Set the timer to 18 minutes

How to use the online timer

Staying beside the terrace gutter while you clear autumn leaves lets you watch each section begin to drain rather than leaving a hidden blockage behind. Eighteen minutes is enough for a focused pass along a modest run: lift out the packed leaves, gather the loose material and observe where water still sits. Keep your attention on the outlet, as a small clump pushed towards it can undo the work.

Clearing continues even if the countdown tab slips behind a weather forecast, message or music screen. The timer should keep running in a background tab, although some phones may quieten alerts when battery-saving settings are active. Because you remain near the gutter, an occasional glance at the screen is practical; it also prevents the alarm from being missed beneath scraping, bag rustling or water poured through the channel.

Working beside the gutter during a UK hot spell changes the pace of the job. Sun-warmed metal and brittle, dusty leaves favour short, careful movements rather than hurried handfuls, while shaded sections may still hold damp debris from earlier rain. Use the available period on the exposed run first, then check the downpipe with a small pour of water; if drainage is clear, spend the remaining moments collecting debris from the terrace rather than disturbing another section.