Leaf blowers are the bad boys of the landscape trade. They’re loud (as much as 80 decibels and higher), and the gas-powered ones pollute the air.
The Associated Press reports that leaf blowers can startle birds and injure or kill pollinators and insects. Their powerful (up to 200 mph) blasts of air blow away mulch, cause erosion and disrupt ecosystems.
But, boy, are leaf blowers handy. Their usefulness goes far beyond merely gathering leaves into piles. Besides, it’s possible to get quieter, non-gas-powered models.
Once you’ve read some of these life hacks, you might want to buy a leaf blower, too.
1. Blasting powdery snow
A leaf blower can’t take care of a foot of heavy, wet snow. But it should be enough to vanquish the powdery stuff, especially if it’s just a light dusting on the driveway, entry stairs or deck, Consumer Reports says.
2. Clearing out rain gutters
Drainage problems caused by clogged rain gutters can cause serious structural damage to your home. Blocked gutters filled with water can also weaken and collapse.
This Old House reports that replacement can potentially cost thousands of dollars, so a smart homeowner will keep the system clean.
You can hire someone to do it. Or you can buy an extension or do it yourself with a cleaning kit that snaps onto your leaf blower.
Oh, and if you’re obsessed with appearances, you can buff the outside of the gutters with a paste made of water and cream of tartar.
3. Cleaning shop-vac filters
A wet/dry vacuum, aka a shop vac, is a wonderfully versatile piece of equipment. Every now and then you need either to clean or replace the vac’s filters — which can be a dusty job.
But there can be an easier way. Use one foot to hold the filter down and blow out the dust with your leaf blower.
Since replacement filters cost around $15 or more, cleaning and re-using them can be budget-friendly.
4. Drying patio furniture
A brief summer squall hits 45 minutes before your backyard barbecue. Don’t make your guests sit on damp deck chairs!
Instead, Landscaping Planet suggests blasting away the dampness with a leaf blower, the way you’d use a hairdryer after taking a shower.
5. Getting rid of puddles
Are those summer rains leaving puddles on your wood deck? Clear them off pronto, advises Consumer Reports. Even treated lumber can absorb standing moisture, which affects both the wood and deck’s finish.
It shouldn’t take long to blow accumulated water off the deck. But don’t stop there. Run the blower on both the horizontal and vertical areas of the stairs, railings and deck skirt, since these areas are prone to mildew.
6. Clearing eave vents
Eave vents (aka soffit vents) let air flow into your home’s attic space. That flow mixes with attic air and moves out through roof or ridge vents, keeping the attic cooler in the summer and pushing out moisture during the winter.
Cobwebs and dust can build up in the eave vents, restricting airflow. ABC Roofing says that you can use a leaf blower to remove blockages.
The Family Handyman recommends checking and cleaning eave vents annually. Here’s why it’s a vital home maintenance chore:
- Reduced moisture helps prevent mildew and rot.
- A cooler roof in the summer extends shingle life.
- Steady airflow in winter helps prevent ice dams in winter and reduces home cooling costs in the summer.
7. Drying off your car
The car wash has giant blowers that dry off your car to prevent water spots. A leaf blower is just a smaller (and unheated) version of a car-wash blower, right?
According to DriveDetailed.com, it’s possible to dry your car off safely with a leaf blower — as long as you observe these precautions:
- The leaf blower must have an air filter.
- Choose a model with adjustable speed settings. Start at the low end, especially around delicate spots such as emblems or mirrors.
- Direct the air up and away from the vehicle’s surface.
- Don’t try this unless you’re comfortable controlling the unit; otherwise, you might kick up ground debris toward the car.
8. Cleaning your mower deck
Your mower can collect a lot of debris, dirt and grass clippings. And if you don’t keep it clean, the blades and engine can become rusted or corroded.
A leaf blower can help you keep your mower in good shape by removing some of the debris from the deck, according to Tanner’s Lawn and Snow Equipment. After you use a brush to loosen stuck-on grass and dirt, use the blower to send the remaining debris flying.
Be proactive and blow your mower’s deck clear after each use.
9. Finding leaks
Does your kid’s wading pool deflate? How about the raft in the grownup pool? Or maybe overnight guests complain about the slowly sinking air mattress.
According to A-Z Lawnmower Parts, you can find and patch the leaks with help from a leaf blower. First, coat the deflated item with soapy water. Next, blow air into it. The pressure will cause air to move through any holes, producing small bubbles.
10. ‘Vacuuming’ your car
Dirt, leaves, old french fries (thanks, kids!) in the car. Mud and grass in the trunk from the mower and trimmer used in your landscaping side hustle. Dog hair — so much dog hair.
You could head for the car wash and spend up to $8 using the self-service vacuum (or more, depending on how many kids and dogs you have). Or you could do what Southern States Milford, a farm equipment and tractor service company in Milford, Delaware, says, and fire up the leaf blower.
“[U]se your leaf blower to remove all the dirt from the dash, floors, rugs, and trunk,” the site explains, and you’ll have clean car in no time.
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