What is the 50p gutter hack for leaves? We asked roofing experts — plus whether it actually works

Blocked gutters can be the cause of untold damage in the autumn and winter with blocked leaves and debris quickly preventing them from doing their job. And as well as causing problems in your home, they can also affect your neighbour's property too.

But, could there be a relatively quick, easy and cheap DIY gutter hack that could solve your gutter cleaning problems instantly?

I was sent one which piqued my interest, not least of all because the email claimed it only cost 50p. Intrigued? I was too, which is why I asked a roofing expert if this gutter hack is all it's cracked up to be, or if it's one to steer clear of.

What is the 50p gutter hack?

According to Glen Peskett, a DIY expert at Saxton Blades we could all be missing a trick when it comes to gutter protection.

"Homeowners often wait until it’s too late," says Glen. "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." It can even lead to abatement notices and fines if the water damages your neighbour's home too.

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. This is where Glen says the 50p hack can save you money as it works by stopping leaves from getting into your gutter from the off.

So what is this magical trick?

It's simply a gutter guard made using a roll of plastic mesh from a DIY store, such as this Garden Netting from Amazon, and some cable ties. Heavy duty ones like the Oksdown 100 Pack Black Plastic Cable Ties fom Amazon would be necessary in an outdoor environment.

Once you have the products, it's as simple as taking the following steps says Glen:

• Step 1: Cut the mesh to fit the length of your gutter
• Step 2: Lay the mesh over the top of the guttering
• Step 3: Use a couple of cable ties to secure the mesh in place. The leaves will sit on top of the mesh and blow away in the wind, while water can still pass through freely

Is the hack a help or a hindrance?

If this gutter hack sounds too easy and good to be true, it's probably because it is.

For a start, the maths doesn't quite work out, with the roll of plastic mesh costing £5.99 and large cable ties (necessary to fit around the width of a gutter) coming in at a similar price, there's no way this gutter hack costs 50p. Maybe 50p per metre at a push, but certainly not for all the gutters on your house.

There are also pre-existing gutter guards that can be installed onto your gutter such as these INEFA Drain Cover Leaf Guards from Amazon, which are undoubtedly more fit for purpose than this hack.

But what about the practical and safety elements of it? Do they stand up in the opinion of a roofing expert, or is it a hack that's best resigned to the same place as your gutter debris – the rubbish bin?

"I don't know how you would do it for that price," says Mike Storey, roofing expert at UKFR Roofing & Insulation, "and I don't really agree that it's the best route forward," he adds.

"While you could in theory create a gutter guard in this way, it's not an alternative to clearing your gutters once a year, as even with mesh in place, they will still fill with smaller bits and become blocked," says Mike.

"In reality, this actually makes it harder to clean them," he warns, "as you would also have to cut them off every year in order to clean your gutters correctly.

"If you have a heavy leaf area under trees, then I can understand why you might consider it," he says, "but it still won't change the need to clean them. Plus, the fact it won't stop smaller debris – which is usually what builds up, rather than leaves that normally just blow out – makes it feel like a fix that just isn't worth it," he concludes.

Mike Storey

Mike Storey is roofing expert at UK Flat Roofing and Insulation Specialists, which provides a variety of flat roofing and construction supplies. The company was founded in 2014 and is now one of the largest roofing and insulation specialists in the country.

Gutter cleaning alternatives

So, if the gutter hack us a no-no, how best can you tackle dirt and debris in gutters?

For a start, there are some recommended gutter cleaning products which include pre-made gutter guards that can prevent some dirt and debris from entering the drainpipe.

"There are products such as gutter brushes" says Mike Storey, including ones like the FloPlast Black Gutter guard which can be fitted to most gutters to prevent leaves and debris building up, "but I personally have never been a fan," states Mike.

"But, these would still be a better idea than the 50p gutter hack in my opinion," he concurs, "as at least they can be taken out and cleaned more easily."

Ideally, you need to get to the gutter in question from a ladder and clean it out, says Mike. "But if you're not comfortable with a ladder, you might be able to use a long hose attachment, or if you have a pressure washer, an attachment for that such as the Tool Daily Pressure Washer Extension Wand from Amazon," he suggests.

"Just ensure to block off the end drain so you can remove the debris that comes from the downpipes without it then blocking the drain," he adds.

Shop gutter cleaning and guard products

Prefer to get the professionals in rather than cleaning your gutters yourself? Find out how much you can expect to pay for gutter cleaning costs, and if they've been damaged or are in need of replacement, head to our article on gutter replacement costs for more information