Some of our local trees are loosing leaves, this is due to the large infestation of aphids the city has seen this summer. It may seem like fall on some days, nevertheless we have seen temperatures as high as 30 C. As we still have a few months left for the grass-cutting season, this article deals with items you have around your home that help to cut grass. Did you realize grass-cutting lawn mowers can come in many different forms and are powered in many different ways?

The lawn mower that requires the least amount off maintenance is a push mower- if you have a small lawn to look after. Other types range from a battery operated cordless mower, an electric powered mower with an extension cord or a gasoline powered mower operating on a two stroke or a four-stroke engine. I own and use an electric mower with a long extension cord. In fact, I have never cut my electrical cord, due to the fact that I have worked out a method to cut the grass where I never have to cut over my extension cord.

If you do have an electric mower, be sure you have the extension cord plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter duplex plug (GFCI). Some homes have re-set buttons at the duplex plug or at another outside plug. Other older homes built in the mid eighties have a ground fault breaker. If you should have a ground fault breaker the cost of installation was greater than the cost of a ground fault plug. The cost of ground fault plugs has risen in recent years and now costs approx. $18 at most retail stores. Ground fault devices detect open grounds and will automatically shut down immediately and prevent you from being electrocuted and eliminate a shocking experience.

I have never had great luck with anything that has a pull cord. I have had electric push button starts on some of the machines I have owned and get very frustrated when the machines do not start after the first pull or push on the starter. In most cases it has been my own fault, because I had not followed a few basic rules.

You should look at the blades of any of the machines you use. As most blades are based on a fast turning action, make sure your machine cannot be turned on when you remove the blade. Always sharpen the blade. If necessary, take the blade to a local hardware store where they can properly sharpen it for a few dollars. Never attempt to check the blade unless the lawn mower is totally shut down. Also consider wearing some safety equipment as stones and other debris can be thrown from the rotation of the blade and in some cases toss items from the machine damaging nearby items including glass on basement windows.

If you use a gasoline-powered mower, make sure the gasoline you use is fresh. Buying a large container of gasoline is not prudent as the gasoline ages in storage. The ideal size of a container depends on the number of times a month you plan to cut the lawn and the size of the lawn. Store gasoline for a minimal time. It is illegal to sell gasoline in certain quantities in anything but in approved proper containers. ULC or CSA are the standards that should be on the approved containers used.

Make sure you have a clean filter on the air intake as this allows for suitable air intake to assist in the combustion process. All gasoline products require an air / gasoline proper mixing ratio.

If you use a two stroke engine, ensure you are using the specified oil / gasoline mixture specified by the manufacturer (approx. one part oil to 40 parts gasoline). If your mover smokes badly then you should adjust the oil to gasoline ratio.

For gasoline operated lawn mowers make sure the spark plug is the proper type recommended by the manufacturer and the spark plug is clean and properly gapped.

Some lawn mowers have a primer, which lets raw gas enter the combustion chamber prior to starting. Do not over prime this device. Two to three pushes on this should be sufficient for most brands of mowers.

Pull cords should start with a maximum of three or four pulls. If the lawn mover does not start then review some of the items I have mentioned in this article.

If you are in the market for a new mower, it might be a good idea to buy a machine that mulches the grass as it is cut. A mulching machine reduces the amount of garbage.

If you are using a battery lawn mower, make sure your children cannot turn the machine on. I was in a hardware store several years ago and was shocked the blade was still in the demonstration machine. I advised the staff and hopefully the blade was removed before any injury happened.

Using an electric cord mower requires a bit of skill, as one must be careful and not cut the cord. Consequently, make sure you follow a pattern so the blade never crosses the cord.

Never attempt to cut your grass when it is wet as the clippings will plug the chute into the bag or plug the housing of the area where the blades are located. Also it is prudent to not cut the grass too short; longer grass holds moisture and actually controls the development and growth of weeds.

-The opinions and ideas expressed are solely those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Calgary Real Estate News. Paul Tobolski RHI, DIPL. A.A. & T. (Architectural Technology) is the owner of Ability Home Inspections and can be reached at 519-6038 or 286-HOME(4663). Paul has nearly 40 years of experience in the areas of design, construction, maintenance and inspection of homes. He has been a member of CAHPI (Ab.) since 1993 and is the past president of CAHPI (Ab.).