Does wet grass damage a lawn mower? The simple answer is not really, but we wouldn’t recommend it! Mowing in the rain is rarely done in New Zealand and, indeed, in countries across the world, and there’s a good reason for this. For most mowers, it’s simply too much hassle – but, let us explain.
Your mower won’t be hurt, unless…
Most lawn mowers can handle mowing wet grass once, twice, or even a handful of times. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be happy with the result of your mowing – or that a mower won’t experience problems afterwards. Mowing wet grass can lead to the chutes of your mower clogging, so if you don’t clean it properly, it may break down in the future. Wet grass easily clumps which can make this difficult, and if you’re mowing whilst it’s actively raining, your mower’s air filter could even become waterlogged, meaning it could become unusable.
For electric mowers, the risk of breaking down when mowing wet grass is even higher. For example, if rain damages the spark plug of your mower, your lawn mower will receive no power! Damage to the electrical starter would also be critical, and even light rainfall could manage this.
As such, we always recommend waiting for the weather to clear before mowing your lawn. You never know when disaster could strike, or whether you’ve pushed the integrity of your mower too far.
There are also added inconveniences
Not keeping your mower dry comes with additional inconveniences, too – another major reason why it should be avoided, even if mowing wet grass is possible! For petrol mowers, mowing wet grass consumes more fuel, which soon becomes a drain on your bank account. As we’ve suggested above, mowing grass in the rain may also create an unsatisfactory or unattractive result. It’s likely that your lawn will look untidy or clumpy, and the entire process will take much longer than usual.
With all of this hassle, we must also be firm that mowing grass in the rain also increases the likelihood that you’ll have an accident. Slipping and falling is a more pressing safety concern than you might think, especially for gardens on slopes or uneven land; after all, it’s not only your lawn mower that can be hurt whilst outdoors. Prioritise your wellbeing, and you in turn protect the longevity and condition of your mower.
At Lifestyle Lawns Ltd, if your lawn mower is playing up or damaged by the rain, we have you covered. Call us for personalised lawn mowing services, delivered with ease and efficiency. There’s no need to wrestle with the weather or your mower any longer.