Do Mower Deck Washer Ports Really Work?

Mower decks can get quite dirty from all of the grass clippings, pine needles, and leaves. Many lawnmowers include a washer port on the outer edge designed to help water flow under the deck. It’s supposed to clean the deck, but does this port actually do anything?

Mower deck washer ports work by attaching a hose to the port and letting the water flush out the debris. While they’re effective, washing ports should be used as light cleaning methods between monthly deep cleans. Ensure there’s no rust or corrosion in the port before using it.

In this post, we’re going to explain what a mower deck’s washing port does, how you can use it, and a few tips to fix a port if it doesn’t work.

What Does a Mower Deck Washer Port Do?

A mower deck washer port cleans out the space under the deck and around the blades. Cutting the grass gradually builds clumps of clippings under the deck, so it’s important to clean the blades regularly. It hooks up to a hose to flush the deck quickly and efficiently.

So, do these ports actually do anything? Here’s what you should know:

• You have to turn on the engine for the washer port to clean the deck. If the blades aren’t moving, they won’t spray water throughout the underside of the mower. You’ll pour hose water through the port and onto the ground, wasting your time. Lower the deck and turn on the engine when you’re ready to attach the hose.
• A mower deck washer port won’t clean everything on the mower. There will be small spaces that the water misses, which is why it’s essential that you deep clean the lawnmower every so often. That being said, using the washer port weekly can prevent too much debris from building up and making the blades less effective.
• Waiting too long between cleaning sessions can spell disaster for the lawnmower. Believe it or not, too much debris under the deck can break the lawnmower’s belt, overheat the engine, dull the blades, and more. Think of a mower deck port as a quick cleaning session that lengthens the time in between deep cleans.

While some people use the wash port as the only source of cleaning, it’s not recommended. These ports offer excellent cleaning, but they don’t scrub rust or deep-set grime. Dirt and debris can layer up underneath the deck, so it’s important to scrape it off.

How Do You Use a Deck Wash Port?

To use a deck wash port:

1. Lower your lawnmower’s deck as low as possible. Consumer Reports suggests lowering the lawnmower’s deck to keep all of the water underneath it. This step increases the water pressure around the deck and blades, turning it into a carwash for lawnmowers.
2. Attach a garden hose to the threaded port. If you don’t have a deck on your mower, you’ll need to get one. You can’t clean the blades with a washer port if there’s no deck. Thread the garden hose into the deck washer port and a nearby water faucet.
3. Turn on the water and start the lawnmower’s engine to spin the blades. Starting the engine turns the blades, which throws water around the deck. You can use a washer port without turning on the mower, but it won’t reach the far end of the deck.
4. Open the mulching discharge if your lawnmower has one. This step flushes the side discharge area, clearing out mulch clumps and leftover debris from the yard. It’s not as important as cleaning the blades, but it can prevent future clogs from happening.
5. Turn off the engine and water, then check if the deck and blades are clean. They won’t be sparkly clean since you didn’t directly wash them or use chemical cleaners, but there shouldn’t be clumps of grass. Scrubbing the deck with a sponge every so often will keep it functioning as it should.

Mower deck washers are incredibly important if you want to maintain a clean lawnmower. They make the deck and blades look and operate much better. Make sure you do it on a sunny day so the parts can dry. If they’re wet for too long, they can develop rust.

If you’re still unsure, follow these video tips:

How to Fix a Lawnmower Washing Port

If you want to fix a lawnmower washing port, you’ll have to unscrew and remove the old one. Screw in the compatible washing port for your lawnmower’s deck. Some of the deck ports are universal, so you can use them on any lawnmower. There should be enough space on the deck for the port.

Not all lawnmowers have washer ports. If your mower has one, you can unscrew it and add a new one. The only time you’d have to switch out your washer port is if it’s corroded or stripped. The port doesn’t move or operate with moving parts, but it can wear down over time.

You can use mulching blades on a side discharge mower if you want to limit the number of times you have to use the washer port. The small grass clippings are much less likely to clump under the deck, especially if the grass isn’t wet. However, it’s still a good idea to use the washing port to clean the blades.

Most mower washer ports have caps. If the cap is jammed, you can use a rust inhibitor to get rid of the corrosion. If yours doesn’t have a cap, make sure you keep the lawnmower under a cover, tarp, or in a shed. Too much humidity or rainwater can rust the threaded port.

Donald Porta shows exactly how to add a new port to your lawnmower below.

Wrapping It Up

Lawnmower deck washing ports are some of the most underused, useful parts of a mower. They help you clean the mower’s deck, keeping the blades in good condition and preventing them from dumping mulching clumps all over the yard. Don’t forget to deep clean the deck at least once per month.