The End-of-Summer Checklist for Your Lawn Equipment
- Joseph Cruz
- Aug 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 6

Chicago summers are tough on lawn equipment. Long mowing weeks, hot weather, and dusty yards take a toll on small engines. When the season cools down, most homeowners push the mower or trimmer into the corner of the garage and forget about it until spring. That’s exactly when problems start.
A little care now means fewer headaches later—and it can save you from frantically searching “small engine repair near me” when your mower won’t start in April. Here’s a practical end-of-summer checklist designed for Chicago homeowners who want to protect their investment in lawn and property equipment.
Empty the Tank or Treat the Fuel
Gasoline that sits for months gets stale and gums up carburetors. That’s the top reason our shop sees a surge in Chicago small engine repair each spring. Run the tank empty or add fuel stabilizer before storing your mower, snow blower, or trimmer.
Change the Oil Before Storage
Think of fresh oil like a protective coat for your engine. Leaving dirty oil in over winter allows contaminants to slowly break down components. A quick oil change now keeps you from needing small engine repair Chicago calls when you least expect it.
Clear Out the Grime
Caked-on grass and dust trap moisture and cause rust. Scrape under the mower deck, wipe down trimmers and blowers, and clear air vents. Clean machines run cooler, last longer, and cost less to maintain.
Replace Filters and Inspect Spark Plugs
Air filters clogged with dust choke the engine, and old spark plugs are another common reason for hard starts in the spring. Swapping these parts now is simple insurance compared to emergency equipment repair near me searches when the season starts.
Sharpen or Replace Blades
Sharp mower blades make cleaner cuts and put less strain on the engine. Dull blades force the engine to work harder, burn more fuel, and shorten its life.
Check Belts, Cables, and Tires
Cracks in belts, worn cables, or flat tires are easy to ignore at the end of summer but cause breakdowns during peak use. A quick inspection now helps avoid costly downtime later.
Why a Professional Tune-Up Is Worth It
Homeowners can handle a lot of basic maintenance, but professional service digs deeper—checking carburetors, compression, and electrical systems. That’s why many Chicago homeowners skip the guesswork and bring their equipment to a trusted Chicago small engine repair shop like A&A Equipment.
Wrap-Up
Your lawn mower isn’t the only piece of equipment that deserves attention at the end of summer. In many Chicago homes, the lineup of small engine tools includes snow blowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and pressure washers—all of which rely on the same routine maintenance to stay reliable. Each machine benefits from fresh oil, clean fuel, sharp parts, and occasional professional care.
If you’d rather have peace of mind, stop searching for “small engine repair near me” and trust A&A Equipment and Supply to keep your lawn mowers, snow blowers, trimmers, blowers, chainsaws, and pressure washers running season after season.
Book your service today at https://aa.equipment and get your equipment ready for whatever Chicago weather throws at it.