As the days get shorter and a chill begins to fill the air, summer comes to an end and fall begins. Though the brightly pigmented foliage is one of the best parts of autumn, the subsequent task of dealing with the falling leaves isn’t quite as enjoyable. An often time-consuming task, managing fallen leaves can be a big job, especially for homeowners with a lot of trees on their property.
Unfortunately, avoiding to take care of the fallen debris will create more of a detriment than a convenience. If left unmanaged, fallen leaves can threaten the health of your lawn by preventing sunlight, nutrients, water and air from reaching the root system. Thick layers of leaves can lead to flooding, fungus, weeds and lawn-destroying pests.
When it comes to lawn care, having the right tools makes a big difference. If you live in an area with a lot of trees, investing in a good rake, leaf blower and a leaf mulcher can help streamline the process of wrangling dead leaves. K-Factor Advocates has compiled a few ideas for managing fallen leaves in your yard.
CHOOSING A RAKE
A lightweight rake with a long handle will prevent you from having to constantly stoop over, wearing you out faster and potentially hurting your back. Adjustable leaf rakes are a good option for a more versatile tool, with an adjustable head that is able to reach tighter spaces and expand to accommodate large raking tasks.
USING A LEAF BLOWER
A leaf blower can save large amounts of time spent raking leaves from your yard and is also helpful in clearing patios, driveways and sidewalks of debris. It also provides a no-contact way of clearing your yard of debris, which in turn is much gentler to your grass than a rake.
MULCH YOUR LEAVES
Mulching the leaves in your yard through the use of a mulching mower or a lawnmower on its highest setting is not only easier than raking and bagging them, but can benefit your lawn as well. By mulching the leaves into tiny bits, they’ll settle into the soil, decompose and offer a food source to microorganisms and earthworms living in the ground. Increased microbial activity in the soil leads to a more balanced environment and improves the soil’s overall health, which can combat weeds and other lawn issues.
KEEP YOUR ROOF AND GUTTERS CLEAR
Make sure you clear up any leaf buildup from your roof and gutters. Leaves and other debris can clog up the downspout, leaving standing water to collect on your rooftop and eventually overflow. This can result in a leaky roof and a subsequent roof damage insurance claim. Left unaddressed, a roof leak can quickly lead to mold damage as well.
ABOUT OUR TEAM
If you need to file a mold damage insurance claim or a roof damage insurance claim in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or northern Wisconsin, K-Factor Advocates has a skilled team of professionals that specialize in insurance claim negotiation, policy language and interpretation, and claims estimating. The K-Factor team has helped hundreds of clients navigate the challenges of the claims process, securing fair settlements in order to restore their damaged property.