Fall is the perfect time for homeowners to tackle lawn care and home maintenance projects before the winter season sets in. With cooler temperatures and less intense sunlight, you have (nearly) no excuses when it comes to finishing up the projects that you were delaying all summer. If you need a jump-start, we love taking advantage of the complete selection of rental equipment available at The Home Depot. For many projects, it's easier than investing in a niche lawn care or home maintenance tool, and makes it easier to get your project done efficiently and affordably.
To learn more about the top products that homeowners and consumers rent this time of year, we connected with Tony English, Senior Director of Merchandising for The Home Depot Rental. Here are the eight tools he recommends for fall maintenance:
Aerator
An aerator is a tool designed to create small holes in the soil of your lawn, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots more effectively. By renting, you can knock out this project in an afternoon or a weekend (depending on the size of your lawn) and help reduce soil compaction and promote healthier grass growth.
"Using a lawn aerator in the fall is especially important after the stress of summer heat," shares English. "Fall aeration promotes stronger root growth, which prepares your lawn to thrive in the spring. And it can improve the effectiveness of overseeding, as the seeds have better contact with the soil."
Overseeder
Want your lawn to look fabulous next year? Overseeding in the fall is ideal due to the cooler nights and mild days, which create optimal conditions for seed germination and establishment. The machine spreads grass seed evenly over your existing lawn while simultaneously creating small holes in the soil to ensure better seed-to-soil contact for improved germination.
Chainsaw
"If you only need a chainsaw for the occasional use, renting can be more economical than buying one outright, especially for the once-a-year fall yard cleanup," highlights English. Don't let yard debris build up. It's easier to manage it with a chainsaw rental. Some chainsaws are battery-powered and allow for light yard work, while others are more heavy-duty for those big tree falls.
Stump grinder
A stump grinder is a great tool to rent for a day, especially if you (and your neighbors!) want to go in on it together. If you have really, really big stumps you might still feel better about hiring out to a pro that can get deep into the root to thward regrowth, but as far as the power tool rental we're linking to here, it would be totally adequate for most smaller stumps. And, you won't need to get a rental trailer to transport it home.
Plus, we love the byproduct. "You can use the mulch you grind from the stumps to protect your plants," recommends English.
Log Splitter
A log splitter is a machine that uses hydraulic or mechanical force to split logs into smaller pieces, making them easier to handle and use for firewood. It's definitely not the kind of tool an average homeowner needs to store long-term, but renting for a day or a weekend is well worth it. When we lost a tree in our yard, we had the tree company leave it in manageable logs on the ground (it saved us quite a bit because they didn't have to haul it off). We rented a log splitter with the savings, used it to split each log into chunks, dried it out, and ended up with firewood for a year.
Leaf blower
Accomplish easy leaf and debris removal with a variety of leaf-blowing options. "Remove debris from your lawn easily to maintain its best health," reminds English. "It’s necessary to prevent dead grass, leaves, and other items from blocking water and important nutrients from reaching your plants or grass’ roots."
Paint Sprayer
"Fall typically brings cooler temperatures and lower humidity, which are ideal for spray painting," notes English. "These conditions help the paint to dry evenly and reduce the risk of issues like blistering or cracking." Using a paint sprayer instead of a brush or roller makes it easy to apply paint or stain to a variety of surfaces as a fine mist. It's faster, more even, and a great way to finish a job that would otherwise require a lot of attention to detail.
Pressure Washer
You can rent a pressure washer that has a gas engine or an electric motor, and in a few short hours, blast away accumulated grime on surfaces such as decks, driveways, and patios. "Cleaning your home’s exterior before winter can prevent damage," reminds English. "Dirt, grime, and organic growth can cause surfaces to deteriorate over time. By pressure washing in the fall, you can protect your home from potential cold weather damage."
Ladder
"It may be tough for some homeowners to own ladders over a certain length," noted English. We couldn't relate to anything more — ours max out at 10 feet high. "Whether you're doing a roof inspection, trimming trees, or cleaning your gutters, renting a ladder this fall could come in handy. [Home Depot rental items] range from 10’ to 32’, so you can choose from a variety of ladder options for the various heights you may need to reach."
Make the Most of The Season
The Home Depot Rental can help with all your fall home improvement projects. "Our well-stocked Rental Center has everything necessary to get the job done right, no matter the size of the project you decide to take on," shares English. "And the rental process is simplified with the additional convenience of renting in-store or online for same-day pick-up." Other benefits to consider, include the following:
- Rental costs are more manageable. Renting tools can be more economical than buying, especially for tools you only need occasionally. Skip the initial investment and instead rent a tool if you only need it for a few hours or a weekend.
- No maintenance hassles. Home Depot maintains every piece of equipment, so you'll get tools that are in good working order and won't need to deal with the maintenance or winterizing.
- Flexible rental periods. Get it for as long as you need it. With flexible rental periods, The Home Depot allows you to rent tools for a few hours, a day, or even longer, depending on your needs. Need it for extra time? Yes, there may be an additional cost, but still less than buying it new.
- Get expert advice. The Rental Centers provide guidance on how to use the tools safely and effectively, so you can feel confident during your DIY project and get the job done right.
