The 'White Palace' of the South Coast
Standing as a five-storey landmark on the Eastbourne seafront, the Grand Hotel is a Victorian architectural masterpiece. Known affectionately as the ‘White Palace,’ maintaining a building of this architectural significance requires specialist care and a strategic approach to exterior maintenance. On December 8, 2025, the team from Ben’s Gutters Commercial arrived at King Edward’s Parade to conduct a full-scale clearance of the property’s gutters.
The Scope of Work
Ben’s Gutters Commercial was appointed to carry out a comprehensive clean of the entire site, focusing on the gutters, downpipes, gullies, and hopper boxes. This operation was designed to ensure the building remained protected from the harsh coastal elements. The project scope covered several key elevations and internal areas:
• The Rear Elevation: Above the commercial shops.
• The Side Elevations: Specifically Jevington Road and Silverdale Road.
• The Front Elevation: The main facade facing the seafront.
• The Internal Courtyards: Restricted-access areas within the building’s core.
The Equipment: Precision at Height
Working on a five-storey commercial property necessitates the use of specialized, high-reach equipment to ensure safety and efficiency. The Ben’s Gutters Commercial team, which is fully trained and ISO certified, utilized a suite of technology to access every level of the hotel:
• Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs): Both a 51-metre Cherry Picker (CP) and a Spider lift were deployed to gain the necessary height for the high-level gutters and gullies.
• The SkyVac System: This high-powered vacuum system allowed the team to clear gutters from the ground or through windows, which proved vital for the internal courtyards.
• Traditional Ladders: Used for lower-level precision work where mechanical access was restricted.
Phase 1: Rear Elevation and Shop Fronts
The project began at the rear of the hotel above the shops. Using the Cherry Picker and Spider lifts, the team accessed the hopper boxes and gullies at the higher levels.
Findings: The team discovered moderate debris consisting of plant life, moss, standing water, and sludge.
Action: All debris was removed, and the systems were swept and brushed clean to ensure they were free-flowing, alongside their associated downpipes.
Phase 2: The Side Elevations
Moving to Jevington Road, the team combined the 51-metre lift with ladders to reach the gutters.
Findings: In addition to moss and sludge, the team found broken roof tiles lodged in the guttering.
Action: By removing these heavy obstructions and brushing the gullies clear, the team restored the hopper boxes to a free-flowing state. Similar clearance was performed on the Silverdale Road side, leaving all gullies, gutters, and hoppers clear and clean.
Phase 3: Front Elevation and Architectural Details
The front of the hotel requires meticulous attention to detail. Using the 51-metre lift and spider, the team reached and cleaned all high-level gutters, gullies, and hoppers.
Vegetation Removal: Beyond standard minimal-to-moderate debris, the team removed plants growing directly from the render and balconies.
Outcome: These areas were left clear, clean, and functioning as intended to prevent water ingress into the building’s facade.
Phase 4: The Internal Courtyards
The internal courtyards presented the most significant logistical challenge as they were inaccessible to external machinery.
Innovative Access: The team took apart the SkyVac system and manually lifted it through hotel windows to gain entry to the courtyards.
Left Courtyard: Found to be full of debris in areas, with extensive plant life and grass growing from the gutters. The full length of the SkyVac hose was used to clear every corner.
Right Courtyard: A broken tile had blocked a corner, preventing debris from flowing; this was cleared to restore drainage. Moss was also swept from the flat roof areas to ensure total clearance.
Technical Audit and Maintenance Findings
As part of the commercial service, the team provided a visual report of the building’s condition, highlighting several defects for the client’s attention:
• Window and Roof Integrity: The report highlighted damaged or rotten window frames, as well as several cracks in the mortar and rendering. Where possible, the team replaced slipped or broken roof tiles on the spot.
• The Corner Leak: A leak reported by the client was identified as a disconnected gutter corner. Due to its position, it could not be clipped back with ladders and had dropped too far to be reached with the SkyVac pole, though the gutter itself was clear.
• Chimney Growth: A small plant was identified in a downpipe, having fallen from growth on a chimney above. While not currently a blockage, it was flagged as it could not be removed at the time.
• Netting: Certain areas remained inaccessible for cleaning due to being covered by protective netting.
Conclusion and Recommendations
By the end of the operation, all accessible drainage systems at the Grand Hotel were left clear and ready to perform, shielding the property from potential water damage.
To maintain the performance of the building’s drainage, regular clearances are recommended. Ben’s Gutters Commercial offers a 3-year price freeze on contract options to help commercial clients manage their maintenance budgets effectively. We are trusted specialists in large-scale commercial gutter and roof cleaning, dedicated to protecting property and maintaining performance.
