rope and good non slip plimsolls, However foy9999, you missed the fact that the Op has a roof photovoltaic power station!

I did see that actually and have worked on roofs that have them. Well solar panels. Is it the same thing. Funnily enough the gutters on houses with these can end up full to brm as they often get pigeons nesting under the panels and it creates more mess