Few pieces of home equipment take a beating like the lawn mower, yet it's often neglected until it won't start or something breaks. Here's how to keep it buzzing.
Read the owner's manual: "It tells you how the maker of your mower wants you to take care of it," says Chris Arvin, owner of Mow Better in Greenfield, Ind. "It's in their best interest to keep you, the customer, happy with their product so when it finally wears out in 10 to 15 years, you'll buy another."
Drain gas at season's end: Lawn-mower repair technicians say old gasoline is one of the main suspects when a mower won't start.
Check the oil: Monitor the oil level, and look for floating debris or oil that looks dark black. Old or contaminated oil should be drained and replaced. Consult your manual for the correct method and type of oil to use.
Clean out the undercarriage: Grass caked in the undercarriage can clog a mower's discharge chute. Use a wire brush to scrape away grass clippings and dirt, and spray the remaining debris away with a hose. Always disconnect the spark plug first.
Inspect the air filter: A clogged or dirty filter stresses the mower and burns gas less efficiently. Most pros recommend an annual replacement.
Change the spark plug annually: Unhook the spark plug wire and remove the old plug with a socket or spark plug wrench. Install the new plug but don't overtighten it or it could prevent the mower from starting.
Sharpen the blade: A dull blade rips and tears grass instead of providing a clean cut. A mower repair shop can sharpen your blade for a small fee, and it's usually included with mower tune-up.
Get a professional tune-up: A mower repair shop will drain the old gas from the mower, replace the air filter and spark plug and perform basic diagnostic tests.
Mike LaFollette is a reporter for Angie's List.
