Lawn mower white noise. How to Conquer Annoying Noises So You Can Sleep

How to Conquer Annoying Noises So You Can Sleep

Is the relentless thump of a neighbor’s music driving you nuts? We’ve been there. Sound is probably the most frustrating thing that keeps people from getting good sleep because it’s often hard to control.

Fortunately, people don’t need total silence in order to sleep. The human brain just needs to feel safe, and a boring sound can help provide that sense, explains sleep specialist Rafael Pelayo, MD.

As a result, you may have more options for busting your bedtime-noise issues than you think. Here’s what to consider.

Fix the problem causing the noise

For creaky doors, unleash that WD-40. Tighten the screws in a squeaky bed frame. Call the super or a repairperson to silence that leaky faucet or loud radiator. Make an appointment with a doctor for your snoring partner.

Muffle the noise

If you can’t get rid of the source of the noise, and that noise is low-frequency (such as the deep drone of an air conditioner), a pair of noise-cancelling headphones may temper the sound. You have to sleep on your back, though. Otherwise, a pair of old-fashioned earplugs can help take the edge off any kind of noise, no matter its frequency.

Mask the noise

Is the noise too loud to muffle? Try to “blur” it away with another sound that has the same frequency but is more pleasant and calming: Try pink noise or ocean-wave sounds for the low-frequency buzzing of a generator, for instance, or white noise or a crackling-campfire sound for the higher-frequency taps of, say, an old radiator.

You can produce these calming sounds with a noise-generating machine—typically called a white-noise machine even though it generates a spectrum of colored or environmental sounds—or you can listen to them through a white-noise app or sleep headphones.

Did you know?

Human ancestors could sleep through loud but familiar noises, like chirping birds, but they would wake up at the sound of a potential predator.

This is why the click of a lock is more likely to disrupt sleep than the loud but constant whir of a fan, Pelayo says.

This article was edited by Alejandra Matos.

Mentioned above

Whether you prefer over-ear or in-ear noise-cancelling headphones, we have recommendations to help bring peace to your next trip.

We measured 25 different sets of earplugs and sleep-tested the top contenders to find that Mack’s Slim Fit Soft Foam Earplugs are the best for most people.

A white noise machine can mask irritating noises that make it hard to sleep or difficult to FOCUS. The LectroFan EVO is the most effective device for the price.

All of the sleep headphones we tested fell short in some way, but we still have three recommendations for different uses and budgets.

Further reading

How to Sleep Well (or at Least Better) While Traveling

Our sleep and travel editors recommend gear for coping with travel-induced insomnia, vetted through hours of testing and years of personal experience.

Everything You Need to Block Light and Noise From Your Bedroom

Don’t give in to tossing and turning because of random noises or light in your bedroom. Here are the tools to create a quiet, dark sleep oasis.

Things to Help Your Baby—and You—Sleep Better

We compared dozens of cribs, mattresses, and monitors and talked to doctors Harvey Karp and Bill Sears to find the best bets for a good night’s sleep.

Gear to Help You Sleep Better

Here are tools to encourage good sleep hygiene, from keeping well hydrated to limiting Internet time in the evening.

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter

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I live in a suburban area where there are no big multi-story buildings – everyone is living in a nice, comfy two-story house with big yards, which means nearly everyone has a nice lawn that requires occasional mowing.

My closest neighbors are some genuinely nice and tolerant people – I have a teenage son who is going through a punk phase right now and is playing drums, a toddler – need I say more? – and I have never had any trouble with what people would consider being quite a noisy family.

I should not be the one to complain about noise, considering my own situation, but, remember my previous post where I said I had lost my job as a home-based teacher due to too much outside noise?

That included occasional lawn mowing and hedge trimming during my classes.

Since then I have done a lot of noise insulation and sound-proofing on my home.

However, the issue of being outside and trying to communicate with someone while half the neighborhood is using lawnmowers at the same time on Saturdays around noon still stands.

For some time I’ve considered convening a neighborhood council and setting up a schedule of lawn mowing for each street, but that seemed like too much to ask of people.

Having understood my concern, my husband has been tinkering with our lawnmower and trying to figure out how to make it quieter and, since I myself love trying out and experimenting with such stuff, I joined him and we have since found out multiple ways of muffling its noise.

If you’re interested in getting a quiet lawn mower, see our reviews of the best in the market here.

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter

Aside from the obvious solution of just getting a bunch of earmuffs for everyone, here are some other ways to solve this problem:

Check the muffler for any signs of damage

Most of the noise lawn mowers make comes either from the blades or the engine itself, so there is not much you can do about it (aside from buying a new engine), but sometimes, there are other issues that cause the incessant roaring.

We have to start from the most basic and the easiest steps: checking the muffler.

My husband was helping a neighbor fix their lawn mower and they came across a muffler that was cracked at the pinch seam.

This problem has a pretty easy and quick fix (depending on how big the crack is): the only thing you need to do is weld it.

Optionally, you can also cover it with some high-temperature spray paint, like the ones you can get from eBay or Amazon for around 20-30.

Although it still can’t make your engine purr like a kitten, it will definitely make some difference.

If the damage is too big, sometimes it might be easier and better to just replace the muffler with a new one.

They also don’t seem to be too expensive and can be bought anywhere in the range from 10 to 40, depending on your lawn mower’s model.

You can also try making your own custom muffler using a tin can of some sort and some screws, but I would not bother with that, seeing as they probably will not last too long and you will end up needing to replace them again.

Speaking of mufflers, it seems like it’s possible to install an additional muffler onto your lawn mower, and it also seems to be very cheap – under 30.

Installing a New Muffle

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process: you attach one to the current position of your muffler and the other one on the air inlet, so you have both ends covered.

Despite not having many options in silencing the deck where the blades are, you can still muffle it a little by sticking some sort of sound deadening mats (albeit you might find them a little too expensive, compared to the other methods) onto it and sealing with a bed liner, similar to what we used in soundproofing the truck cabin.

You might also want to consider using Dynamat, but it is not necessary, as the bed liner can accomplish most of the muffling by itself.

However, keep in mind that sticking anything onto the deck can block the correct airflow and cause damage, so I recommend being careful with this particular method.

Check your exhaust pipe for any signs of damage

Now, if it’s your exhaust pipe that’s causing the noise, you can deal with it the same way you deal with your car’s broken exhaust pipe or, in other words, if the damage is too big – replace it.

If it’s not, you can work around and try with some other fixing methods. Keep in mind that replacing the exhaust pipe might call for a professional’s help.

There are a couple of different types of damage your exhaust pipe could be suffering from: rust is one of the most common reasons metal parts get holes in them, and holes in an exhaust pipe equal a lot of noise.

If the rust has managed to eat its way all the way through the pipe, depending on the size of the hole, you might have to call for a professional to cut out and replace a part of your exhaust.

Easy fix methods for the exhaust pipe

If the hole is still fairly big, but not big enough to require cutting out of parts, you can fix it fairly easily by sealing a piece of aluminum over it with some epoxy – soda or beer cans can do the trick just fine.

Smaller holes can easily be fixed only by using some repair putty or exhaust tape, both of which are fairly cheap – 5 for putty and around 10 for the tape.

Before applying these, make sure you’ve scrubbed out all the dirt, rust, mud and everything with a steel-toothed brush; also make sure you are wearing safety goggles of some sort in order to avoid getting debris into your eyes.

Next up, you will want to use sandpaper to smooth out the surface of the pipe and acetone to wipe it, so you can ensure creating a better bond between the pipe and the patch.

If you are using the tape, you will need to clean the surface all the way around, so it can stick more firmly.

Keep in mind that, depending on the type of the tape you are using, you might need to warm up the pipe a bit – let the engine run for a couple of minutes – or keep the tape wet so it can stick to the surface.

If the hole is fairly small and you are only using epoxy to patch it up, you will need a wooden dowel (popsicle sticks can also do the trick, although they tend to break more easily) to mix it up and apply it to the hole.

Remember, the epoxy cures pretty fast, so you have to be quick with the applying.

Also, make sure the layer on and around the hole is quite thick.

For the bigger holes that need some patching up: there are exhaust repair kits that can be bought, but cutting a piece out of a soda or beer can can do the trick just as well.

Apply epoxy before putting on the patch (you can also apply it over the patch in order to make it stronger).

Alternatively, you might want to wrap the can all the way around the pipe, in which case, aside from sticking it to the pipe with epoxy, you will want to tighten it further with some hose clamps.

For the DIY freaks: you can also make your own exhaust pipes using hex bushings, nipples, elbows, pipes, a drill and some cloth or fiberglass for additional sound muffling effect.

Although I would not recommend it for cars or other bigger vehicles, it can work just fine on a lawnmower.

On Fixing a Noisy Lawn Mower

I’ve presented you with a few ways to make your lawn mower a little quieter.

Aside from all of these suggestions, I would like to point out that, if you are outside – especially if you are the one using the lawn mower – you should definitely put on some earmuffs, as the mower is still going to be loud and losing your hearing over time is an actual problem that happens to people who like it “loud and proud”.

If the noise still bothers your kids or the people inside, aside from these fixes, you should probably consider getting some white noise machines for naptimes (remember to be considerate about the mowing during the siesta!) or just straight out blasting some good music to counter the buzzing.

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter

Noisy lawn mowers disrupting your conversations? Need to fix a noisy lawn mowers? Click here to learn how to make a lawn mower quieter. SIMPLE.

Instructions

• Check The Muffler For Any Signs Of Damage
• Check Your Exhaust Pipe For Any Signs Of Damage

Quietest lawn mower 2023: Mow your lawn in peace

Discover the quietest lawn mowers to transform your yard into a blissfully quiet haven.

The quietest lawn mowers are the perfect tool to transform your backyard into a scene of peace and serenity. While most lawn mowers are notoriously noisy, there are quiet lawn mower models that significantly reduce the amount of noise you (and your neighbors) will experience.

So, what should you look for in one of the quietest lawn mowers? You’ll see that noise levels are measured in decibels. Be aware that decibels are on a logarithmic scale, with 50 dB registering about twice as loud as 40 dB. As a guide, a normal conversation is the equivalent of 60 dB. However, it’s worth noting that the majority of lawn mower manufacturers do not provide information on decibels (although our top pick does!).

In this guide, you’ll only find electric lawn mowers, robot lawn mowers and manual push mowers. We excluded the best riding lawn mowers and the best gas lawn mowers from this guide as, while they tend to boast superior cutting power, they tend to be louder than their counterparts.

Mulling over whether to opt for manual, electric, or robot? The main distinction is the amount of work. A manual mower is the most sustainable option but requires more physical exertion, a robot takes care of the mowing for you, and an electric model is somewhere in between.

Quietest lawn mowers

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

We’ve rounded up the quietest lawn mowers around to help you find the right model for you. We’ve included everything from a high-tech robot lawn mower to a manual push reel mower. While we endeavor to review every product that we highlight in our guides, reviews for the products below are still in progress. However, we’ve summed up the key specs, features and user reviews to help you make the right decision for you and your lawn.

The quietest lawn mower

Reasons to avoid

If you want a mower to do the hard graft for you, the GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO City is your new best friend. Better still, this robot mower operates so quietly that you may forget it’s there.

The GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO City scores an impressive 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon user reviews on the noise level. Many were thrilled with the convenience of the mower taking care of the lawn for them. A few mentioned that it trims the grass very short, which is not to everyone’s taste. The main drawback mentioned is that setting up the boundary wire can be a hassle. but you only have to do it once.

Gardena is a European brand renowned for its robot mowers, with 20 years of experience in the industry. An insider tip is that European brands often have quieter models as there are stricter regulations on noise control than in the US. At 57 dBA, it’s one of the quietest lawn mowers in its class. That’s equivalent to just shy of a normal conversation. The quiet operation allows you to relax and unwind in your yard while the mower takes care of the lawn.

We love that this little mower works come rain or shine, with a clever weatherproof design. It can even navigate slopes up to a 35% gradient. At 799.99, it’s not cheap, though it may be worth the investment to tick the mowing off your list.

of the quietest lawn mowers

Cutting width: 18 inches Type: Self-propelled, cordless Power type: Battery

If you live in a crowded urban area, the Makita XML03CM1 is a safe bet. It’s super quiet, thanks to the battery-powered operation and a brushless motor. It scores a commendable 4.7 out of 5 on noise level on Amazon reviews. The quiet mode is a bonus, which dampens noise by reducing the speed to 2500 RPM. This feature is super handy if you need to approach buildings. Plus, the Makita XML03CM1 goes the distance, promising to last up to 2 miles before the battery cuts out. With self-propelled capability, this product takes the chore out of mowing. The drawbacks? A few reviewers complain the handle is not the comfiest. There are also reports the mower struggles with very tall grass, though it cuts well in normal conditions.

Against

Type: Push reel Power type: Manual Cutting width: 16 inches

If you want to escape the noise of modern life, look no further than the Earthwise 1715-16EW. It’s almost silent, thanks to the absence of a motor. This manual option not only keeps noise pollution to a minimum, but it’s also zero-emission, making it super-sustainable. At a steal price of 129.99, the Earthwise is also budget-friendly. The grass is actually greener with a reel mower thanks to the scissor-like action, which protects the lawn from damage. Worried about it being hard work? One reviewer describes it as a “dream to push,” and it is surprisingly lightweight. Yet it won’t be for everyone, as it does demand physical exertion. A few Amazon reviews mention adjusting it can be cumbersome, which is worth factoring in.

Against

Type: Corded push Power type: Electric Cutting width: 14 inches

The American Lawn Mower Company 50514 is a green option for small lawns. Thanks to its electric operation, it reduces your carbon footprint. Another draw is this electric model is much quieter than gas. One Amazon reviewer said they could even hold a conversation while mowing. This mower is incredibly lightweight, making it a breeze to use. If you’re pressed for storage space, you can stow it away easily due to the foldable handle. The adjustability is another nice touch. you can customize the handle height to suit your frame. Be aware that the grass bag fills up quickly, and the mower is corded, making it best suited to small plots. But at 159.99, the American Lawn Mower Company 50514 is both a budget and planet-conscious option.

Against

Type: Cordless push Power type: Battery Running time: 60 minutes

The EGO Power LM2000-S promises the power of gas without the faff. This makes an excellent alternative to a gas mower. Thanks to the battery-powered operation, it boasts 30% less noise than a gas equivalent. This is a great all-rounder if you want an easy-to-use electric mower. It scores a commendable 4.5 out of 5 from 303 reviews on Amazon. Plus, it folds away, which is a big draw if you’re tight on storage space. For a healthy lawn, you can mulch the grass clippings to return nutrients to the soil and keep it looking lush. At 349.99, it offers decent value though you will need to shell out extra for a battery as it’s not included. EGO batteries are interchangeable if you have their other tools.

Why having the quietest lawn mower possible is important

If you want to transform your yard into a tranquil haven, picking one of the quietest lawn mowers is a superb choice.

“Quiet lawnmowers offer a multitude of benefits, including eliminating disruptions for neighbors and expanding a homeowner’s mowing opportunities. Mowing early in the morning was once considered a nuisance, but with quiet lawn mowers, homeowners can mow whenever it fits their schedule — without waking up the neighborhood,” says Christina Swanson, Marketing Manager at Toro.

Christina Swanson is a marketing manager with Toro, where she is responsible for the walk–behind lawn mower business. She’s an expert on all aspects of lawn care – and understands why having a quiet lawn mower can be so beneficial.

Picking one of the quietest lawn mowers is wise if you live in an urban area with buildings and neighbors nearby. It means you don’t have to worry about disturbing the people around you.

Keeping the noise down isn’t just about peace and quiet. Evidence suggests reducing exposure to noise benefits your health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to excessive noise can interfere with daily activities and negatively impact sleep and cardiovascular health.

Exposure to loud noise over prolonged periods is also linked to stress. “It is thought that noise triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which damages blood vessels over time,” says Poppy Szkiler, Quiet Mark CEO CoFounder.

If you share your home with pets, one of the quietest lawn mowers may be a wise choice. Loud noises can cause distress in some animals, but a quiet model can put your mind at ease.

What are the downsides to having a quiet lawn mower?

Perceptions of noise are shifting, and choosing a quiet appliance is increasingly desirable. According to a Quiet Mark survey, more than 77% of Americans have changed how they view noise in their environment since the beginning of the pandemic.

“The World Health Organization says that noise pollution is the second biggest killing natural pollutant after air pollution. At least 1 million healthy life-years are lost every year in western European countries because of environmental noise, with cardiovascular disease contributing to the vast majority of these deaths, especially high blood pressure, heart attacks, and coronary heart disease,” says Poppy Szkiler, Quiet Mark CEO CoFounder.

People are willing to pay a premium for peace and quiet. You can expect models with quiet functioning to cost more as it’s a selling point. If you’re on a budget, a manual model may be a great choice as they are typically more affordable than other options. You may also want to take advantage of deals on quieter models to reap the rewards for less.

Typically, electric, battery, and manual models are quieter than gas lawn mowers. Consumers have traditionally faced a trade-off between the power of gas and the peace and quiet of other types of mowers. Recent developments see alternative models beginning to rival gas. “Battery-powered mowers stand up to their gas counterparts when it comes to quality of cut, reliability, and durability,” says Christina Swanson, Marketing Manager at Toro.

Yet be aware that often higher motor speeds produce more noise, so you may need to find a compromise between power and noise level. The Makita XML03CM1, for example, has an extra quiet mode, which reduces noise by slowing down the speed of the motor.

On a very large plot? The quietest models may not offer sufficient power to cover the ground quickly. In this scenario, a riding mower may be a better alternative for your yard.

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White Smoke From Lawn Mower – Easy Fix!

White Smoke from your mower looks pretty serious, but usually, it’s a simple fix.

A mower commonly blows white smoke for two reasons:

• Mower tipped over incorrectly
• Engine overfilled it with oil

Other possible causes include:

Mower tipped over is the most common reason for white smoke. Usually, the customer turns over the mower to clean the deck or unclog the chute. This allows oil to enter the cylinder, and when the mower is restarted, the oil burns and turns your yard into a 70s disco. Sometimes oil will also leak from the muffler.

The fix is simple, check the mower for oil and let the engine idle until the smoke clears. If your lawnmower is a tractor mower, white smoke usually means too much oil, a carburetor fault, or a blown head gasket. (more on this below)

The diagnosis and fix are covered here in this post, but if you need video help, check out the Mower blowing white smoke video. It walks you through the process step by step – diagnosing, oil removal, carb check repair, and compression testing for a blown head gasket; it’s all covered.

Tipping the mower on its side for maintenance or cleaning causes oil to move into the cylinder.

When you fire up the mower, the oil in the cylinder burns to cause white smoke. It will clear after a short while.

I hook the handlebars under a bench. Turing your mower to the side is fine as long as you turn it with the air filter side up.

Turn the air filter side up for greater access and avoid the white smoke.

A Case Of Too Much Oil

Lawnmower engines usually take a little over half a quart (.6lt), so it’s easy to overfill them. Lots of my customers add oil without ever checking the level. They do this thinking it won’t do the engine any harm.

Wrong! Too much oil can damage the engine, as most operate a splash lubrication system. When the oil level is above the splash paddles, they don’t work efficiently.

Don’t damage your engine needlessly. I wrote the complete guide – which shows you how to dip your oil, oil types, quantity, and how to drain oil; you can check it out here How to check oil level.

The white smoke is the engine burning off all the excess oil. The fix – drain the excessive oil, and idle the engine until the smoke clears. This may take 5 minutes or so.

Depending on your mower type, draining the oil can be a pain in the ass. I got this Briggs and Stratton oil extractor on Amazon; it makes life soooo easy. You can check it out here on the “Small engine repair tools page”

Too much oil will cause other problems, smoke, poor running, no running, leaks, and engine damage. Check out “How to check oil level”.

Drain excess oil and check and top up if needed.

Gas In The Oil

If your oil level is overfull and smells of gas, it’s likely you have a failed carburetor seal. Don’t run the engine, as the oil is too thin and offers no protection. Change the oil after making repairs to the carburetor.

If you think this sounds like your problem, go ahead and replace the carburetor, it’s faulty. I wrote this complete guide to help you check your “Carburetor troubleshooting”.

You may prefer a step-by-step video guide on carburetor cleaning; it includes removing, stripping, cleaning, rebuilding, and refitting your carburetor.

Carb cleaning is included in the video library of common lawn mower problems; all guides are easy to follow.

Carb cleaning is covered in this guide titled “Mower engine surging.” It’s so-called because surging and stalling are common symptoms of a dirty, faulty, or contaminated carburetor.

You may also need a tune-up; I wrote an easy-to-follow “Lawn mower tune-up” guide, including pictures and a maintenance chart.

The oil level will be overfull and stink of gas.

The fix is to replace the float needle and seal or replace the whole carburetor. Consider fitting a fuel tap, and don’t forget to change the oil.

White Smoke Dies

This is a sure sign that oil has made its way into the carburetor and is blocking the gas feed jet. Most times, repeated starting and running of the engine will clear the oil. However, if you cannot run the engine long enough, you may need to clean the carburetor.

First, try removing the plug and turning over the engine a few times to expel oil from the cylinder. Clean or replace the plug and try starting again. If this fails, you can check out “Carburetor Cleaning,” where I show you how to remove and clean your carburetor.

Remove the plug and clear the cylinder by turning over the engine with the pull cord. Clean the plug before refitting.

Oil In The Gas Tank

In addition to overfilling with oil and tipping the mower on its side, putting oil into the gas tank accidentally is very common. Using the trimmer 2-cycle mix in the mower gas tank is a common mistake, too; it won’t produce the dramatic white smoke like engine oil though.

The fix – drain the gas tank and, refill it with fresh gas, run the engine to clear the system. If the engine fails to start, no problem, check out my guide – “Carburetor cleaning.”

Head Gasket Failure

A failed head gasket is much less likely but will produce lots of smoke. Unlike previous solutions, it’s a little more work. A head gasket is a metal and graphite material.

It’s fitted between the cylinder block and the cylinder head of an engine. Its job is to seal the combustion chamber.

High crankcase pressures and oil leaks are a sign of head gasket failure; you may also hear a slight puffing noise as compression escapes from the cylinder. The fix – replace the head gasket.

A blocked crankcase breather will cause the oil in the cylinder and white smoke; clearing the breather pipe is a simple fix.

Failed or worn piston rings are the end; sadly, a rebuild is needed. A new engine is most likely a cheaper option and comes with a guarantee, but a new mower might make more sense at this stage.

Head gasket failure can cause white smoke. This will only be an issue with OHV (overhead valve) type engines and will also depend on where the gasket fails.

OHV engines are usually well marked with OHV on the front engine cover. When it fails, and depending on where it fails, it will suck oil into the cylinder and blow gases into the crankcase.

Last on the list is engine wear or ring damage. A compression test will confirm if you have internal damage. This condition is rare. Check out the “Compression test video” here.

Related Questions

Why is my electric lawn mower smoking? If your electric lawn mower is smoking, you must unplug it before attempting any further investigation. The motor has most likely burnt out. If, on the other hand, your electric mower uses a belt to drive the blade, it’s possible that just the belt is causing the smoke.

Does the lawnmower smoke on startup? This is generally associated with an old mower; it’s a sign of engine wear. But other possible causes include:

Hey, I’m John, and I’m a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience.

I’ve worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how.

And the best part. it’s free!