When it’s winter and you have an expensive lawnmower to store, you will regret not having a shed in the backyard. However, not every person has the space for it. You can use your garage as a storing unit for smaller gardening and landscaping equipment, but what about a land mower? Not only are they bulky, but they are also pretty expensive too.
So, the last thing you want to do is store this machinery somewhere it will damage. However, the problem of storing a lawn mover without a shed isn’t as complicated. You just need to find a way to work around the issue.
This article will walk you through the simple steps of where to store lawn mower without a shed and all the accessory information.
Where Should I Store My Lawn Mower?
Ideally, a shed is the safest place to store a lawnmower, especially in winter. However, if you don’t have a shed available, the next best choice would be to cover it with a plastic cover.
Even though lawnmowers feature a hardy construction, they aren’t meant to be left open outdoors with no cover. When looking for the ideal spot for storing your lawnmower, these are some highlights you need to consider:
1. Avoid direct sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight doesn’t damage the lawnmower. However, indeed, the UV rays can poorly affect the plastic components in the machine. This can lead to rusting and even damage in the long run.
2. Avoid rain
For optimal long-term usage, lawnmowers need to be kept in dry and cool areas. So, if you don’t have a garden shed, at least cover it with a waterproof liner. This will shield the machine from the rain and prevent damage. This is especially crucial for the electric mowers since they can accumulate water inside the parts and not switch on later.
3. Shield from freezing temperatures
Another factor worth noting when storing the lawnmower is the harsh winters. You are not going to mow your lawn in the winter. So, keeping it tucked away is a smart choice. Exposing the lawnmower to freezing temperatures will degrade the machine’s motor and the other functional parts.
How Do You Store a Lawn Mower Without a Shed?
To keep the lawnmower safe, one needs to be proactive with their action. Storage is hands down one of the most important factors for preserving the lawn mower’s functions in the long term.
So, if you want to know where to store the lawnmower without a shed, we have some great tips:
1. Cover with a Lawn Mower Cover
Lawnmower companies understand the importance of storage. They also know that having a shed is not accessible for everyone. So, the easiest alternative is to cover the machine with a cover. These covers are weatherproof and often heat resistant too.
The cover shields the lawnmower against harsh and changing weather conditions, especially during the rainy and winter seasons. So, if you were worried about the risks of rusting or delayed motor in the mower, the cover should take care of it.
Also, most brands come with their lawn mower covers. We’d recommend buying an option that’s designed specifically for your mower. This will ensure a snug fit and keep every inch of the machine protected.
2. Use the Trees
Trees aren’t just good for providing you with some shade but work similarly for the lawnmower too. This isn’t a foolproof method, but it is better than nothing.
The trees can shade the mower from the direct sunlight and even offer a level of protection against rain or snow. However, you will need to clean it every other day to eliminate fallen leaves, tree sap and other chemicals that accumulate on top.
3. Under the Porch
The porch often acts as an alternative shed. So, if your porch is large enough to accommodate a lawnmower, place it there. However, porches are indeed open, so there will be a risk of sunlight or rain falling on the machine.
Try to find protected spots on the porch and don’t come in direct contact with the external environmental factors directly. You can cover it up with a lawnmower cover for better protection.
4. Use your Garage
Although the last option, it is still a viable one. If your garage is large enough and has space to accommodate the lawnmower, stack it inside. This is the next best option after a garden shed.
Is It Dangerous to Leave a Lawn Mower Outside Without a Shed?
Although it might not be “dangerous” if you leave your lawnmower outside without a shed, it can be damaging for sure.
Most of the land mowers, electrical and gasoline, are made of metal parts with plastic elements. This means that exposure to direct sunlight, rainfall or snow will eventually damage the mower in the long run.
Given that they are so expensive, we’d recommend that you take some time out of the day to find an alternative solution for the storage instead of leaving it out.
In What Weather Can I Leave a Lawn Mower Outside?
When it comes to storing a land mower, the weather is the most important determinant. If you leave it out to rust or die in the open, you can expect it to not turn on the next time.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the weather conditions and the land mower storage.
1. Outside in the Sun
We’d not recommend leaving your lawnmower outside in the sun, especially under direct sunlight. Not only will it potentially overheat the mower’s body, but the UV rays also damage the motor in the mower.
Direct sunlight can also affect the plastic or metal parts in the machine. You might notice the plastic curling or losing its color over time.
Also, if you use a gasoline-powered land mower, avoid putting it in sunlight because it can lead to flammable accidents.
2. Outside in the Rain
Another big NO when storing a land mower is the rain. Rain is hands down the biggest concern with land mowers, for both the gasoline and electric ones.
The water seeps through the cracks into the oil tanks, preventing it from starting the next time you switch it on. Also, if you have electrical mowers, the accumulated water can cause short-circuits when you switch it on.
Also, some of the metal parts inside the land mower can start rusting due to the rain and the chemicals.
Also read: How to Remove Rust from Cast Iron Grill Grates
3. Outside in the Winter
The last and the most damaging season for the land mower is the winter. Since you won’t use a mower during this period, the users have to look for long-term storage solutions.
While keeping it outside might seem like a practical option, it isn’t. Direct contact with the snow can cause irreparable damage to the land mower, leading to it not starting again. The best tip for protection, in that case, would be to use a cover.
Is My Lawn Mower Going to Rust If I Leave It Outside?
Most lawnmowers, if not all, are made with a combination of metal and plastic parts. While the exterior has plastic parts, the interior of the mower is primarily all-metal, especially around the motor.
Brands understand rusting issues; hence many lawn mowers now come with powder coating on the metal parts. However, one still needs to be aware of the problems and consequences.
If you don’t have a shed and keep the mower outdoors, we’d recommend checking for damage or rusting on the outside. They are very prevalent, so you should be able to see them right away. Check the area around the cutting blades because they get damaged first.
We’d recommend covering the entire lawn mower, including the blades, with a tarp or weatherproof lawn mower cover. This will protect the metal parts from rusting.
For extra protection, slather an anti-corrosive liquid on the exposed metal parts in the mower to protect it in the long run.
Can You Store a Lawn Mower in The House?
To answer in short – YES.
You can store a lawnmower inside the house, but there are some downsides and risks.
We’d give the electric lawn mowers a safety pass, but the gasoline-powered lawn mowers aren’t your safest bet inside the house. Since there’s always a risk of leaks from the mowers, we’d recommend keeping them out or checking in every day for leaks and other complications.
So, empty the tank first when you are storing a lawnmower in your house. Cross-check that there’s no flammable liquid inside and then go ahead and place it in the basement of the house.
Is It Okay to Store Lawn Mower in Basement?
As we said, it is safe for you to store the lawnmower inside the basement. However, we’d recommend practicing the safety precautions as we mentioned.
- Empty the gas tank
- Clean the insides
- Keep it out of the vicinity of other flammable items
Is It Safe to Store Lawn Mower in Garage?
Although not completely out of the hook, we’d recommend that you not use your garage as a storage unit for the lawnmower. It can lead to tripping risks, emission of harmful fumes out of the machine and even risks of accidents, especially since you have a car in the close vicinity.
Where Should I Store My Lawn Mower If I Don’t Have a Garage?
If you don’t have any space in the garage for your lawnmower and there’s no garden shed, the ideal choice would be renting a storage unit. They are very easily accessible, cheap and make a safer space for your mower, especially during the harsh rainy and winter months of the year.
Wrapping Up
Lawnmowers are a quintessential landscaping tool, so it isn’t surprising that every home has one. However, since they are heavy and bulky, storing them without a shed can be complicated. This article goes into detail about where to store a lawn mower without a shed. We’d always recommend choosing the option that best suits your interests and availability.
