NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Fall arrives this weekend which means it won't be long before you're probably going to start your fall clean up in your yard, right?
Using the right tool can make a back-breaking job much easier and faster. Consumer Reports tests dozens of these tools every year, so you don’t “fall” for the ones that fail.
As summer winds down, homeowner Alex Joyce prepares for fall…
“We’ve got three acres, lots of trees, lots of leaves, fall is challenging,” said homeowner Alex Joyce.
His tool of choice? A leaf blower!
After hours of rigorous testing, Consumer Reports’ experts know all about what makes a good leaf blower. Testers weigh and strategically pile leaves into a designated area. Then, a timer is set to see how long each blower takes to clear the pile.
Consumer Reports says it’s also important to consider how much each weighs and whether it is comfortable to use, especially if you have a larger yard.
“The heaviest models in our ratings can weigh nearly twice as much as the lightest ones, and that can make a big difference even after just a few minutes,” said Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope.
At under 7 pounds, this battery-powered Skil is relatively lightweight and costs nearly half the price of some other recommended leaf blowers.
A chainsaw can be a handy tool if you’ve got bigger branches or even tree limbs to tackle.
Consumer Reports times how fast each chainsaw cuts through a ten-inch square oak beam. As you can see, some saws are faster than others! But fast isn’t great if it’s not safe.
“We test chainsaws for a number of safety features, for things like kickback when cutting but we also just look for some really basic things like whether it comes with a cover for the blade,” said Hope.
Consumer Reports says you can cut fast and safely with this battery-powered Senix.
Pressure washers can make light work of heavy-duty cleaning. But if you don't use them correctly, you risk damaging paint, wood, stone, and even yourself. That’s especially true when it comes to the narrowest nozzle.
“We think zero-degree nozzles pose an unnecessary risk which is why we say if you buy a pressure washer that comes with one, just toss it out,” Hope added.
And while you might be tempted to give your dirty, mossy roof a pressure wash, Consumer Reports says don’t do it. It’s too dangerous for both you and your roof.
Instead, spray the roof down with a mix that's half bleach half water and let any moss die on its own
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at jennifer.kraus@newschannel5.com.
I LOVE Forrest's stories on the history of NewsChannel 5 as we celebrate our 70th anniversary. Here's a story I wasn't familiar with until recently. Eudora Boxley had a live cooking show in the early days of the station. She may have been the first black on air at NewsChannel 5 and perhaps, one of the first African Americans to have a TV cooking show anywhere in the country. It wasn't until her grandson reached out to me that I even heard of Ms. Boxley. Thankfully, I was able to connect him with Forest to learn more about this great nugget in NewsChannel 5 history.
-Lelan Statom
