Angie's List

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Spring cleaning isn't just for the inside of your house - you also need to tackle the landscape and yard outside your home. In this week's Angie's List report Jim Donovan tells us that before you start, you may want to tune up your mower and other yard equipment.

In a recent Angie's List poll, landscaping was one of the top projects that people plan to tackle this year and for good reason. In addition to making your lawn the envy of the neighborhood, a well designed landscape can add anywhere from seven to 14 percent of a home's value.

Your lawn mower is one of the most used machines in your garage, and often the most neglected. According to Angie's List founder Angie Hicks, "It's important each spring to have your mower tuned up. It's going to last longer and run better and you should also have the blade sharpened because it's going to be better on the grass, it's going to make a cleaner cut - which is going to make your lawn healthier. A lot of times people don't think about taking care of their lawnmower, but if they do, it will last a number of years."

A service check will help avoid breakdowns and extend your lawn mowers life cycle. Among the items that will be checked will be "the air filter, the belts and all the other components that are moving - working parts," says Ples Johnson, a lawm mower repair specialist.

Angie says, "Especially in today's economy, if we can prevent any kind of surprise expenses down the road, it's going to be really helpful. So, having your lawnmower tuned up, which might be a relatively inexpensive expense will keep you from having to purchase a new lawnmower later."

Here are some things to think about regarding mower maintenance:

- Warning signs that your mower needs maintenance can include difficulty starting, a smoking engine, or reduced horsepower.

- A sharp blade is important because cutting grass with a sharpened blade is important for lawn health - it promotes better grass health. If you notice the blade has some major gashes - it may be time to buy a new one - which costs around $10.

- Before mowing for the first time this season, clean up your yard. Walk through and pick up any sticks and branches that have fallen over the winter. Then rake up all the leaves that are left over.

- Rake away all the thatch that has accumulated since the fall/winter. Thatch is that tangle of dried up dead grass and weeds that intertwines with your live grass. If left alone, thatch can prevent nutrients and water from reaching the roots of your lawn.

- Start mowing when the grass grows about 3 inches tall. Keep grass at least 2 inches tall. This height helps the grass weeds off weeds and withstand summer drought.

- After each mowing, wait until the engine cools and use a hose to spray the clippings and grass debris that may be clinging to the underside of the deck of your mower. This will keep grass clippings from building up and help prevent clogging.

Need a new mower? Consider this:

Determine what type of mower suits your yard best: Consider the size of the lawn. Do you want a push or rider? Gas, electric or reel?

-A self-propelled mower requires less pushing and would be good for hilly or large lawns.

-Reel mowers are eco-friendly, but you're only cutting off an 1/8" to a ¼", which means you have to mow more often.

What's your budget? You will find various price levels for mowers ranging from "economical" through mid-price to premium price.

Buy a new one or hire help? Ask yourself if you would rather spend the money on a lawn service and have your weekends free to do something else, or would you rather have a new mower?

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