Expert's £5 hack will stop autumn leaves wrecking your gutters

An expert has named a handy way households across Britain can prevent a drainage nightmare this autumn.

While many of us enjoy the vibrant colours of falling leaves, it can spell bad news for your home drainage system. A build up of leaves and other debris can leave your drains clogged – potentially leading to flooding, water seeping into walls, rotting fascia boards, and damage to your floorboards.

Worse still, it can be expensive to fix. According to an estimate by The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), damp issues can end up costing homeowners an average of £6,000 to remedy.

READ MORE: 'I'm a gardening expert and this is the best plant you can buy right now'

READ MORE: ‘We booked a flight to Nice - but ended up 495 miles away in Tunisia instead'

Glen Peskett, a circular saw blade specialist at Saxton Blades, says: "Homeowners often wait until it’s too late. They see a few leaves on their roof and think nothing of it, but they don't realise the debris is slowly forming a major blockage that could lead to a disastrous leak."

According to Glen, a crucial part of this pre-autumn check is to assess your property’s exterior for small issues before they become huge problems. Luckily, a few simple tools and some precision can save you thousands.

Glen says the best way to prevent issues is to stop the leaves from getting in in the first place. To achieve this, you can create a simple gutter guard using a roll of plastic mesh from a DIY store and some cable ties.

You can pick up a roll of Blackspur Gutter Mesh from Amazon for £4.97. Meanwhile, you can order cable ties from CPC for 58p per pack.

Firstly, you should cut the mesh to fit the length of your gutter. Next, lay the mesh over the top of the guttering. Finally, use a couple of cable ties to secure the mesh in place. Glen explains: “The leaves will sit on top of the mesh and blow away in the wind, while water can still pass through freely.”

Once your gutters are sorted, there are a few other simple checks you can do to prepare your home for the heavy rains and winds of autumn.

For example, Glen recommends using a saw to cut back any tree limbs that hang over your gutters. He says: “This will drastically reduce the number of leaves and twigs that fall into your drainage system throughout autumn. A precise, clean cut is essential to prevent splintering and protect the health of the tree.”

You should also take care to ensure your fences and sheds are secure. Glen says: “Check your fences for any loose panels that could get ripped off by high winds. Trim any warped or rotted wood and secure them in place to prevent them from becoming a hazard.”