Can Lawnmowers Get Wet (Everything You Need To Know)
If you’re living in a wet climate, you may be asking yourself…
“Can lawnmowers get wet?”
Good question.
…and that’s exactly what I will answer in this article.
My name is Evan and I’ve been using lawnmowers for many years; both for residential and commercial use. Over the years, I’ve discovered the pros and cons of different lawnmowers, so I’m excited to share my knowledge with you.
And you can bet your a** I’ve been caught in a downpour while mowing the lawn…
Countless times – to be frank!
Anyhow, let’s talk about whether lawnmowers can get wet.
Can Lawnmowers Get Wet?
As I said, I’ve used many lawnmowers over the years, and I’ve yet to find one that does well in wet weather.
If you leave your mower outside or continue mowing in the rain, you’re in for a rude awakening. Once water seeps into the lawnmower parts, it won’t be long before it stops working.
To prevent damage to your lawnmower, I always recommend storing it inside a garage (in most cases).
The problem with storing your lawnmower in a garage is that it can also be affected by moisture (more on that later).
And if you’re mowing outside and it starts raining, put your lawnmower inside immediately.
Plus, cutting the grass when it’s raining is not ideal if you want a nice-looking lawn.
Read Also: Why Is My Lawn Turning Yellow
How To Check If Your Lawnmower Is Water Damaged
If your lawnmower is water damaged, there are certain things you should look out for. Check them out below.
1.) It’s Not Starting
When a lawnmower has extensive water damage, it’s not going to start. No matter how hard you pull the starter cord, nothing is going to happen.
However…
A lawnmower that doesn’t start could be a sign of numerous defects, so don’t jump to conclusions just yet.
With that being said, if you’ve left it outside in rainy weather, it’s most likely going to be caused by water damage.
My advice? Take it to a professional who can have a closer look.
2.) It Cuts Out
Another common sign your lawn mower has water damage is if it starts cutting out during use. The reason your lawnmower cuts out is likely because of water-damaged spark plugs.
Luckily, spark plugs are relatively easy (and cheap!) to replace.
Keep reading to learn how to potentially fix damaged spark plugs.
3.) Not As Powerful As Before
As water seeps into your lawn mower, the parts become damaged. With damaged parts, your lawnmower will begin to lose power.
This may be an instant occurrence or it may begin to lose power over a few weeks.
Regardless, it’s important to get it checked out by a professional. It may only be one part that’s water damaged and needs to be replaced.
If you continue using your lawnmower with damaged parts, it’s going to put stress on other parts of the lawnmower. Over time, this leads to more money in repairs, so it’s better to act now before it’s too late!
What Causes A Lawn Mower To Get Wet?
The main reason a lawn mower gets wet is that it’s left outside and exposed to the elements.
Even if you cover up your lawnmower with some type of waterproof material, I still don’t recommend leaving it outside.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, right!?
Another reason a lawn mower can get wet is if you take it for a spin while it’s raining.
Who would have thought it!?
If you’re that guy, I’m sorry to break it to you…but…lawnmowers are not waterproof!
Instead, I recommend keeping it inside. I understand most people can’t keep a giant lawnmower in their homes. That’s why I recommend keeping your lawnmower in your garage.
What Lawn Mower Parts Are Most Sensitive To Water?
Some lawn mower parts are more susceptible to water damage than others. Below you can find which parts are more likely to be damaged if left to battle the elements.
Spark Plugs
When a spark plug gets rained on, the most common problem is corrosion. When a spark plug gets corroded, it’s not uncommon for your lawnmower to stop working. To check if it’s corroded, remove the spark plug and give it a thorough inspection.
Next, I recommend cleaning it with a spark plug cleaner. These can be purchased online for a reasonable price.
If cleaning your spark plugs doesn’t fix the issue, you likely need to buy new ones. There are spark plugs that are universal and fit most lawnmowers; however, it’s best to reach out to your lawn mower manufacturer to check you’re buying the correct one.
Fuel Tank
It’s unlikely that water will seep into the fuel tank because it’s protected in a metal casing. However, that’s not to say there is not a small crack that water can enter through. In addition, leaving your fuel cap off will allow water to enter.
If water has got in through a small crack, it can lead to corrosion. Not only will the fuel tank become corroded, but also the engine.
If your engine is damaged, it’s a much bigger (and more expensive) problem than minor spark plug damage.
Air Filter
For a lawnmower to function correctly, the engine needs to be receiving sufficient airflow. When the air filter is wet, it becomes clogged.
In turn, this prevents enough air from flowing into the engine.
Moisture VS Water
While moisture is less of a problem than rain, it can still damage your lawnmower over a long enough period. Moisture is most prominent when you are storing your lawnmower long-term without using it.
When storing your lawn mower for a long time, it’s best to fill up the gas tank. This will prevent condensation from building up and spreading to the engine.
Make sure it’s also kept in a well-ventilated area that’s not prone to moisture.
How About Electric Lawn Mowers?
It’s even more important to keep electric lawnmowers protected against water than gas alternatives.
As we all know, electricity and water don’t mix well!
With that being said, most electric lawnmowers do have an outer casing to protect the battery and wiring from water damage.
However…
That’s not to say water doesn’t get into these parts. In fact, leave any electric lawnmower in the rain long enough and it’s not going to work anymore.
To sum things up, an electric lawn mower can withstand some light rain but should be stored inside as soon as possible.
FAQ
Is it OK to hose down a lawn mower?
There are people out there that hose down their lawnmowers. However, I never have and wouldn’t recommend it to anybody.
Every time you hose down a lawnmower, there will be some water that gets into the parts. Over time, these parts will become damaged and need to be replaced.
This leads to my next question…
“Can you power wash a lawnmower?”
Absolutely not!
Not only do you have water damage to worry about, but also damaged the outer casing of your lawn mower. In addition, if your power washer is set too high, the pressure can damage some of the parts.
Instead, here is what I recommend…
How To Clean A Lawn Mower Safely?
Let’s be real…
At some point or another, you need to clean your lawn mower.
The good news is that you can still use water without damaging the parts, provided you follow the steps I’m about to share.
I recommend getting a small bucket of warm water and a sponge. You can also add some cleaning solution if you please.
Dip the sponge into the water and rinse it out before cleaning off any excess dirt and grass. Once you’ve finished cleaning the lawnmower, dry everything with a clean towel.
How about the undercarriage?
Good question.
When cleaning the undercarriage, it’s always best to use an old wooden spoon. You can easily scrape away all the built-up grass, ensuring your lawnmower is performing at optimal capacity.
After removing all the grass, use your sponge to give the undercarriage a final clean.
Summing It Up
Both electric and gas mowers are slightly water-resistant, helping protect them against light rainfall. However, if left outside for too long, they will become damaged.
To prevent this from happening, don’t store your lawnmower outside, and make sure to bring it inside if it begins raining while mowing the lawn.
You also have to consider the potential damage of moisture when storing your lawn mower. If there’s lots of moisture in your garage, it’s best to store it somewhere else.
Otherwise…
You’ll be dealing with the same problem – water damage!