spray flex and gutter cleaning devices

[vance]

I am new to this forum, but not new to pressure washing. I have just spent the last hour or so looking on the internet for any kind of equivalent for the McCauley Spray Flex attachment. The advertisements for the Spray Flex all say that it is limited to 3000 psi. I have a 4000 psi machine, and although it can be reduced in pressure, I prefer to use the full power of the machine. Does anyone know if there is an attachment similar to Spray Flex that can handle 4000 psi? Or, has anyone used the 3000 psi Spray Flex attachement on a 4000 psi machine...can this be done safely?
Also, the U-shaped attachment for cleaning gutters, usually made of stainless steel, is also limited to 3000 psi. Has anyone tried using one of these on a 4000 psi machine, or is it also too unsafe? Has anyone found a gutter cleaner that is rated for 4000 psi? Thanks in advance for any advice or help.

 

[john orr]

Vance,

If you use a slightly larger tip. If your machine is 4000/4gpm, you are now using a 4.0 tip. By switching to a 4.5, you will reduce the pressure at the tip to 3000. If you have a 5gpm machine, then go from a 5.0 to a 6. Either way, problem solved!

 

[Harold Brantley]

Vance, if you bend the flexable attachment to a 90 deg angle on a 8 to 12 foot wand, you would have great difficulty controling the wand with 4 K psi or even 3 K psi. Keep reducing the psi with larger nozzle sizes till you have good control. You will still have enough pressure to move the leaves and the volume (gpm) will be unchanged. Let the volume do the work so the pressure doesn't wear you out.

 

[vance]

Thanks for the replies, fellas. I knew that using a larger tip size would reduce the pressure, but it just didn't occur to me that this would be a simple solution to the problem! I swear, if I could remember half of what I have learned over the years, I could probably solve more problems myself.

 

[Mark]

Vance,

LOL! I too wish I could remember 1/2 of everything I have learned over the years!

Welcome to the Power Wash Network.

 

[WashWagon]

The spray flex is a great tool. She is hard to handle at full pressure with a full bend though. You will only last a few seconds unless you reduce pressure. I find mine helpful in doing decks. Sometimes you need the different angle for rails and other hard to reach places. I have run 3500 psi before with no problem.

John

 

[Doug Rucker]

Anybody use this spray flex tool for gutters? I usually use a bucket and ladder. Tried of these once before and it about knocked me to the ground.

 

[washrite]

I use a bucket and ladder method on many homes but also us the curved gutter cleaner with a "T" on it. I screw in two 5.5 15 degree tips and my pressure is cut in half and the wand is easy to handle because the pressure is balanced. The water shoots out both sides and I basically start near one end and actually tilt the nozzle downward at the down spouts ensuring nothing is trapped. When cleaning, I just rock the wand back and forth inside the gutter as I move along.

I use it on an 8' wand and also a 24' extension wand. In fact, I used the extension wand last week on gutters at a church I cleaned that were very difficult to get to any other way. I will say the 24' extension is tough to use but manageable.

Caution - depending on the amount of debris in the gutters this can get messy. A rain jacket and safety glasses are a must. Also, this needs to be done prior to washing the house. I simply use the philosophy to clean the dirtiest parts first anyway as I'm sure most of you also do.