Homeowner Tips

Jackson Middleton • October 11, 2017

It’s fall, and that means it’s time to get outside and rake the falling leaves. Below is a list of tips compiled by Popular Mechanics to help get the job done.

PATIENCE

Clear your pathways and high-traffic areas of leaves on an ongoing basis, but don’t bother raking your whole yard until all the leaves are down.

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS

That rusty metal fan rake in your shed might seem like an old friend, but perhaps its useful days are over. There are also rake alternatives, including push-power leaf collectors that help take some of the backache out of raking.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Speaking of backache, be sure to practice proper raking technique before, during, and after your work. Raking is a real workout, and you need to warm up your body by stretching before you start.While you’re raking, be sure to keep a good posture and stand upright. Switch your main (bottom) hand on a regular basis, and always bend at the knees (not the back) when you stoop to pick up a pile.

WORK SMART

This is the key to efficient raking. Rake your leaves into small piles on top of a tarp or a piece of plastic, then drag that pile to your main pile or compost.

RAKE WHEN IT’S DRY

This one is simple but important. Wet leaves are heavier than dry ones, so try to do your raking during a dry stretch of weather.


This article was originally published in the October 2017 Dominion Lending Centres newsletter.

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