Can you leave the lawn mower in the rain? Will it work after being left out in the rain?
Simply put, It depends.
- What type of lawn mower do you have?
- How long it was left out in the rain?
Some lawnmowers are weather-resistant. These can withstand being left out in the rain for short periods without any issues.
However, if your lawn mower is not weather-resistant and is left out in the rain for an extended period, it may need to be fixed.
Of course, You want to know what will happen to the mower parts if left in the rain.
Which parts are more prone to damage by rain? How to fix an excessively wet mower?
Let’s get started.
Lawn Mower Vs. Rain: What Happens?
Lawnmowers are intended for use in the great outdoors. They may inevitably be subjected to rain and other forms of moisture.
They are constructed to hold up against the elements of nature, such as grass, sticks, mud, and more.
Whether it’s rain, sprinklers, or just leaving it out overnight and having the morning dew hit, your mower will eventually become wet.
However, leaving the lawnmower outdoors for a day or two during a rainstorm is usually fine. However, you should limit this to once every so often.
Lawnmowers usually function properly in the rain as long as the water doesn’t seep too far inside the machine.
However, the mower may get severely damaged if water gets inside the ignition plug or air filter.
What Parts Get Damaged Mostly?
Leaving a lawn mower out in the rain can have varying effects, depending on the model and its exposure to water.
Some mowers may still work after being exposed to rain. However, we will not recommend leaving them outside, as it can lead to damage and potential malfunctions.
Water entering the engine or electrical components can cause rust, corrosion, or short circuits. Statistics show that water damage is one of the leading causes of outdoor power equipment failure.
Say, you have a gas-powered mower from a company with a good brand reputation. It will most likely keep functioning even if you frequently leave it out in the rain. Even consumer-grade mowers from lesser-known companies should continue to function.
Obviously, keeping a mower dry is preferable.
Here is a partial list of the mower parts that degrade or become less functional in the rain.
Mower Deck
Using a mower in wet grass will often cause large amounts of grass clippings to stick to the underside of the deck.
This can slow down the blade and cause frequent jams.
Wet, clumpy masses of grass will get dislodged and become embedded in the lawn, killing the grass underneath within a couple of weeks.
Worse still, the chewed-up clippings will harden into a mass under there that will require scraping off to run properly. It is better to wait until the grass is parched again before mowing.
Cables
Any cable going up to the mower handle will get moisture down the line of the cable during wet conditions.
The cable lists are:
- Bail cables
- Throttle cables
- Traction cables
- BBCs (blade brake cables)
This can lead to corrosion of the cable, especially the inside housing of the cable. That can lead to friction and resistance along the line.
It can prevent a cable from sliding easily.
If you leave your mower out, you need to frequently squirt some multipurpose oil on the area where each cable meets its housing. That will help keep your mower cables from seizing up or snapping.
Air Filters
If they are appropriately covered, they can stay dry. It becomes temporarily tricky for air to get through the filter and into the carburetor.
You should have at least one backup or replacement air filter on hand to switch out the wet filter if the engine becomes hard to start.
Ideally, you want to buy a mower with a plastic cover that completely seals the filter off from any moisture.
Gas Jerry Can
Gas quality degrades when exposed to sunlight, rain, and time. A jerry can containing gasoline that has been exposed to the elements for a month or longer is at risk of containing spoiled fuel. If bad gas is accidentally added to a gasoline tank, the engine will start once the tank is flushed.
Fuel Tank
If you happened to leave the fuel tank lid off the tank, you could get water in your gas inside the tank. This spoiled gas situation could also prevent the engine from starting up. If it happened, you would need to siphon the contaminated gas out of the tank and then loosen the fuel bowl to allow the lousy gas to run through entirely before flushing in new gas.
How to Tell If Your Gas Lawn Mower Has Water in It
Check for the most obvious signs of water in the gas reservoir of your riding mower before you start freaking out and doing anything. If you know what to look for, you can rescue your system.
A Difficult Start-up
You would think that water would settle to the bottom of the gas tank since it is denser than gas. Like most mowers, yours presumably takes gas from its base, and that’s where the issue arises. Because of this, the difficulty with starting the engine will occur practically soon after you attempt to start it, as water will be pulled into the carburetor ahead of the gasoline.
There will only be enough gas in the tank to feed the carburetor if you have used the mower all season. As more water settles at the tank’s base, the difficulty of the situation will increase.
Fail to Function Adequately
If there isn’t much water in the mower’s fuel system, starting the engine shouldn’t cause any problems, but accelerating quickly through throttle openings can cause some hesitation.
It’s conceivable that the engine might eventually fail under stress. The only solution is to disassemble the mower and drain the water from the fuel tank and carburetor.
Sprinting and Pausing
You can initially start the engine even if there is little water at the fuel tank’s bottom. Now that the spark plug has access to sufficient gasoline, the engine may begin to operate normally.
The issue, however, will arise if the engine is allowed to continue running after water has been absorbed into the fuel supply. Then your mower could just cease working without warning. Occasionally, it may become possible to get things going again, but it might happen again.
Broken Gas Tank
Remember that the worst harm may not show up until it is already too late. Water accumulation in the fuel tank may degrade engine efficiency, so it’s important to check it out as soon as you detect any problems.
It’s the only method to detect water damage to the engine early enough to avoid costly issues like rust and corrosion.
How to Fix a Mower Left Out in the Rain
When your lawnmower becomes wet, you must take the following precautions:
Simply starting your lawnmower and letting it play for a couple of minutes should dry it out if it becomes wet during the rain. The engine’s heat will help it dry out on its own. Rust may be avoided in this way as well. Another option is to run it for a few minutes after leaving it out in direct sunlight to air out for several hours.
If the outside becomes wet, you may wipe it off with a dry towel and put it away somewhere dry and out of the weather.
More investigation may be required if you’ve tried the solutions above and it still won’t turn on. When the mower is left outdoors in the rain, this may happen.
Step-1
You may need to examine the ignition plug and wipe away any moisture or humidity if the spark won’t fire.
The spark plug should be washed, dried, and maybe sanded to remove any remaining residue. Check the spark plug’s electrode gap, and let it dry in the air.
Please put it back in when you’re ready to try starting it again. If it turns over, you’re fine to go; if not, continue to the next step.
Step-2
Take out its air filter. You should inspect it regularly. The moisture level in the lawn mower will determine whether or not you have to air it out or replace it.
Even excessive filth and dust in the air filter might pollute your fluids and render your mower inoperable. No matter the conditions, this should be cleaned regularly.
You can attempt cranking the lawnmower over again, but if it fails to function, you’ll have to move on to the following step.
Step-3
Gather a clean jar for gas drainage and examine it for signs of water. In the presence of gas, the water will begin to create small bubbles. The same way oil in a pan retains its shape even when submerged in water. Water, being denser than air, sinks to the ground.
If you detect any water, you must disassemble the lawnmower, including the deck, fuel tank, air filter, and carburetor.
The mower and its components need to be cleaned and allowed to dry in the open air. Fill the tank with new gas, but make sure it is not water-contaminated before driving. You may try again whenever you feel prepared to. Now, it ought to be functional.
How to Protect Lawn Mower From Getting Wet in Rain
- Putting on a mower cover: Waterproof lawn mower covers, sheet tarps, tarpaulin sheets, or a tent are some of the finest methods to shield the mower from wet weather.
- Leave the lawnmower parked under a tree: It was designed to operate in the open, so it shouldn’t have any problems in very mild weather. The lawnmower is only at risk from too much water. Lawnmowers may be left beneath a large tree adjacent to the home if a cover is out of the question. This will prevent water from getting in and will keep it dry.
- Park the lawnmower in its storage shed: This is the safest and most effective way to keep it dry. You may store your lawnmower and other outdoor tools safely in a shed. This is so since it provides you with a place to keep things dry and protected for an extended period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a lawnmower be protected from the rain?
A lawnmower may be stored outdoors if it is protected from the elements with a mower covering or a tarp.
Is it okay to mow the lawn if it’s raining slightly?
It is perfectly fine to mow in the rain if it is raining slightly. However, it is best to mow when the grass isn’t wet. It can be more messy to do it when wet compared to dry. Wet clippings sticking to the mower can clog the mower deck, etc. But if it is slightly raining, it should be fine to mow, ensuring there are no electrical hazards.
Can a Lawnmower Be Waterproof?
Since lawnmowers are so delicate, it could not seem very easy to make them watertight. A plastic covering can stop some water from seeping in but won’t protect it completely.
There is a significant difference between water-resistant and waterproof—even gadgets designed to withstand water damage from prolonged submersion.
Wet grass may still be cut, although it’s not recommended for the reasons listed below:
– It’s more difficult to cut them, and the motor has to work harder.
– The incisions are not precise;
– increases the possibility of soil rutting;
– It can cause blades to become dull
Wrap Up
So, all these discussions come to an end, that leaving your lawn mower outside while raining is fine. But this is only applicable if it isn’t raining heavily. However, getting wet in the rainfall for prolonged hours can cause damage to the machine.
So, better you should store it properly when not in use.
