Around the House: Creating the Right Landscaping

Posted on: 27 November 2015

One of the easiest ways to get your lawn looking refreshed is by giving it a quick mow. Mowing your yard can help make it look more polished as long as your mower is in good condition. Should the quality of the blades be lacking or the undercarriage is clogged with old grass, your mower will struggle to cut each blade of grass with a crisp clean look. The last thing you want to see when you are done mowing is an uneven look to the lawn. To help avoid this, here are three maintenance tips to help you get a professional looking cut each and every time you mow. 

Remove Grass Buildup

When you are done mowing the lawn, you want to be sure to remove any grass on top or below your mower. To remove grass on top of the mower, you want to take a broom and brush it off. For any grass buildup under the mower, you can use your hands. Be sure to wear gloves when doing this so the blade does not cut you. You also want to remove any gas in the tank when you turn it on its side. This will help you remove the buildup safely and properly. Grass left in the undercarriage can clog it up and collect around the blades. This makes it hard for the blades to cut the grass evenly. Before putting your mower up for the season, you want to take a hose and spray it off. 

Mower Tuneup

In an effort to prolong the life of your mower and get a crisp clean cut each time, you want to be sure to take your mower in for a tuneup every so often. This allows the technicians to inspect the blades to ensure there are no nicks in them. Nicks in the blade can cause it to tear the grass instead of cutting it smoothly. If your yard looks uneven after you just got done mowing it, it is very likely that one or more of your blades needs sharpening. This can be done with a metal file, but, if you don't have experience with it, it is always best to have a professional handle it. 

Air Filter

One of the best ways to maintain your mower so that you can prolong the life of it is to replace the filter. This should be done about once or twice a year in order to keep it running optimally. Replacement filters can be pretty inexpensive or you can choose to wash them if you didn't want to buy more. Consult your owner's manual to find out which type of filter you need if you choose to replace it. If you decide to wash it, you want to use water and soap to clean it. Apply a coat of motor oil to the filter once it has dried completely.

If you'd much rather have someone else keep your lawn in top shape, consider contacting a local landscaping specialist to maintain your lawn.