Gutter Vac Filters. How To Maintain Them. Should You Leave Them In?

[@studebaker4217]

For my Sky-Vac Atom (2017?), I wash the filter and its frame from the inside, since the dirt lands on the outside surface. This way the dirt is pushed out and off, rather than into the fabric. Excellent machine, and it can blow as well as suck, which is very useful to shift loose debris quickly down off roof tiles. Tip: always rinse your rigid and flexible tubes by sucking a few litres of clean water at the end of the job, holding the pipes up progressively towards the machine as water can sit in there and come out all over the place as you dismantle the kit. The vacuum accessories are very useful too, for all sorts of outdoor cleaning, like EDPM rubber tiles.

[@aemackintosh]

Great tips.😃👍🏼

[@TheCleanersCupboard]

I think the main thing to remember is that filter is the only thing protecting your motor from ingesting debris and fine dust. I’d only use it without a filter if you’re clearing very wet gutters or water. One of the biggest killers of gutter vacs (and many wet pick-up vacs) is motor failure due to the fans getting damaged or clogged from ingesting dirt. The fans are also finely balanced and if they’re continually dealing with dirt going through them it knocks them out of balance and they get a hell of a lot noisier! The same goes for most vacuums. I had a builder tell me on a job recently while I was using my Kerstar ‘if you take the bag and filter out it’ll be more powerful that’s what I do with my Henry’ he was surprised when I said, where do you think the dirt you’re picking up is going? Yes straight through the motor and out the back all over the place again. Facepalm moment.

[@aemackintosh]

You are so right. Well said. Thanks for your comments.😃👍🏼

[@plymouthchat]

So from what I'm picking up from you Guys other then Ashley costing me 1700 notes after viewing one of his vids for a skyvac .. grrrrr Filter out when sucking wet crap or water out of the gutter is this correct 🤔

[@TheCleanersCupboard]

@@plymouthchat yes basically. But tbh it probably won’t hurt to keep the filter in all the time. It just means you’ll have to wash it a bit more often but it will help the motor last longer. The idea is you want to stop as much debris getting sucked through the motor as possible

[@plymouthchat]

@@TheCleanersCupboard Τhanks I will leave it in then apreciate your comment lol, i was just thinking of gutters that have got a swimming 🏊‍♂️ pool within them filter stays in

[@johnbates7971]

Really Helpful Videos ! I bought the Atom after seeing your posts and will be testing it this afternoon. My house has gutters and roof valleys full of oak leaves and pine needles -Spinaclean suggested I try to blow clumps of needles out.

[@aemackintosh]

Great. Thanks! I wish you all the best with your business plans. I’m glad you find the channel useful.😃👍🏼

[@paulobrien5549]

I work for a cleaning company in Ireland and I was told to leave the filter out when cleaning gutters but I find the machine clogs up a lot. I will be leaving in the filter from now on and cleaning it after use or at the end of the day. Thanks for the advice and I love your channel. Keep safe out there

[@aemackintosh]

Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you find the channel useful.😃👍🏼

[@christopherhagans4488]

Hi Paul do you mean you bought the extra big cloth filter an you leave that in your gutter vac all the time an wash it at end of the day many thanks if you are somebody else could let me know thanks

[@paulobrien5549]

@@christopherhagans4488 the bag came with the gutter vac. I was told to take it out of the gutter vac. When using it on muddy or wet gutters but the filter actually stops dirt and dust going into the motor. Just clean the filter and leave it out to dry at the end of the day

[@rackopablos]

Great advice. Just bought the atom on a Black Friday Deal. Got a couple of gutter jobs next week, looking forward to putting it to work. Top videos Ash!

[@aemackintosh]

That’s great! Thanks! Happy gutter cleaning!😃👍🏼

[@b.c.f.c.redarmy7027]

@@aemackintosh mate when you say gutter cleaning that washing all the gutters too. When you say clean your gutters how do sell that service? Just say vac dirt out or wash too

[@aemackintosh]

I usually just price to clean out the gutters. Washing them down will be a separate job with a separate price.👍🏼

[@pauljwilliamsofficial]

@@b.c.f.c.redarmy7027 moss, debris in gutters do with vac - 1 job. Facias, soffits cleaned down - another job. Do a bundle deal and sell them a "deal" for both 👍

[@b.c.f.c.redarmy7027]

@@aemackintosh Thank you very much mate just starting out so all new to this. Really grateful for the advice thanks again

[@andycole5816]

Great tips Ashley Hope you are keeping well ?

[@aemackintosh]

Thanks. Always good to hear from you.😃👍🏼

[@johnjenkins5903]

Thanks Ashley . Your advice has been most helpful to me. Most my work is cleaning windows. I bought the skyvac atom for my customers who wanted their gutters cleaning. I took your advice and bought the rigid neck assembly. My only problem is that I the tool to get into a gutter which is tight doesn't fit the rigid neck assembly.. I noticed that you had a section that did fit the rigid assembly. What is the part called. Many thanks. The videos are most helpful.

[@aemackintosh]

I’m not sure what you mean, but probably the best thing to do would be to give Spinaclean a call and I’m sure they will be able to help you out.👍🏼

[@benjshields]

Nice video Ashley! I've got the gutter sucker it's the same as the attom I find it pretty good, used it today actually on a big job! And I always try clean the filter after I use it , I also leave the filter in all the time!

[@aemackintosh]

Great! Thanks for your comment.😃👍🏼

[@jimmywoodward3609]

I keep 2 filters and clean both after each day, I take mine home and scrub with hot water then leave to dry👍

[@aemackintosh]

Nice one, thanks!😃👍🏼

[@timhancock5556]

I've got the Atom, always leave the filter in. I carry a spare filter but always clean the filter after each day's use, with the hose.

[@aemackintosh]

Sounds good! Thanks for your comment.😃👍🏼

[@timhancock5556]

@@aemackintosh Great tip about keeping the filter in the same position

[@PartridgeExteriorCleaning]

Interesting watch, nice one.

[@aemackintosh]

Thanks.😃👍🏼

[@jamesaphotography1286]

Just got the Atom so very useful thanks.

[@aemackintosh]

Happy gutter sucking!🍂😎👍🏼

[@markrichards8832]

Nice video Ashley, perfect after me messaging you the other week

[@aemackintosh]

Great! Glad you liked it. Thanks!😃👍🏼

[@omidmahmoudi2243]

Great video ! Would you recommend cleaning the filter after every single use ? And which vacuum Would you recommend out of the 2 you had in the video for a small business ?

[@aemackintosh]

Yeah, the smaller Atom would be a great way to start on domestic work. I think it depends on how mucky the dirt is in the gutters and how that effects the filters. A little clean each time won’t hurt, as long as the filter is dry before you use it again.😃👍🏼

[@Codescodes]

Curious if you've found a aftermarket filter for the 85. Expensive to buy and ship. Thanks

[@tonymichael5674]

Great vid ash👍🏻 what do you do with all the waste from the gutters?

[@tonymichael5674]

@dee 1987 customers brown bin or does he take it away with him but thanks for commenting👍🏻

[@aemackintosh]

I always check with the customer. Sometimes there is a compost heap or a discreet place under a bush that they are happy for you to use. But the garden waste bin is usually the best option. Strictly speaking, you need a waste carriers license to take the muck away.😃👍🏼

[@tonymichael5674]

@@aemackintosh thanks for the quick response. I suppose it’s all about agreeing with the customer during the quote👍🏻👍🏻

[@marcspeight8954]

I have x3 filters and always only use the sky vac atom with the filters.

[@aemackintosh]

That’s great! Thanks!😃👍🏼

[@matiascoitino6328]

oh dear.. I was wondering why my Atom wasn't sucking very well lol! now I know

[@aemackintosh]

Maintenance is so important.😃👍🏼

[@squeakycleandave1]

Great video Ash. Very useful. Wouldn’t cleaning the filter with a pressure washer damage it🤔

[@aemackintosh]

Thanks! I wouldn’t use my petrol pressure washer on it, but some of those domestic ones aren’t much stronger than if you put your thumb over the end of your hose.😆👍🏼

[@squeakycleandave1]

@@aemackintosh 🤣🤣🤣true👍

[@markmaslin1348]

Hi ash you thought about adding a side inlet to the atom I see alot of people doing this as it creates better suction without the much hitting the filter

[@aemackintosh]

I think muck will still hit the filter, but yes, this is a mod I should get done for sure.😃👍🏼

[@markmaslin1348]

I've heard some people take the filter out and put a pair of tights over the top when it's wet 👍🏻

[@aemackintosh]

Crazy!🤪👍🏼

[@stearswindowcleaning]

Put The tights over The filter !

[@wayneosullivan1549]

Mr Macintosh I’ve just got the gutter suck pro I’ve just watch you wash the iner filter my doesn’t have that is that right 🤷‍♂️ it has the outer one what’s your knowledge on this thank you very much

[@christopherhagans4488]

Hi I have just got the GVS an I have a ridgeed filter an big white filter bag my question is do I just leave these in both in all the time to protect the moter many many thanks please.

[@spencerj1413]

Okay so. Spinaclean have made upgrades to there sky vac 85 industrial .with a drainage and a separate filter. Plus a new upgrade of the sky vac camera system. What I'd like to know is can we modify the industrial 85 ...? A video by any chance ash...?

[@aemackintosh]

I think you can just buy the drum with the upgrades attached.😃👍🏼

[@spencerj1413]

@@aemackintosh yer you can, but at a big cost. And the new 5inch led camera system should be available end of March. Thank God as this little blue one we all got. Is way to small!!!

[@aemackintosh]

😃👍🏼

[@stevehughes6533]

If you left the filter out would that not damage the motors

[@aemackintosh]

Yes indeed.😃👍🏼

[@chrisgc77]

Can I ask what video editing software you use?

[@aemackintosh]

I started off using iMovie. There is a lot you can do with it, and a lot is to do with the quality of the footage you get when filming. But now I am using Final Cut Pro X.😃👍🏼

[@andycole5816]

I have only got the old skyvac atom but very seriously thinking about the sky vac industrial 85 with 6 poles but its under £3300 how did you get on with the generator with the sky vac industrial 85 ?

[@aemackintosh]

I usually use a long extension lead, but the generator is great for doing commercial work.👍🏼

[@PBurgess81]

Do you keep the plastic cap type thing on inside the filter of the Atom or take it out? I found it work significantly better without it on but can't find anything that says it should stay in or not

[@aemackintosh]

Not sure what you mean. But if it works better without it, then go with that.😉👍🏼

[@PBurgess81]

@aemackintosh I think it is a plastic cup that raises with the water level in the tub and ultimately stops water from being sucked up into the motor maybe. Thing is, even when the vacuum is empty it still seems to activate the safety cap when it is switched on

[@servicelavagedevitresxavie4885]

Merci pour la vidéo ! Super !

[@aemackintosh]

😎👍🏼

[@mono6906]

Clean with a brush as much dust as possible around the filter without removing it. Use an air blower (in a car workshop) from inside (of the filter) to outside NOT outside to inside (you push dust into the filter)

[@aemackintosh]

That’s a good idea.😃👍🏼

[@adamfroman7983]

Why don’t they make a dust collector for this? Then you don’t have to clean the filers…

[@aemackintosh]

It depends what you are sucking up I suppose, if it’s big clumps of moss?👍🏼

[@barcleighbristow9495]

I blow mine out with a air gun. And wash when really soiled.