Top power tools for use outside the home

In this week’s episode of Home Matters, Pete and Rob discuss best power tools for use outside the home.

Here are a few of the top tools the guys from Home Matters recommend:

Lawn mower: Take into consideration the size of a job to get done. For a smaller lawn, for half an acre to an eighth of an acre, a push mower will probably do. If your lawn is any larger, you may want a ride on mower.

Pete recommends a rotary mower. “They’re more expensive but if you really want a nice cut in your lawn, that’s what I’d recommend.”

Lawn Edgers: If you want the cleanest lawn edge and cleanest cut, Pete and Rob recommend a gasoline lawn edger.

“These things look like a lawn mower up on its side,” says Rob.

For best results keep blades on lawn mowers and lawn edgers in good, sharp condition.

Pete and Rob recommend finding a pro saw sharpener or lawn mower service. These professionals will sharpen blades for you. They do not recommend trying to sharpen blades yourself.

Weed whackers: Weed whackers are useful for removing weeds around trees and the foundation of your home easily and quickly.

Trimmers: Electric trimmers and gas trimmers allow you to quickly get through trimming all of your shrubs and bushes. If you want to do shaping, geometric patterns, trimmers are the easiest ways to achieve those looks.

Chainsaw: “The most efficient tool every made,” says Rob. “It gets the job done real quick.”

You can use them for cutting logs, limbs, and trees around your property.

Rob recommends buying Kevlar chainsaw chaps to protect yourself from the blade.

“It cuts through limbs and trees like butter, it will cut through you just as quick,” says Rob.

Pressure Washer: Pressure washers are useful on cement sidewalks in getting rid of moss and algae growth. But keep them away from your car, house and self.

Blower: Pete and Rob say blowers are great for cleaning up leaves around your property.

Tiller: If you’re doing a lot of tilling, Pete and Rob recommend a gas tiller. There are electric ones out there, but they tend to bounce around, which is exactly what you don’t want them to do. A good tiller should run nice and smooth.

With any power tool, use proper safety equipment – Goggles, proper shoes, pants. Keep safe while you’re using your power tools!