Can Lawn Mowers Get Wet?

We’ve all seen someone mowing the lawn in the rain. And while it may seem like a strange sight, it does raise an interesting question: can lawn mowers get wet?

Yes, lawn mowers can get wet to some degree. They’re heavy duty machines built for outdoor use, so important electrical components are sealed and protected from the elements.

But a lawn mower can not get soaked. Leaving the machine out for an extended period of time in the rain can cause permanent damage to the wiring, or engine.

Can Water Damage a Lawn Mower?

From bad spark plugs to damaged wiring, water can cause extensive damage to your lawn mower. In most cases, it won’t start – or it will suddenly turn off when you’re mowing the lawn.

Spark Plug Problems

In some rare cases, your spark plugs may get wet from water. This can cause irreversible damage, as it will prevent the engine from starting properly. There are two things you can do when this happens.

You can either clean the part, or install new spark plugs. Cleaning the spark plugs may work temporarily, but the engine can always stop when mowing in the future. Make sure the area is completely dry before installing new spark plugs.

Electrical Issues

It’s no surprise that water and electrical components do not mix. When using your lawn mower, this will cause a short. For example, the machine may come to an abrupt stop when you’re mowing the lawn.

Water can also cause damage when the lawn mower is in storage. Any exposed wires may begin to corrode with the presence of moisture. That’s why it’s vital to keep wires protected from water.

Water In Gas Tank

Finding water inside the gas tank is one of the worst things for your lawn mower. This will prevent the engine from starting, no matter how much effort you put into yanking on the starter cord.

One of the most common ways water gets into the tank is when the gas cap is left off for a prolonged period of time. If you have water in the tank, remove all of the fuel before filling it back up.

Fixing a Lawn Mower that Has Been Rained On

There are a handful of steps you can try if your machine has been rained on. The very first thing you should do is let the lawn mower dry. Too many people panic and start tearing parts off, before drying it off.

The problem with this mindset is that once you start removing things, there’s a better chance for water to enter vital components. Allowing the exterior to dry first will prevent this from happening.

The next step you should do is dry out the fuel system. If you’re lawn mower has been rained on, there’s a good change water has entered the gas tank. Make sure to disconnect the fuel line (where it connects to the carburetor) and drain everything into a bucket.

If that doesn’t work, you can also try draining the oil. Lawn mower oil that has recently been contaminated will appear milky. You can empty the oil through the drain plug and replace it with fresh oil.

How to Keep a Lawn Mower Dry

The good news is, there are a handful of practices you can take, in order to keep your lawn mower dry and running. Following preventative measures and a routine maintenance schedule is key.

1. Wipe Down the Exterior

One way of keeping your lawn mower dry is to clean the exterior after each use. This includes removing any grass clippings and making sure the parts are dry – before storing the machine.

The easiest method is to use a leaf blower on the exterior. This will blow off any grass, leaves, and sticks. Then you can use a rag, in order to remove anything else on the surface for removal.

2. Don’t Mow in the Rain

It’s impossible to predict the weather. And sometimes our schedules are so busy we can only mow at certain times. But if you want to keep your lawn mower dry, make sure to avoid taking it out on a rainy day.

It’s better to wait until the weather clears up. Mowing in light rain is okay – as long as you wipe down the machine after. But heavy amounts of rain can ruin electrical components and cause damage to the machine.

3. Leave Gas Cap On

You should never leave the gas tank cap off for an extended period of time. If you’re used to storing your lawn mower like this – don’t. The opening can cause moisture to build up inside of the fuel tank.

As we have learned by now, water mixed with gas can be terrible for your lawn mower. It will prevent you from running the machine and the motor could shut off during regular use.

4. Keep Mower Elevated

Whenever storing the lawn mower, it’s important to keep it elevated off the ground. This is imperative if you keep the machine outside for an extended period of time – in the winter, or summer.

You want to avoid water puddles developing underneath the lawn mower. When electrical parts on the machine get wet they can corrode and fall apart. And if enough time has passed, it will damage the lawn mower.

Final Thoughts

So, can lawn mowers get wet? At the end of the day, lawn mowers can withstand some level of moisture. They can be used in light periods of rain, as long as you wipe down the machine when done.

Problems arise when lawn mowers get completely soaked, sit in standing water for a prolonged period, or if you mulch wet leaves. Even the highest quality machines will not be 100 percent water sealed.

That means you will need to follow steps in order to protect vital electrical components and spark plugs. You should also always keep the gas cap on, as any water inside the fuel tank will cause damage to the motor.

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