From Wet Leaves to Clogged Gutters: Why a Blower Is Your Fall MVP

Ahhh, autumn in the Pacific Northwest — time for cooler temps, firepits, and pumpkin spice everything: not to mention soggy conditions, falling leaves, pine needles, and storm debris. 

Let’s face it, fall brings a seemingly never-ending list of yard maintenance projects. From clogged gutters and slippery driveways to wet piles of tree litter, owning a home creates a lengthy to-do list. 

Fortunately, you likely have a mighty weapon in your arsenal – your trusty blower can tackle so much more than piles of leaves. This tool’s power and versatility make it a life saver when it comes to property maintenance.

Let’s take a look at how to use your blower to save time, protect your property, and keep fall cleanup simple.

Wet Leaves

It’s no secret that rainfall keeps our area green and lush, but this time of year, it also translates into heavy mats of fallen leaves that are hard to move, slippery to walk on, and deadly to grass. You need a solution that saves your back from hours of tedious raking. A STIHL backpack leaf blower is just the thing.

The STIHL BR 800 brings the power to make struggling to rake heavy leaf piles a thing of the past. With a fuel-efficient 79.9 cc engine and lower exhaust emissions, this backpack blower makes quick work of heavy, wet leaves. It’s also comfortable thanks to an adjustable harness and an anti-vibration system, and it’s relatively quiet when compared to other backpack blowers.

We like the easy-pull start and the cruise control option, which means you don’t have to hold the throttle trigger down for longer jobs. The BR 800 requires minimal maintenance (basically fueling properly, cleaning the air filter and changing the spark plug). You may notice the pull isn’t as smooth once you’ve used it around 125 -150 hours — bring it in to Carl’s and we’ll do a valve adjustment for you. With proper care, this machine should give you over 1,000 hours of use.

Speaking of care, always practice safety first. Before tackling any project that involves outdoor power tools, wear ear protection and eye gear. (Safety squints don’t count!)

Tips for blowing wet leaves:

• Don’t wait until the trees are bare. As the leaves start to fall, work on your yard every 1-2 weeks so you are managing smaller amounts.
• Divide your yard into sections rather than trying to get all the leaves into one, wet, heavy pile.
• Keep the tip of the leaf blower pointed down and use a shallow angle to move the leaves forward, not up.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters are a common and costly problem that can cause damage both inside and outside your home. The additional water weight can ruin the gutters themselves, and clogged gutters can cause damage to your roof, siding, foundation, ceilings, and walls. 

Beat the problem to the punch by using a blower gutter kit. Adding this extension to your handheld leaf blower means you can hit the gutters from above to clear them of leaves and debris, without being on the roof itself. STIHL’s gutter kit can extend up to more than 10’, which means it can reach most residential roofs. Once the gutters are cleared, use your leaf blower to clean up what’s fallen to the ground.

Tips for clogged gutters:

• If possible, clear your gutters after a few dry days. It’s a whole lot easier to work with debris that isn’t soaking wet.
• After cleaning the runs, flush the downspout with your garden hose to get rid of anything stuck inside. You may need a plumber’s snake to clear tightly compacted debris.
• Prevent future issues by adding gutter guards. Reinforce your gutter seams with brackets to eliminate any sagging, a major contributor to clogged gutters.

Storm Debris 

We’ve all seen the aftermath of a storm: downed branches, twigs, pine cones, and needles can make your yard look like a parking lot post-tailgate. Instead of raking or sweeping up the debris, let your trusty handheld leaf blower make short work of the mess.

A compact handheld blower like the STIHL BG 56 is a powerful tool for homeowners. Its Easy2Start™ feature is a spring-assisted system for super simple starts. The on/off switch and the auto choke lever use an auto return-to-run design for convenience, and a built-in bottom handle helps reduce arm fatigue for longer run times.

Other handy tasks for your handheld blower:

• Clear the garage floor. 
• Dry your freshly washed car.
• Blast away light, fluffy snow.

Leaf Piles = Lawn Killers

Despite the appeal of jumping into thick piles of leaves as kids, there’s not much that’s good about a huge mound of leaves on the ground. These piles can suffocate your grass, encourage moss or mold to develop, and attract insects like ticks and fleas. Once you’ve collected your leaves into piles, don’t wait to deal with them.

With the right attachment, you can turn your leaf blower into a mulching machine, which has several benefits for your landscape! 

Ways to use shredded leaves:

• Spread them on the ground to add nutrients to the soil as we head into winter.
• Add them as mulch to your garden beds for some cold weather protection. 
• Work them into your compost bin and add them to your soil next year.

Noise Restrictions & Neighbor Etiquette

Outdoor power tools can be noisy at times, which can be an issue for some neighborhoods or HOAs. How can you manage your property care while being courteous of your neighbors (and without waking your napping family member)?

Battery blowers.

These suburban-friendly options may be lightweight, but don’t be fooled—they’re powerful enough to get the job done. The STIHL BGA 60 provides 65 percent more blowing force than its predecessor, with an AK 30 battery for the run time and performance you need. This design features a brushless motor, making it ideal for low-noise environments, and STIHL has designed a blower tube with adjustable length and a variable throttle to manage a range of tasks.

And because they don’t need fuel, these cordless options also offer the convenience of simply switching out a battery when a break is required. Forget about running to the gas station to fill up a gas can or worrying about gas/oil mixtures – just pop in a freshly charged battery and you’re back on the job in no time.

Branching Out

The to-do list this time of year can be daunting, but there’s still a way to get it done and still  enjoy fall fun, all thanks to a handy, dandy blower.

From heavy, wet leaves to clogged gutters and storm debris, a reliable blower is truly the MVP of fall cleanup in the PNW. With the right model and a little regular maintenance, it’s a tool you’ll count on all year long. Not sure which blower is best for your property? Stop by Carl’s Mower & Saw and we’ll help you find the perfect fit.

About

Established in 1990 by Carl and Beth Levien, Carl’s Mower & Saw remains a family-owned and locally operated business to this day. We’re committed to providing an exceptional customer experience to both contractors and homeowners. Whether you’re looking for sales, service or rentals, you’ll find quality outdoor power equipment brands known for their durability and dependability, including Exmark, Gravely, Honda, Husqvarna, STIHL, and BCS America. For inquiries, feel free to reach out by calling 360-384-0799 or emailing info@carlsmower.com.