5 Leaf Blower Tips for Fall Cleanup

Fall is the time when you may want some leaf blower tips to help you get rid of all the leaves covering your lawn. This might seem like an endless task, but using a leaf blower can be a quick and easy way to keep your lawn clear of leaves until the trees are finally bare. Here are five leaf blower tips to help you with the fall cleanup.

1. Follow Local Regulations and Play It Safe

Leaf blowers can be noisy, so start by making sure you won’t be breaking any local rules or regulations by using one. Some towns prohibit the use of noisy equipment like leaf blowers, except during certain hours. Double-check the rules in your town before you upset the neighbors.

That same noise is also hard on your ears, so be sure to wear ear protection. It’s also a good idea to wear safety glasses. You never know what might get kicked up by your leaf blower, but you definitely don’t want anything to get into your eyes.

2. Decide Between Gas and Electric

Gas blowers are generally more powerful, but they’re also heavier, and they require regular maintenance, such as tank refills. If you have a large yard with lots of leaves, however, gas blowers can make quick work of the job.

Electric blowers come in two flavors: Some have rechargeable battery packs, and some plug right into an outlet. They’re lighter than gas models, but many are less powerful than gas models, so make sure you compare them carefully. Bear in mind that a rechargeable battery could run out before the job is done, and corded models can be a challenge for larger yards. Electric tends to be a better choice for people with smaller lawns.

3. Avoid Wind and Rain

If the leaves are wet, then don’t bother trying to use the leaf blower, as wet leaves are usually too heavy to blow into a pile. Windy weather poses the opposite problem: Leaves will easily take flight if you use a leaf blower while it’s gusty, but they’ll refuse to be tamed and will likely go every which way. For these reasons, one of the most important leaf blower tips you can follow is to check the weather forecast and plan to do the work on a day that’s both dry and free of gusty winds.

4. Break Out a Tarp

Blowing piles of leaves onto a large tarp can make it easier to collect them and bring them to their final destination. A tarp should make it easier to gather up the leaves and combine any smaller piles together. From there you can bag the leaves and put them out on the curb or bring them to the dump. If you plan to dispose of the leaves on a wooded part of your property, a tarp can make this easier as well by allowing you to drag a giant pile right into the woods.

5. Use Caution Near Flower Beds

If you’re using a leaf blower near flower beds, go slowly and try to avoid pointing the leaf blower directly at any fragile plants that could be damaged. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t kick up any mulch that could end up in the yard and create a whole new mess to clean.

Fall is a beautiful time of year, but all those leaves can create quite a mess. By following these tips for using a leaf blower, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the crisp autumn weather in no time.

Check out all the lawn care products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on using a leaf blower, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.