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Lawn Care Tips
Recommended Mowing Heights
Mowing height is probably the most important factor of mowing. In general, a lawn mowed too short will
have a shallow root system. The impact of shallow root systems is most apparent during summer stress
periods. When soil moisture becomes limiting, the closely mowed lawns usually exhibit stress first. Higher
mowing heights during the summer period will keep soil temperatures cooler, preserve soil moisture and
help maintain quality of your lawn.
A general rule of thumb is one-third of a blade of grass. You should never remove more than one-third of
a blade of grass at one time, except for the first time you mow in a season. For instance, if your grass is 3
inches tall, never mow more than 1 inch off at once. If you mow more than one-third of a blade at a time,
the root growth slows and the whole plant is shocked until some of the leaves recover and begin growing
again.
Mowing Frequency
The lawn should be mowed frequently enough so that no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade length is
removed during one mowing. If extended wet periods prevent timely mowing and grass gets excessively
tall, move the mower height adjustment to the highest setting and mow the lawn. Once the clippings dry,
lower the height adjustment to the desired height and then mow the lawn a second time in a different
direction. This approach is termed "Double Cutting."
Mowing Directions
The direction of mowing should be altered every one to two mowings. Mowing at right angles (90 degrees)
to the previous direction will help prevent the grass from repeatedly being pushed in one direction and
laying over, an important consideration at high mowing heights.
Mow When Dry
Mow when it is dry. Wet grass is more difficult to cut and has the tendency to clog under rotary mowers.
Mowing should not, however, be delayed for long periods of time because the grass is wet.
Fall Mowing
During the Fall, mowing should continue as long as the grass is actively growing. A lower mowing height
going into the Winter is important if the lawn is in a region susceptible to outbreaks of winter diseases.
Home Maintenance
Water heater tips
Insulation Tips
Although building materials slow the movement of heat through walls, ceilings, and floors, insulation
products provide an effective barrier that slows down heat transfer.
The effectiveness of insulation is rated by R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the material's
ability to insulate.
New homes are required to have minimum amounts of insulation, but homes built more than about 20
years ago may have little or none. How can you tell whether or not your walls, ceilings, and floors already
contain enough insulation?
You can explore the attic, go under the floor, and look next to an uncovered electrical outlet with a
flashlight and measuring tape to look for insulation and measure its thickness. Remember to take proper
safety precautions when doing this.
If all of this sounds like more work than you want to take on, call Men4Rent for help.
You can pinpoint appropriate amounts of insulation for homes in your area by visiting to the U.S.
Department of Energy’s website, www.energy.gov, and entering your zip code.
It’s also smart to make sure that doors and windows are properly weatherstripped to cut down on air
penetration and heat loss. Men4Rent would be glad to help you with all of your insulation needs.
Gutters and Downspouts
It's important to maintain clear, effective gutters and drainage systems to avoid cascades of water and
flooding. But to keep this important equipment working well, you must be vigilant. You can't wait for the
next storm to point out clogs, sags, and leaks.
Child Proofing Your Home
Small children seem to have an appetite for exploring, but with little or no understanding of danger.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure your children's safety:
Recommended Mowing Heights
Mowing height is probably the most important factor of mowing. In general, a lawn mowed too short will
have a shallow root system. The impact of shallow root systems is most apparent during summer stress
periods. When soil moisture becomes limiting, the closely mowed lawns usually exhibit stress first. Higher
mowing heights during the summer period will keep soil temperatures cooler, preserve soil moisture and
help maintain quality of your lawn.
A general rule of thumb is one-third of a blade of grass. You should never remove more than one-third of
a blade of grass at one time, except for the first time you mow in a season. For instance, if your grass is 3
inches tall, never mow more than 1 inch off at once. If you mow more than one-third of a blade at a time,
the root growth slows and the whole plant is shocked until some of the leaves recover and begin growing
again.
Mowing Frequency
The lawn should be mowed frequently enough so that no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade length is
removed during one mowing. If extended wet periods prevent timely mowing and grass gets excessively
tall, move the mower height adjustment to the highest setting and mow the lawn. Once the clippings dry,
lower the height adjustment to the desired height and then mow the lawn a second time in a different
direction. This approach is termed "Double Cutting."
Mowing Directions
The direction of mowing should be altered every one to two mowings. Mowing at right angles (90 degrees)
to the previous direction will help prevent the grass from repeatedly being pushed in one direction and
laying over, an important consideration at high mowing heights.
Mow When Dry
Mow when it is dry. Wet grass is more difficult to cut and has the tendency to clog under rotary mowers.
Mowing should not, however, be delayed for long periods of time because the grass is wet.
Fall Mowing
During the Fall, mowing should continue as long as the grass is actively growing. A lower mowing height
going into the Winter is important if the lawn is in a region susceptible to outbreaks of winter diseases.
Home Maintenance
Water heater tips
- Set the temperature control to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower if you have no dishwasher or
if you have small children or elderly people in the home who might scald themselves. - To maximize your water-heating energy, insulate your water pipes if they run a long way from your
heater to your faucets. Also consider installing a point-of-use water heater. - Always shut off the power to an electric water heater before working on it.
- Do not work on an electric water heater if there is standing water pooled on the floor near the
appliance. - If you smell gas near the water heater, shut off the pilot light, close the gas shutoff valve, and call
your gas utility for assistance.
Insulation Tips
Although building materials slow the movement of heat through walls, ceilings, and floors, insulation
products provide an effective barrier that slows down heat transfer.
The effectiveness of insulation is rated by R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the material's
ability to insulate.
New homes are required to have minimum amounts of insulation, but homes built more than about 20
years ago may have little or none. How can you tell whether or not your walls, ceilings, and floors already
contain enough insulation?
You can explore the attic, go under the floor, and look next to an uncovered electrical outlet with a
flashlight and measuring tape to look for insulation and measure its thickness. Remember to take proper
safety precautions when doing this.
If all of this sounds like more work than you want to take on, call Men4Rent for help.
You can pinpoint appropriate amounts of insulation for homes in your area by visiting to the U.S.
Department of Energy’s website, www.energy.gov, and entering your zip code.
It’s also smart to make sure that doors and windows are properly weatherstripped to cut down on air
penetration and heat loss. Men4Rent would be glad to help you with all of your insulation needs.
Gutters and Downspouts
It's important to maintain clear, effective gutters and drainage systems to avoid cascades of water and
flooding. But to keep this important equipment working well, you must be vigilant. You can't wait for the
next storm to point out clogs, sags, and leaks.
Child Proofing Your Home
Small children seem to have an appetite for exploring, but with little or no understanding of danger.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure your children's safety:
- Lock up all poisons and dangerous objects.
- Turn down your water temperature to a maximum of 120 degrees.
- Put sleeves on doorknobs.
- Install a smoke and carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your house, adjacent to bedrooms,
in any stairwell, and in living/dining area. - Place plastic outlet plugs on unused outlets to guard children from accidental shock.
- Put childproof latches on cabinet doors and drawers-- particularly those containing dangerous or
fragile objects. - Install baby gates at doorways where needed, and at top and bottom of stairways.
- Pad sharp furniture and sharp edges with foam.
- Enclose open deck railings with welded wire mesh.
- Fence-in swimming pools and other dangerous areas. Be sure to provide a self-closing, self-
latching gate. - Check outdoor play equipment. Cut off protruding bolts, tighten loose nuts, put non-slip coating on
slippery slide steps, replace hard swing seats with soft material, provide soft ground cover, anchor
support legs. - Secure curtain cords to tie-down or cleat on wall.
- Install door or window safety locks or hardware (older children must be able to open).
