Can Weed Eaters Get Wet?

Did you accidentally leave your weed eater out in the rain? If so you are not alone, and a lot of people wonder, what will happen if it rains while you are using a weed eater or string trimmer? Will it cause damage or not? In this article you will get the answers and clarify some facts about the effect of rain and moisture on outdoor equipment.

You can use a gas or battery powered weed eater in light rain, but too much moisture must be avoided. Allow your weed eater to dry after use and it should be fine. For safety reasons, never use an electric weed eater in the rain.

In this post we will cover the following areas:

• The effect of rainwater and moisture on weed eaters
• How to protect it from rust and corrosion
• The truth about using weed eaters on wet grass
• What to do if the equipment won’t run after being rained on

What Will Happen if a Weed Eater Gets Wet?

Gas string trimmers can deal with a bit of rain. If there is a sudden downpour while you are trimming weeds, the machine will be fine. But too much moisture and water can damage the engine.

If you are looking for a gas string trimmer, we suggest the LawnMaster 26cc. It is easy to use and trims weeds efficiently. It is also solidly built and can withstand light rain and some moisture.

The most appropriate time to use a string trimmer is during a sunny day. You can continue even if there is light rain, but stop if it turns into a heavy downpour.

If the rain is continuous, bring your string trimmer in the garage and wipe it dry. When the rain stops you can resume.

Can you use electric string trimmers in the rain? No, because water and electricity are a dangerous combination. In fact, do not use any corded electrical tool in the rain.

If there is no rain but moisture is prevalent, you can use an electrical string trimmer. But make sure the cord is moisture proof and the cord never touches a wet surface. The power outlet must also be suitable for this type of condition.

Battery string trimmers work fine in a bit of rain. Just like with gas powered models, dry the tool after using it.

How Rain Affects Weed Eaters

As we have pointed out, string trimmers can only handle light drizzles. If the rain turns into a downpour, stop and wait for the downpour to end.

If you leave a string trimmer in the rain for too long, it can suffer all kinds of damage. The following are the most common.

Mechanical or electrical failure. You probably already know that electrical tools must never be used in rainy conditions. Aside from the risk of electric shock, the rain can damage electrical components. The battery compartment of a cordless string trimmer can also suffer damage in heavy rain.

Rust and corrosion. Any metallic part on your weed eater is going to rust. This can be a real problem if your weed eater is equipped with a metal blade. If it uses a string, rust won’t affect it. But any metallic parts will be corroded.

Heavy and continuous rain could seep into the engine housing. Repeated exposure to rain and moisture will eventually lead to corrosion and severe damage. Whether it is gas, electrical or battery operated, rust and corrosion will permanently ruin any weed eater.

Paint chipping and discoloration. A string trimmer left outdoors will be exposed to potential heavy rain and sun. Both heat and rain wears out surface paint and causes color to fade. This is not only about aesthetics, as exposure to extreme weather conditions can cause all kinds of damage.

Internal damage. While gas string trimmers can handle a bit of rain, too much should be avoided. Rainwater could leak into a faulty tank and mess up the fuel. Even a small amount of water will alter the mix and could prevent the engine from starting.

These are the reasons why you should never leave a string trimmer outdoors without protection. If it rains a little while you work, that is fine. Just remember to stop if the rain does not stop soon or gets stronger.

How to Protect Weed Eaters From Moisture and Rain

If you have the Maxtra Gas Tring Trimer or another trimmer, there are steps you can take to protect it from rain and moisture. While the following examples use wed eaters, you can use these tips for other outdoor tool.

Store the string trimmer in your garage. This is the simplest solution. Once you are done using the trimmer (or it suddenly rains), put the tool in your garage or shed. If you have a lot of outdoor equipment, it makes sense to have a dedicated space for them.

Put a tarp or canvas over your string trimmer. If you do not have space in your garage, put a canvas or tarp over your outdoor equipment. Make sure the tarp covers the entire tool and that there are no tears.

Apply anti-corrosion spray. An anti rust and corrosion spray safeguards the weed eater from exposure to the elements. One of those recommend is the WD-40 Corrosion Inhibitor. Even if you store the weed eater in your garage, it is still a good idea to apply anti-rust for maximum protection.

How to Fix a Wet Weed Eater That Will Not Start

Suppose you forgot and left your string trimmer out in the rain, and now it won’t run. If that happens here are some of the things you can do. This video shows you how it works. If you prefer to read, there are instructions below.

1. If you have not done so, move the string trimmer in your garage or shed.
2. Wipe the water and moisture off.
3. Turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug. Take the air filter cover off and remove the filter. Clean the filter if needed.
4. Get a container ready and empty the fuel tank if the fuel is old and left residue, clean the tank after draining. Pump the primer bulb 8-10 times.
5. Get an air compressor and clear out the fuel line and filter.
6. Pull the starter rope several times then apply carburetor cleaner into the air filter intake and spark plug inlet.
7. Clean or replace the air filter and spark plug.
8. Push the primer bulb and add fuel.

Provided there is no more water or clogging in the engine, your string trimmer should restart. If it does not work, the carburetor is probably clogged up and needs to be cleaned or replaced.

This method obviously only works with gas string trimmers. If your battery weed eater got soaked in the rain, dry it off. Open the battery compartment and let the water out. Wipe it dry. If the battery does not look corroded, put it back on and try it.

Do Weed Eaters Work on Wet Grass?

A string trimmer can cut wet grass, but it is difficult. The wet grass stick together and this can result in a blockage. A clogged engine will run slowly if at all and the end results will be unsatisfactory.

The best thing to do is wait for the grass to dry before you start trimming. If it cannot wait, be prepared as it is going to take more effort.

Th worst part about trimming wet grass it their tendency to cluster together. When this happens it can accumulate and stick onto the trimmer. This blockage is going to cause engine problems and slow you down. At worst the engine will stall.

Another reason for the poor performance is using the wrong weed eater string size. To get the best results you must use the right line LNK for your string trimmer. Of course there are also inherent risks with working during a rainstorm, such as slipping and falling. So better wait for the sky to clear up.