Illustration for article titled Why You Shouldn't Mow A Wet LawnPhoto: Gabe Smith (Shutterstock)

Living in a place with enough grass to be considered “lawn” has its advantages, but it also means the lawn must be mowed. Considering that your chores are difficult enough to do, finding the time to cut your grass can be difficult. And sometimes your window to mow the lawn in is right after the rain. Is it okay to mow or should you wait for the yard to dry out? According to home improvement legend Bob VilaMowing a wet lawn is not a good idea. Here’s why.

Illustration for article titled Why You Shouldn't Mow A Wet Lawn

Shock hazard

If you happen to have an electric lawn mower – especially one that uses an extension cord – cutting wet grass can result in an electric shock. “Exposure to moisture (and any cables under worn or damaged parts of the cable) will damage the machine and electrocute the operator.” Vila writes on BobVila.com.

It’s easy to slide and fall

If you push a mower across a smooth lawn with enough force, it is possible, according to Vila, that you “slide and fall too close to the mower’s blades”. No thanks.

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It can damage your lawn mower

“Without the right fuel stabilizer, fuel left in the mower’s gas tank can become contaminated with excessive moisture and even attack your machine,” explains Vila. “Cuttings can also affect the mower’s work by sticking to equipment in clumps that block the vacuum or the blade itself.” Either way, these clogs make your mower tougher, which can cause it to shut down in the middle of the mowing .

Illustration for article titled Why You Shouldn't Mow A Wet Lawn

A wet lawn is difficult to mow

When the grass is wet it is slippery and difficult to cut, resulting in a lawn made up of grass of different lengths. “If your mower’s blades are not in tip condition, resharpened or replaced, it can take two or three passes over the same wet lawn to get a fraction of the cut you would get if the lawn were to be would be dry. Says Vila.

Or, you can skip all of these and replace your lawn with one of those alternatives.