Autumn is well on its way with bright, crisper mornings and
gusty breezes aiding the accumulation of fallen leaves. Along with the
fantastic display of colour, the Autumn brings the seasonal tasks of collecting
leaves and small garden debris. Your garden blower may not have seen much
action since the beginning of the year and may need cleaning and a check over before
blasting back into action.
Maintenance tips for blowers
We advise wearing the correct clothing when cleaning. A mask and safety glasses will protect from any dust and debris created through the cleaning process.
Be sure to check you blower manual and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and servicing.
Inspect the blower for any obvious damage such as cracks or splits in the casing, handles and nozzles. If there are any impairments that will affect the operation of the blower, we advise you get the blower looked over at a local dealer or service centre.
If you own a garden blower/Vacuum with a collection bag, check for any holes or damage. If the bag requires a clean, detach it from the blower and turn the bag inside out. If you can attach the bag to a washing line this will provide a base to clean and dry the bag. Use a garden hose and gently spray the bag loosening and removing any compacted debris. Allow the bag to air dry naturally before reattaching.
Electric or cordless blowers
Start by giving the blower a good wipe over with a cloth to remove any dust, cobwebs or muck that may have built up in storage. Take care to clean any vents around the fan. For stubborn dirt, a warm damp cloth can be used to clean ensuring that all excess water is removed from the cloth to stop water from getting into electrical components. We do not recommend using any harsh chemicals or cleaning solutions.
If you are using a cordless blower, the battery should be inspected for age-related problems such as fluid leaks. Charge the battery to check it is holding power. We advise storing lithium batteries indoors when not in use, as the cold and damp can reduce their product life.
With electric blowers, examine the power cord for damage and replace the cord if needed to avoid serious injury. Check the power switches are working and inspect the wiring for loose connections.
Hopefully after a wipe down and check over your blower will be good to blow!
Petrol Blowers
Clean the petrol blower with a damp (not wet) cloth making sure to include any air vents in the cleaning process, blocked vents can cause over-heating and in turn running problems. We do not recommend using any harsh chemicals or cleaning solutions.
If you haven’t serviced your petrol blower in Spring, it is worth booking it in for a service at your local dealer.
Hopefully your petrol engine hasn’t been stored with old fuel in the tank. We recommend adding a fuel stabliser/additive to any fresh fuel, it will keep your petrol fresh for up to three years. See our blog Why we recommend fuel additives. If the engine has been stored with petrol in the tank, there is a good chance it will experience running issues due to stale petrol in the fuel system.
If you are not confident with cleaning carburettors we recommend booking your blower into your local dealer for a carb clean. For effective and thorough results, in our workshop, we use an ultrasonic cleaner. There will be step-by-step online tutorials providing engine maintenance if you are mechanically minded. At mowers-online we sell engine parts for servicing such as air filters and spark plugs, you can check out our range here.
Inspect the recoil pull cord and any fuel pipes for damage, after a thorough check and no faults have been found, start the engine and check the engine is running smoothly. Fingers crossed with a clean and fresh fuel the blower will be ready for action!
For more expert advice on any of the products available, please call us on: 01452 616169 or email us at: [email protected]
Other resources:
TOP TOOLS FOR PREPPING YOUR GARDEN THIS SPRING
WHY WE RECOMMEND FUEL ADDITIVES
PUTTING AUTUMN LEAVES TO GOOD USE (MULCHING)