How To Properly Rake Leaves: Our 3 Basic Steps For You
Raking leaves can easily be a very fun chore - we tell you how to properly rake leaves! If you rake leaves the wrong way, you're likely going to have further problems in the future.
How To Properly Rake Leaves: Don't Procrastinate
Knowing how to properly rake leaves includes this important tip: don't procrastinate!! There is nothing more aesthetically pleasing than the site of a beautiful, leaf-covered lawn in the Autumn. But don't be tempted to procrastinate by this gorgeous scene and cause yourself even more problems.
TheSpruce.com laid out problems that can be caused by not raking leaves in the fall. About fall lawn health they said,
It Is a Matter of Lawn Health, not Just Tidiness
- That lawns, too, have to "breathe."
- The lawn will be smothered in a thick layer of unshredded leaves is left on top of them over the winter.
- That such a layer can invite pests and diseases and can cause serious problems like snow mold and brown patch.
- That such a layer forms a barrier that blocks water, nutrients, and a healthy air flow from getting down to the root system of your grass.
- That, if the leaves are matted down, they can even keep new grass blades from emerging next spring.
How To Properly Rake Leaves: Check Gutters
An amateur move in the leaf clearing business is to forget about your gutters. Our next "how to" in the "how to properly rake leaves" list is to not forget your gutters.
Having leaves in your gutters causes a variety of problems which can become very serious. Most notable of all is indoor flooding. If you live anywhere that gets rainwater and especially snow - you will need to have clear gutters in order to protect your home! Having leaves backed up in your gutters can lead to freezing and flooding inside and outside the home and that isn't a problem you want to be dealing with in a foot of snow in February!
Bob Vila outlined how to clean out leaves from gutters. The site said,
"How to Clean Gutters With a Power Washer
Has it been a long while since you last cleaned your gutters? A layer of dirt and debris may have built up over time. Blast it away with the fine-spray nozzle of your power washer. (This type of cleaning can get messy; be prepared to rinse the roof and exterior walls afterward.) For clogged downspouts in particular, there’s no better recourse than a power washer. Simply point the nozzle down the hole and rinse the shaft until the water can run freely through it.
How to Clean Gutters With a Garden Hose
So long as they are not thoroughly clogged, you can clean your gutters successfully with a garden hose. If the hose is equipped with the right attachment (a rigid tube with a curved end), you can stand on the ground, not on a ladder, as you work. Again, start at the end farthest from the downspout and flush the length of the channel; remove any residual material by hand before it dries out.
How to Clean Gutters by Hand
To clean gutters by hand, you’ll need a ladder, bucket, gutter scoop (or garden trowel), and heavy-duty gloves. Little by little, take out the leaves and debris, placing what you remove into the bucket. Finally, flush the gutters and downspout with water until you are certain both are functioning properly. Tip: If your downspouts are clogged and you don’t have a power washer, try busting through the obstruction with a plumber’s snake, then rinse with a hose.
Consider installing a screen or barrier on top of your gutters to prevent leaves and debris from accumulating over the course of the year. Remember what they say about an ounce of prevention!"
How To Properly Rake Leaves: Invest In A Great Rake
Finally, if you really want to know how to properly rake leaves you'll need an excellent rake. Don't skimp and get the cheap stuff. You'll want a good sturdy rake that is long enough to avoid bending over, wide enough to catch all the leaves and strong enough to not break and last year after year.
Bob Vila outlined what to look for in a good rake. They said,
"If you’re raking leaves, what you need is a leaf rake, also known as a lawn rake (view example on Amazon). Sold in varying widths (up to 30″), it has a long handle with tines that fan out in a triangle. The tines are generally made of either metal, plastic, or bamboo. Metal is the most resilient, but perhaps not quite as effective as plastic tines when moving large quantities of leaves, especially if they’re wet. Bamboo tines are the most fragile, of course, but are much gentler on plants, if you are raking over groundcovers or garden beds."
Follow this guide so you can know how to properly rake leaves. In addition, you can visit Keylock Storage Blog for more interesting articles about organization and lifestyle: keylockstorage.com/blogs
