Planning an engagement party?

It is that time of year, friends and family are getting engaged and you want to help them celebrate with an engagement party.  Here are some fun ideas for celebrating!

A Cocktail Party. For more than about eight guests, a cocktail party can be a better choice than a dinner party. For this engagement party theme  play. some jazz music, set up a bar, and serve trays of appetizers. To help guests mingle better, ensure that the appetizers are the ‘walk around’ variety, that people can eat anywhere. Another handy tip is to place the food in “stations” around the house / venue so that guests can mix and mingle!

 For engagement party theme decorations, you might find an embarrassing or too-cute photo of the happy couple, and bring it to a Kinkos to be blown up life-size and hung on the wall for all the guests to sign. For a game to “break the ice”, ask all the guests to write their best wedding or marriage advice on a cocktail napkin and then read each one aloud.

Costume Ball. This engagement party theme is far from ordinary! Ask your guests to come dressed as their favorite married couples from history, the big screen, or the tabloid pages. Then have fun while everyone tries to guess who they are! Remember, engagement party themes don’t have to be stuffy!

Mexican Fiesta. Ole’.  This is a great theme that is a little more “low-key” than some others.  Serve Tex-Mex food or chili. For this theme, mix some Margaritas and play salsa music as loud as you please. Some decorating ideas include a pinata filled with adult-friendly favors, multi colored balloons and some sombreros! 

Afternoon Barbecue. This theme is very casual and encourages great interaction with your guests.  Fire up the grill, and gussy up your backyard for a fun party. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and beer are the usual fare, and music can range from country to classic rock. This event can be as fun as you and the guests want it to be.  However, one thing to bear in mind with barbecues is that someone is going to have to stand in front of the grill for a long time to feed the guests. 

If you are planning a party and need some help making it come to life, let the team at Action Rentals help make the event easy for you and memorable for you and your guests!  Give us a call today at 423-246-5181 and let us see how we can help!

Is your home ready for Spring?


Spring is here!  As the weather is warming and plants are starting to bloom, now is the perfect time to ensure that your house is ready for the coming months of sunshine and outdoor activities!


Here are some quick items that you can do to be “summer ready”.

Roof: Check your roof to make sure there are no leaks.  If there are, those will need to be repaired immediately to prevent further damage. Leakage can often be a result of flashing failure so be sure to check the flashing around vents, chimneys and skylights and repair as necessary. Replace any broken shingles and trim any tree branches that are touching the roof.

Fireplace: After your last fire of the season, make sure to clean the fireplace of ashes. 

Filters: Spring is a great time to clean or replace filters as needed in your home’s furnace, air conditioner, range hood and bathroom fans. 

Gutters and downspouts: Make sure that all gutters and downspouts are clean of leaves and pine needles, flowing well and draining away from the house. Clogged gutters can cause leaks and wood rot. Downspouts should drain away from the house to avoid damaging the foundation and basement.

Windows and doors: Spring is a great time to check all the windows and doors for drafts and ensure they are sealed as necessary.  Good sealing will help keep your home cool over the summer months.

Basement: Make sure to ensure that there isn’t dampness in your basement and to repair any cracks in the foundation wall. 

Siding and paint: Check for cracks and holes in house siding or paint, and repair as needed. Examine exterior caulking and recaulk if necessary. 

Smoke detectors: Spring is a great time to check and test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers to ensure they are in good working order. Batteries should be replaced at least twice a year to ensure they are in proper working order.

Plumbing fixtures: Check for leaky faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms. Replace leaking washers or cartridges as needed. 


We are more than happy to provide any knowledge or experience we have to make sure that your projects are done with a minimum of hassle and a maximum amount of safety! We look forward to helping you with your next home or business project.Check out our website at www.actionrentalkpt.com or give us a call at 423-246-5181.

Safety First


Whether you are
working at home or on a job site, safety is critical.  All of us at Action
take safety seriously and we encourage our clients to as well.  Here are
some handy tips to help you stay safe during your projects!

–      
Make sure to inspect your lawn to
remove any debris before mowing

–      
Ensure that any tools you keep at
home are in good working condition.  Damaged tools should be repaired or
replaced.  If it is a tool that you don’t use frequently, check and see if
we carry it and that way you will know it is always in good condition.

–      
Protect your eyes!  Wear safety
glasses or dust glassed to protect against flying particles, and chemical
goggles to protect your eyes against exposure to fertilizers and pesticides.

–      
If you are using any chemicals, make
sure to read the labels and FOLLOW all manufacturer instructions and warning
labels.

–      
Before digging, call the local utilities to make sure that you will not be digging where you could get hurt.

–      
Always look up and around you. 
Be aware of anything that could harm you or your family (power lines, water
lines, trees, etc).

–      
In any project, use common
sense.  If something feels dangerous or potentially harmful, then it
probably is. 

 

We are more than happy
to provide any knowledge or experience we have to make sure that your project
is done with a minimum of hassle and a maximum amount of safety!  We look
forward to helping you with your next home or business project!  Check out
our website at actionrentalkpt.com or call us at 423-246-5181.

Planning your Valentine’s Day Party.

Recently Valentine’s Day has become some of our customers favorite holidays to have a party!  Here are some handy tips that you can use if you are planning a Valentine’s Day Party!  Also, make sure to check out or lights, tables, chairs, linens, DJ in a box, and dishes to help create the perfect mood for your party!

 

One Week Before the Event

–       Review you guest list to ensure you have adequate tables and chairs

–       Send a reminder out to your guest list

–       Get all your non-perishable props ready

 

Two Days Before the Event

–       Complete your grocery shopping

–       Any food items that can be pre-made – go ahead and make those!

–       Finalize decorations!

 

The Day Before the Event

–       Have any rented items delivered today!

–       Make sure your camera batteries are charged and ready to document your wonderful party

–        Complete your decorations!

 

The Day of the Event

–       Have fun and relax knowing your guests are going to have an amazing time!

 

Valentines Day is a great time to enjoy your time with friends and family!  Let Action Party Rentals help you make it memorable!  Check us out online at www.actionpartyrentalkpt.com or give us a call at 423-246-8326.

 

Be Unique With Your Wedding Reception.

Are you planning your reception?  Trying to get the space formatted?  Most receptions seem to format the space the same way, guests are seated around large, round tables.  However, there are many ways that you can “mix up” your reception.  Don’t be afraid to trying something a little (or a lot) different, it can make a major difference.  With a variation in table styles, you have the opportunity to introduce variety. Variety in tables means varied linens and centerpieces.  Guests will surely be wowed when they take in the sights of your big day.

Long Tables

These are also known as family style seating or banquet seating.  Long tables are increasing in popularity quickly. Action Rentals has plenty of long tables to help create a unique and fun look!  These tables are perfect for family style catering service, rustic barn receptions and can be mixed in with round tables and square tables for added dimension in your reception space. 

Square Tables

Using square tables is a bold move.  Square tables have gained popularity over the years with our “fashion forward” clients.  These tables seat 8 guests and fill a room nicely.  Moreover, they offer ample space for centerpiece arrangements and add a sense of drama to the room with their clean lines.

Cocktail Seating

More and more brides are now opting to forgo a sit down dinner and instead focusing on their guests mingling.  A cocktail style reception allows for a variety of seating options including tall cocktail tables, short cocktail tables, smaller rounds and even lounge installations.  We recommend that if you choose more of a cocktail style reception that you might want to also include a lounge or intimate seating area for guests to converge in.  This will allow your guests to mill about without having to commit to a table for the entire evening and will allow them to be free to get up, eat, dance, and move around if they would like.

 Regardless of what style of reception you choose, let Action Rentals help you find the perfect tables, chairs and linens to make your dream a reality. Come by and see us at our showroom at 1861 North Eastman Road, Kingsport, TN or call us at 423-246-5181.  Visit our website at actionpartyrentalkpt.com.

Holiday Spirit

It is that time of the year again… The holiday spirit seems to come upon us all very quickly, and here are another year later.  Are you planning a holiday party at your home or office?  If so, let the event experts at Action Rentals in Kingsport, Tennessee help.  Like all events, a holiday party can be as simple or as lavish as you wish.  Hosting a party at your home or office can be easier on the wallet than a restaurant or banquet hall, however, make sure you plan carefully so that everything goes smoothly.  Some items to make sure to review prior to the party are:

 

Seating:  Do you need tables?  Chairs?  Linens? 

Serving:  Do you need to rent china or extra dishes?  How about chafers?  Serving bowls? Champagne fountain?  Chocolate fountain?  We can help!

Details:  Do you need a dance floor?  Stage?  Margarita machine?  Or do you want to create a setting by using pipe and draping?

Tents:  With the proper heating, tents can be used even in the winter and do provide a majestic backdrop for a beautiful party!  We can help!

 

By considering the above tips and with some planning, you can make any party special!  Check out our website or call us at 423-246-5181 to see how we can help you make your party simply amazing!  Action Rentals is located in Kingsport, Tennessee and serves Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Thank you to our Veteran’s

“My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place– police, firefighters, and members of our armed forces.”  Sidney Shelton

As we approach another Veteran’s Day, all of us at Action Rentals and Sales want to thank those who have given so much of themselves to protect and serve our nation, military, police and firefighters.  Without these brave men and women, our nation would not be where we are today, so thank you for your dedication.  Also, we are thankful for the families of our Veterans.  The sacrifices that Veterans make is also made by their families with missed birthdays, missed celebrations and worry, so thank you to the families as well.  Please take time over the next few days to thank a veteran or current service member for their service and dedication.  

Heater Safety

We have decided to post again, in light of the upcoming weather, our blog about Heater Safety. With the recent quick drop in temperatures we want everyone to think of the following safety tips when operating heaters.

As colder weather begins to settle please take a moment to review our Do’s and Don’ts of Space Heater Safety.  All of us at Action Rentals want you and your family to stay safe and warm this winter.

Do’s:

–       Use a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.  Your heater should have the most up-to-date safety features.  Older space heaters may not meet newer safety standards and that is when accidents happen. 

–       Always review the manual prior to use and follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper use.

–       Place the heater on a level, hard, nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor.

–       Keep the space heater accessible – do not store anything within three feet of the unit.  Keep away from bedding, drapes, and furniture and out of foot traffic path.

–       Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

–       Your space heater must be plugged directly into an outlet.  Do not use an extension cord or a multi-outlet strip/surge protector.  This can start a fire with a high voltage appliance.  The unit must ground with a three-pronged plug.

–       Turn the heater off when you leave the area or home.

–       Be sure to place smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside of sleeping areas and inside each bedroom. Guard against carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings as well by installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Make sure that your batteries in all alarms are fresh and working.

Don’ts:

–       Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep.

–       Do not place a space heater close to any sleeping person.

–       Do not place your electric space heater near a bathroom or kitchen sink area due to the risk of electric shock

–       Never use gasoline in a kerosene space heater, as even a small amount of gasoline mixed with kerosene can start a fire.

–       Don’t use portable propane space heaters indoors or in a confined space unless they are specifically designed for indoor use.

–       Do not use a combustion-fuel heater (gas, propane, etc.) that vents exhaust into the room. They are referred to as unvented space heaters and can cause carbon monoxide to be released. Although an oxygen depletion alarm is standard with most of these heaters, these are not the same as carbon monoxide alarms. “Room-vented” space heaters that are wall-mounted and connected to gas lines are also “unvented” space heaters.

How to use a Pressure Washer

Pressure washing is a quick, easy way to clean your driveway, car, deck or siding. However, the powerful stream of water can also inflict damage if not handled with care. Here are some instructions that will help you get the job done quickly and will help keep your home and family safe in the process.

Things You’ll Need

Instructions

  1. Before using a pressure washer, it is imperative to review the manufacturer’s guidelines about operation. Each model is different and following the directions for your model will help you operate it safely and effectively.
  2. Asses your project to develop a plan.  Take into account gravity.  If you are pressure washing siding or a fence, work from top to bottom, for decks and driveways, make sure you work downhill.  Also, be on the lookout for delicate and breakable areas (windows, vents, light fixtures, etc) and do not pressure wash them.
  3. Select the appropriate nozzle or tip for the project based on your needs and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
  4. If you choose to use chemicals, make sure you are using a model that allows you to add detergents or degreasers to the spray. 
  5. Make sure you are wearing protective eyewear and gloves prior to beginning.  Also, the motors on some pressure washers are very loud, so please wear hearing protection.
  6. Make sure all connections are tight prior to starting.
  7. Start the pressure washer and test the spray to check for correct distance.  Once this is determined, spray away!
  8. If you are using a chemical solution, wait 5-10 minutes to allow the chemicals time to work before pressure washing the surface again with water to rinse the chemicals away.

How to Properly Mix Concrete

How to hand mix concrete so it delivers maximum strength and durability.

Mixing isn’t complicated and when done well, the concrete should last a lifetime. However, beginners must learn to recognize when the desired consistency has been achieved. One must also learn about safety precautions and the materials that must be gathered prior to mixing. The tips below will acquaint concrete novices with the process.

Step by Step:

  1. Take your pre-mix concrete and pour it into a wheelbarrow or tub (depending on the amount you will need).
  2. You will now need to add water.  However, add just a small amount of water at a time.  Also, use your shovel to work the mix by thrusting the shovel under the pre-mix and folding on itself.  This will help to evenly distribute the water.
  3. As you work the mix, add small amounts of water.  You will do this until all of the mix looks the same and it has a consistency that isn’t dry or overly saturated.  It should resemble cookie dough.
  4. An easy way to check the consistency is to use the blade of your shovel like a knife and cut a shallow channel through the surface of the pre-mix concrete.  If the mix is too dry, the channel walls will crumble.  If it is too wet the channel will fill with water.  If it is too dry, add more water and if it is too wet, add more pre-mixed concrete. 

Please remember:

Since concrete dust can be caustic, make sure you are wearing protective eyewear, gloves and a face mask when you are mixing concrete.

What You Need

  • Shovel
  • Pre-mix concrete
  • Water
  • Wheelbarrow or tub in which to mix concrete.