NJ Home Inspector Lic #24GI00064100
FHA 203k Consultant ID #P1707
Certified Thermographer #34446
We offer competitive rates and flexible scheduling! Call (609) 607-0485 to schedule services today.



Mower Maintenance and Mowing Guide

Mower Maintenance and Mowing Guide

This article is a supplement to the Early Spring Lawn Care Tips article that On The Level Home Inspections posted the other day. Just like doing some work early in the season to help attain that desirable lawn, the same goes for mower maintenance. The last thing you will want to deal with during the dog days of summer is fighting to get your mower to start and run efficiently. These simple and relatively easy to do tips will help your mowing season be a little smoother. If you’re not too handy and don’t want to be bothered with a DIY tune-up, bring your mower to a professional. If you want to take the challenge on, you will want to find your owner’s manual (to locate the specific components, replacement part numbers, etc.) and some basic tools.  

1.     Gas. Always start with fresh gas. I cannot emphasis this enough. If you didn’t empty out the gas tank last fall, do it now. It has been my experience that most starting issues are mostly related to the fuel supply. In addition to fresh gas, I also suggest using a gas stabilizer. I personally use Marvel’s Mystery Oil, but any gas stabilizer product should do fine. Just follow the manufactures’ recommend dosing amounts. The stabilizer products will not only keep the gas in your gas can fresh, it will help prevent the carburetor, fuel lines, and filter from developing the varnish from the additives that are put into the gas nowadays. Also, if your mower has a fuel filter, follow the manufactures’ instructions for replacement.  

2.     Oil Change.  Regularly changing the engine oil will help keep your mower running for years to come. Locate the oil tank and the drain plug. Tilt the mower and block and stabilize as needed to allow the oil to drain out. Place an oil pan or other suitable container under the drain plug. Using the proper size wrench, turn the plug counter clockwise until the oil begins to drain. You may need to reposition the drain pan at this time. Completely remove the drain plug and allow all of the old oil to drain out. Please remember to properly discard the used engine oil. After all the old oil is drained out, replace the drain plug. Do not over tighten the plug or you will have a difficult time next year when you need to change the oil. If your mower has an oil filter, replace it before adding the new oil. Remember to lightly coat the rubber seal with a little bit of new oil. As with the drain plug, do not over tighten the oil filter. Fill the oil tank with the recommended type and amount of engine oil.

3.     Spark Plug. Locate the spark plug and disconnect the spark plug wire by grasping the boot (closest part to the spark plug) and gently twist and pull off. Using the proper size spark plug socket, remove the old spark plug. Refer to your owner’s manual for the proper gap size. Check the gap of the new spark plug and adjust accordingly. Install the new spark plug and replace the spark plug wire.

4.     Air Filter. There are 2 types of air filters. Paper and foam. Locate the air filter housing and remove the cover. Inspect the air filter for its overall condition. If you have a paper filter and it’s not too dirty, simply clean the filter with compressed air (air in a can) and re-install. If it is dirty you are probably better off to just replace it. If you have a foam filter you can clean it up if it isn’t ripped or torn. Simply wash it using warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly, and lightly coat it with some new engine oil. Re-install and replace the housing cover.

5.     Mower Blade. This is often overlooked. A dull and damage mower blade will not help give you that sharp, nicely cut look you will want. If you haven’t changed or sharpened your mower’s blade lately, now is a good time to do so. Tilt the mower and block and stabilize as needed to get to the cutting blade. Most of the bolts securing the mower blade are a left handed thread. Using the proper size wrench/socket, remove the bolt by turning it clockwise. Inspect the overall condition of the blade. If it isn’t too damaged with nicks and dings you can have the blade professionally sharpened at most hardware stores. If it is however damaged, replacing the blade altogether is your best bet.  

6.     Mowing Strategy. Most of us are creatures of habit. We tend to mow our lawns using the same pattern over and over. Not only does this get us into a rut, but puts our lawns into a rut, literally. When the mower wheels run over the same section of ground again and again, you will develop ruts. Additionally, the grass blades will be conditioned to being bent in 1 direction, never learning to grow straight up. So switch up your mowing pattern every other cut and see the difference. Lastly, remember not to cut the grass too short. The general rule of thumb is to cut only the top third of the grass blade. This helps encourage the roots to grow strong.

We at On The Level Home Inspections hope you found this information useful. Please feel free to contact us via email, or call us at 609-607-0485 if you have any questions. If you have any ideas or suggestions for future articles, we welcome your suggestions.

John Harashinski

On The Level Home Inspections

609-607-0485

 

 

 

Share:  Add to Facebook Tweet This Add to Delicious Submit to Digg Stumble This

If you have a Google + account and you found this content informative and useful, please hit the Google + icon at the top of this page. It will help others find this information, and allow me to help others. Also, please feel free to follow On The Level Home Inspections with your social media of choice. Thanks!

See what previous clients have to say about us!

"Mr. Harashinski conducted a thorough and professional inspection of my house on Osborn Island. The inspection reports he repaired were completed promptly and accurately. I was purchasing the house at the time and his inspection gave me confidence that the house was in good shape and that I could safely proceed with the purchase.  I highly recommend his services."

Robert D

Proudly serving:

Ocean County NJ

Adamstown, Allenwood, Bamber Lake, Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Barnegat Pines, Bay Head,Bayville, Beach Haven, Beach Haven Crest, Beach Haven Garden, Beach Haven Park, Beach Haven West, Beach Haven Terrace, Beachwood, Berkeley Township, Brant Beach, Breton Woods, Brick, Brick Town, Cape Breton, Cassville, Cedar Bonnet Island, Cedar Run, Cedarcroft, Cedarwood Park, Chadwick, Clarksburg, Creamridge, Dover Township, Forked River, Freewood Acres, Harmony, Harvey Cedars, Haven Beach, Herbertsville, Holmeson, Howell, Island Beach, Island Heights, Jackson,Jackson Mills, Lake Riviera, Lakehurst, Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Center, Lakewood, Lanoka Harbor, Laurelton, Lavalette, Legler, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach Island, Manahawkin, Manchester, Mayetta, Metedeconk, Midstreams, Millstone Township, Mystic Island, New Egypt, New Grenta, Normandy Beach, North Beach, North Beach Haven, Ocean Gate, Ortley Beach, Osbornville, Osborn Island, Pakertown, Peahala Park, Pelican Island, Pine Beach, Pine Lake Park, Pinewald, Plumsted, Point Pleasant Boro, Point Pleasant Beach, Riviera Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom , Shore Acres, Silver Bay, Silverton, South Toms River, Southard, Spray Beach, Stafford, Staffordville, Surf City, Toms River, Tuckerton, Wading River, Waretown, Warren Grove, Washington Township, West Creek, West Point Island, Whitesville, Whiting, Woodland Township

Atlantic County NJ

Absecon, Absecon City, Absecon Heights, Absecon Highlands, Ancora, Atlantic City, Bargaintown, Batsto, Belcoville, Blue Anchor, Braddock, Brigantine, Brigantine City, Buena, Cardiff, Cologne, Devonshire, Egg Harbor, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Elm, Elwood, English Creek, Estell Manor,Farmington, Folsom, Galloway, Galloway Township, Germania, Green Bank, Hammonton, Landisville, Leeds Point, Linwood, Longport, Lower Bank, Margate, Margate City, McKee City, Milmay, Minotola, Mizpah, Nesco, Newtonville, Northfield, Oceanville, Pinehurst, Pleasantville, Pomona, Port Republic, Richland, Rosedale, Scullville, Smithville, Somers Point, South Egg Harbor, Steelmanville, Ventnor, Ventnor City, Ventnor Heights, Weekstown, West Atlantic City, Weymouth

Burlington County NJ

Beverly, Birmingham, Bordentown, Bridgeboro, Browns Mills, Burlington, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Chatsworth, Chesterfield, Cinnaminson, Cookstown, Crosswicks, Delanco, Delran, Eastampton, Eastampton Township, Fieldsboro, Florence, Fort Dix, Hainesport, Hainesport Township, Indian Mills, Jobstown, Juliustown, Kresson, Lenola, Lumberton, Lumberton Township, Mansfield, Maple Shape, Marlton, Marlton Lakes, Masonville, McGuire Air Force Base, Medford, Medford Township, Medford Lakes, Moorestown, Mount Holly, Mount Holly Township, Mount Laurel, Mount Laurel Township, New Gretna, New Lisbon, North Delran, North Hanover, North Marlton, Palmyra, Pemberton, Pine Grove, Rancocas, Rancocas Woods, Riverside, Riverton, Shamong, Southampton, Southampton Township, Tabernacle, Tabrnacle Township, Vincentown, Westampton, Westampton Township, Willingboro, Wrightstown

Monmouth County NJ

Aberdeen, Adelphia, Allenhurst, Allentown, Allenwood, Asbury Gardens, Asbury Park, Atlantic Highlands, Avon, Avon by the Sea, Belford, Belmar, Bradevelt, Bradley Beach, Bradley Park, Brielle, Cedar Beach, Claksburg, Cliffwood, Cliffwood Beach, Cold Indian Springs, Colonial Terrace, Colts Neck, Cream Ridge, Creamridge, Deal, Deal Park, Earle Naval Weapons Station, East Freehold, East Keansburg, Eatontown, Elberon, Elberon Park, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Fort Hancock, Fort Monmouth, Freehold, Georgia, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell, Ideal Beach, Keansburg, Keyport,Lake Como, Leonardo, Lincroft, Little Silver, Manalapan, Manasquan, Marlboro, Matawn, Middletown, Millhurst, Monmouth Beach, Morganville, Navesink, Neptune, Neptune City, North Long Branch, North Middletown, Oakhurst, Ocean, Ocean Grove, Oceanport, Port Monmouth, Port-au-Peck, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shark River Hills, Shrewsbury, South Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tennent, Tinton Falls, Union Beach, Wall, Wanamassa, West End, West Long Branch, Whitesville

Last Updated  04.03.2013