Can I leave my lawn mower outside in the rain?
James Olson
Updated on April 14, 2026
Lawnmowers technically can be left out in the rain, though it shouldn't become a regular habit. As long as they are left out in the rain without getting soaked, it should be fine. However, if moisture were to make its way into the spark plug or air filter, the mower could suffer some serious damage.
Does it hurt a lawn mower to get rained on?
A lawn mower will break in the rain if it's left outside for several months or years. Prolonged exposure to rain, sun, and snow can ruin the engine, spark plugs, blades, deck, and fuel lines. Dry the lawn mower with towels and store it inside. Check the fuel tank to ensure there's no water in it.Can lawn mowers be left outside?
You can store your mower outside in winter, but it isn't ideal. If you must store your lawn mower long-term in your yard, make sure it is elevated, so that it doesn't sit directly on the ground. This will allow air to circulate in order to keep it more dry.Are lawn mowers waterproof?
Unfortunately, lawn mowers are not waterproof. They do have some protective plastic covers in place, which will prevent the water from easily getting into the more sensitive parts of the engine, but they can't provide complete protection.What happens if your lawn mower gets wet?
Moisture in a lawnmower's carburetor, in its air intake ports or on its spark plug chamber prevents combustion, and the engine won't start. If the lawnmower was outside long enough, water may have contaminated its fuel and oil, and they will need to be replaced.Mower wont run after being left out in rain and getting wet how to fix not starting mow sideways
Can you hose off a lawn mower?
So can I hose off my lawnmower? Hosing off your mower is OK, but avoid spraying water on the engine and never use a pressure washer to clean your mower. Cleaning after every use is important, decaying grass will eat all your metal components.Is it better to mow before or after rain?
After the sun has passed its peak, most of the moisture in the blades of grass travels down to its roots, protecting the strength of the grass as you mow. Regardless of the time of day, the best time to cut grass after rain is after the grass has completely dried.Why you shouldn't mow your lawn every week?
Even if you're performing weekly mowing, if you're cutting the grass too short, it could still turn yellow from stress. When you mow too short, you also invite weeds into your lawn. Opportunistic weeds are much more likely to invade weakened lawns, than dense and thriving ones.How long to wait after it rains to mow?
How long should I wait to mow the grass after it rains? When dealing with mild morning dew or after light rain showers, you may only need to wait between 2 and 5 hours for the lawn to dry before mowing. With a heavier rainstorm, you should wait at least one day to mow safely.What time of day should you mow the lawn?
Mid-morning (between 8 and 10 a.m.) tends to be the best time of day for mowing your lawn. It allows enough time for dew to dry, resulting in strong, perky blades of grades, while avoiding the hottest periods of the day.How often should you clean your mower deck?
How Often Should You Clean the Mower Deck? Most manufactures recommend twice a year. Some suggest spring, fall, and two times during the season. I clean my mower deck every other mowing.Is it OK to tip a lawn mower on its side?
Well, when tipping a mower over, the main danger is that fuel and oil can leak, but with this method, there's virtually no chance of this. The oil will pool on the backside of the engine, nowhere near your carburetor, muffler, breather tube, valves, spark plug or piston.Should you wash a mower deck?
Yes, the Lawn Mower Deck Should Be CleanedKeeping the bottom deck clean also helps minimize the spread of lawn diseases.