A well-manicured lawn boosts your home’s curb appeal and can help make your yard a welcoming space for parties. Lawn mowers last for years, but their blades start getting dull over time, compromising the results they leave on your grass. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the importance of caring for the blades on your mower.

Why Do Lawn Mower Blades Need Sharpening?

Dull blades make the tips of your grass brown and tattered, leaving your yard in worse condition than how you found it. This not only creates unsightly streaks, but also makes your lawn susceptible to weeds and insect infestation. Sharp blades help keep grass green and neat, and save you time since they trim grass down on fewer passes.

How Do I Know the Blades are Dull?

If your grass is ragged and torn after mowing, or some areas of your lawn are slightly different heights, your blades might be dull. To verify their condition, check them for signs of damage like dents, chips or rough edges. Bent blades can also cause uneven cutting and need to be replaced. Bent blades can not be straightened. If the damage is extensive, opt for a replacement instead of sharpening, since that could degrade it further or cause more damage to the mower.

How Often Should The Blades Be Sharpened?

On average, they need sharpening after every 25 hours of use or more often depends on your lawn and soil conditions. Blades and the air lift tips can wear under normal conditions.

For example, mowing the lawn for an hour each time means your mower will require sharpening after about 20 sessions every year. More often if you have sandy soil conditions, which can wear on a blade causing it to become dull sooner. We recommend sharpening your blade during your yearly service. Replacement may be required if they are excessively worn or damaged.

To breathe life back into the old blades of a lawn mower, call First Quality Power Place in Middlefield, OH. Serving residents of the Tri-County Area since 1981, they offer and repair the latest lawn care tools and outdoor equipment, including chippers, chainsaws, trimmers, and tractors. Visit their website to view their latest products, or call (440) 632-5068 to schedule a service.