Clear the Yard, Not Your Wallet: A Richmond-Friendly Guide to Storm Cleanup Tools
Brought to you by Raven Smith Tool Supply – Richmond’s neighborly tool rental shop.
In Richmond, it’s not if a big storm rolls through—it’s when. Whether it’s a spring thunderstorm, a summer downpour, or one of those surprise windy days that scatter limbs across your yard, the aftermath usually includes a mess of sticks, leaves, branches, and flooded mulch beds.
If you’re staring out your window at the storm leftovers and wondering where to start, we’ve got good news: with the right tools—and without buying a single one—you can handle your own cleanup, feel good doing it, and skip the wait (and cost) of hiring someone else.
Here’s how to make storm cleanup quicker, safer, and a little less overwhelming.
🧹 1. Start With the Branches and Fallen Limbs
Heavy limbs, snapped branches, and twisted shrubs are usually the biggest—and most urgent—things to deal with after a storm.
Recommended tool rentals:
Chainsaw – For cutting up thick limbs or breaking down fallen trees
Pole saw – To trim anything still hanging or cracked up high
Wheelbarrow – To haul debris out to the curb or compost pile
Pro tip: Always start with limbs on the ground. If something's still attached but hanging dangerously, call an arborist.
🍃 2. Blow Off the Debris
Once the big stuff is out of the way, you’ll want to clear out the layer of leaves, twigs, and dirt that a good Richmond storm loves to redeposit across your walkways and flower beds.
Recommended tool rental:
Leaf blower – Saves your back and clears paths fast
Use it to push debris into a pile for bagging, or blow it off sidewalks, patios, and steps. It’s especially handy if you’re dealing with wet leaves or hard-to-reach corners.
🧺 3. Tidy Up and Haul It All Out
Once you’ve cleared, trimmed, and blown everything into piles, you’ll need something to help with the heavy lifting. That’s where the wheelbarrow earns its stripes.
Use it to:
Move bundles of sticks
Transport trash bags
Haul mulch to refill washed-out areas
Relocate tools across your property
If you don’t own one, renting a wheel barrow for the weekend saves you the hassle (and garage space) of keeping a big tool around year-round.
🌼 4. Restore the Beds & Borders
Storms have a way of ruining your hard work in the garden. Once everything is cleared, take 30 minutes to fluff your mulch, re-edge a bed, or replant any flowers that got knocked over.
Recommended tools:
Garden tiller – For turning over muddy beds and releveling soil
Wheelbarrow – Again! Great for hauling new soil or compost
💡 Local Tips for Richmond Storm Recovery
Wait until everything is dry before you start clearing—slippery branches and muddy soil make for dangerous footing.
Don’t overfill your city yard waste bin—Richmond has weight limits and pickup rules (branches usually need to be bundled).
Use your time wisely—many storm tasks take less than an hour if you have the right tool.
🛠️ You Don’t Need to Buy a Chainsaw to Be Self-Sufficient
There’s something satisfying about cleaning up your own yard after a storm—not just because it looks better, but because you did it yourself.
Whether you’re dealing with a couple of limbs or a full-yard refresh, Raven Smith Tool Supply has the tools Richmonders need to bounce back fast. Our rentals are beginner-friendly, freshly tuned, and ready for pickup.
Click Explore Tools below to get started—and let us know what kind of cleanup you’re tackling. We’ll make sure you get the right tool for the job.