It seems hard to think about fall maintenance while it is still warm and sunny outside. However, since our region can cool down quite quickly, it is best for you and your home to take a weekend and tackle these fall home prep tips. Here’s a few fall home improvements and “musts” that help maintain your home’s value, year after year, while possibly saving you money on costly home repairs in the long run.

One of the first items on your list of fall home improvement projects is to address any window problems or issues. This is easy to do by making sure all windows are caulked and that the seals between windows are snug and will not let in water. While checking windows, it is also an excellent time to check for drafty windows and doors.

Next on the list should be thoroughly checking your furnace to ensure everything is in good order. While it is a bit uncomfortable to have the heat at full blast on a hot day, however, it should not take very long to make sure that the furnace is working. While you are letting your furnace run, it might be a good time to check your pipes. For more information on freezing pipe prevention, check here for a blog we posted last year!

Now it is time to head outside to continue your fall home prep.  Make sure the chimney is clear of bird nests and that the chimney cap is still in place. Also, make sure to be on the lookout for anything that could be a fire hazard. While you are on the rooftop take the time to inspect your gutters for any debris. After the wind and rain this summer it is vital that your gutters are cleaned before the fall season. If this step is neglected you could wake up to a gutter full of frozen leaves, ice and snow and increase the risk of a roof leak. This is one fall home improvement project that definitely can save hundreds of dollars.

After completing your inspection of the chimney and gutters take some time to walk your property looking for any weak tree limbs that may cause damage to your home or surrounding power lines.

While inspecting your home, don’t neglect your mailbox, which is often overlooked during fall maintenance projects. A lopsided or old mailbox is likely to fall over when winter comes along and snow piles up. Besides, it doesn’t add much of a finishing touch to an otherwise nice home. So take some time and pay attention to your mailbox while completing your fall chores.

A final tip that may seem odd… Take a photo of your garden as you empty garden pots of dirt and put them away in the garden shed for the year. Ever forgotten to tend to your garden while tending to your fall home improvements? It can be a major mistake because spring can greet you with the sight of broken and shattered pots. It is a bit easier to head into fall if you have some reminders of our garden to comfort you during the long winters. So we take photos of garden arrangements and plants that were particularly liked, serving as inspiration for next year’s garden.

Here’s to a great fall season and a minimum of home repairs!

Call or come by the store with any questions you may have.

Action Rentals and Sales

1861 N Eastman Rd
Kingsport, TN 37664

Phone:423-246-5181
1-800-8RENTAL
 Fax: 423-246-7051

MON-FRI 7:30-5:30
SAT 7:30-3:00pm
CLOSED SUNDAY

 

We’ve all been in the position where we have said to ourselves, “This would be so much easier if I only had (insert your own answer here).” In Kingsport, Paul and Debbie Nottingham have built a business focused on helping people have that item when they need it, for as long as they need it, and the company is celebrating 30 years of success.  

 

For the past three decades, people in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia have relied on Action Rentals for high-quality tools and equipment in good working order. The company’s experienced professionals provide a superior level of service, showing customers how to properly use the equipment they rent and answering any questions they may have.

 

“A happy customer is a repeat customer, and we want to be our customers’ first choice whether they call on us every week or just occasionally,” says Paul. “Our folks know how to use everything we rent, and we take time to show our customers how to use the equipment so they will get the best possible results from their effort.”

 

Nottingham says the company’s customer base falls into three primary categories: do-it-yourselfers, professional contractors, and people planning events.

 

Event planners use the company’s tent and party rental division, which was established in 1995 in response to customer demand. Debbie Nottingham and her team work with customers who need everything from linens for a wedding reception to a cotton candy machine for an employee event or an inflatable for a child’s birthday party.

 

“We encounter quite a few customers who don’t plan events on a regular basis,” explains Debbie. “It’s really enjoyable to show people all that we offer and help them plan an event that is both successful and memorable.” 

 

So the next time you find yourself in the predicament of pondering how much easier a job would be with a certain tool or how much better your party would go with say, a chocolate fountain, remember Action Rentals. Chances are they have just what you need.

 

Action Rentals and Sales is located at 1861 North Eastman Road in Kingsport. Hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. To learn more, please call (423) 246-5181 or 1-800-8RENTAL or see the company’s web site at www.actionrentalkpt.com.

When we’re in the midst of the dog days of summer, it’s hard to focus on winterizing your yard. But it’s a job you should go ahead and plan out now so you are ready to proceed when the time comes.

Autumn is the time to winterize your yard and landscaping, typically from late October to mid-November. In order to be effective, you should winterize before freezing weather. Once the ground is frozen, you need to wait for spring.

Applying fertilizer will prepare your yard for a long winter’s nap. A high-quality spreader will ensure even coverage. The roots of your lawn will absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer and store them through the winter. Fertilizer used to winterize your lawn should have a lower nitrogen content and higher potassium content than what you would use during the summer. These nutrients will help jumpstart your lawn when it begins growing in the spring.

In addition to fertilizing your yard, you will want to keep it mowed to about 1.5 inches during fall and winter. The shorter height will allow moisture to escape. This is important because it allows moisture to escape. Excessive moisture can cause a number of common lawn diseases. You also need to keep leaves raked out of your yard to prevent mold from developing during a wet winter.

While preparing your lawn is an important part of winterization, autumn is also the time for pruning and trimming many trees and shrubs.

When pruning or trimming, remember to proceed gently. Over-pruning can cause lasting damage. Electrical or gas-powered clippers can make the job much faster, but avoid being too aggressive. It is important to remove crossed branches to open space at the heart of the plant. Too much shearing can remove flower buds that are poised to bloom in the spring. Some plants require specialized pruning. A little homework will ensure that your work is beneficial to the plant.  

Once you have trimmed your shrubs and trees, it’s time for a new layer of mulch. A good wheelbarrow will let you easily maneuver the mulch exactly where you need it. Mulch will help insulate your plants during winter and help keep weeds down during the following spring and summer.

If you have an irrigation system, winterization is critical in order to avoid costly repairs. When temperatures drop below freezing, any water left in the lines of an irrigation system can freeze and expand, rupturing the lines. Pressurized air can be used to blow out the water in your irrigation system, eliminating the potential hazard of frozen water lines.

A little time winterizing your yard this fall will have a major impact on your home’s curb appeal next spring. With the right tools, the entire process is much faster. Count on Action Rentals for all the tools you need. For more information, please call (423) 246-5181 or 1-800-8RENTAL or see our web site at http://www.actionrentalkpt.com.

Action Rentals & Sales would like to extend a note of appreciation to all of our customers. We have enjoyed assisting each of you the last thirty years and are looking forward to the next thirty!

It’s Action Rentals’ anniversary,
and the community is invited to help celebrate this milestone.

            Action
Rentals began serving customers with rental equipment in 1982. Since that time,
the company has grown to be a leading supplier of rental equipment in the
Tri-Cities region, and its inventory has greatly expanded. In 1995, ActionRentals started its party division, serving the needs of individuals and
organizations that needed everything from linens to chocolate fountains and
dance floors.

            “The
Tri-Cities region has been good to us. We have made many customers and friends
during our three decades serving the area’s rental needs, and it shows in our
recent Readers’ Choice designation from the Kingsport Times-News,” says Paul Nottingham, owner of Action Rentals.
“Our 30^th anniversary party is a way to celebrate our success as
well as an opportunity to thank all those people who have helped us succeed.”

            ActionRentals will celebrate its 30^th anniversary on Wednesday, July 25,
from 11 am to 2 pm at its headquarters located at 1861 North Eastman Road in
Kingsport. Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded.
Customers, vendors and people in the community are invited to attend.

Action Rentals and Sales, founded in 1982,
offers a comprehensive selection of tool and equipment rentals as well as party
supplies. Action Rentals and Sales serves customers throughout Northeast
Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. For more information, please call (423)
246-5181 or 1-800-8RENTAL or see the company’s web site at http://www.actionrentalkpt.com.

Weddings are one of the largest and
most important events if a person’s life. Because they are so important,
planning a wedding can often times be a complicated adventure. One frequently
over-looked component of a successful, stress-free wedding is the tents.
Choosing the best tent option is easy when a few things are kept in mind.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TENT

As a tent’s primary function is to
provide shelter, make sure that the construction is sound.  Tent rentals for a wedding are an
essential part of the planning process. 
With the unpredictable nature of weather, tents provide not only shelter
for your guests from heat, rain and other elements, but also help with the
overall atmosphere of your wedding. 
A majority of wedding tents are white, so that they provide a blank
canvas on which to paint a beautiful and memorable event.

WHAT TYPES OF TENTS ARE THERE?

There are a variety of tent types
that Action Rentals offers, below are some of the most common!

Frame Tents

The ease of use with frame tents
makes these a winner in the tent world. Easy to move and assemble, frame style
tents do not need to be staked to the ground. Their sturdy construction and
rigid frame allow easy hanging of lights and décor.

High Peak Frame Tents

When looking at the tent options ActionRentals has to offer, choosing the high peak frame tent is a great choice.
These tents have majestic peaks and will make a great addition to the grounds
of your wedding or reception lending a sense of royalty. Add some cathedral
style walls with windows and these tents can host the ceremony. They don’t need
to be staked to the ground and come in various sizes to accommodate one’s
imagination.

Pole Tents

These are the most traditional type
of tents with the stakes and side poles. The preferred choice for windy days or
unpredictable weather, pole tents are versatile especially when walls are
added. If it’s nippy out or windy, the walls can roll down to shelter the
guests and maintain a comfortable temperature. Remember though, pole tents will
require extra room around their perimeter to allow for staking space.

Selecting the right size

One of the most common mistakes
people make when it comes to wedding tent rentals is renting tents that are
either too small or too large. If a tent is too small, guests will be crowded
and uncomfortable. If the weather turns wet or cools off, there won’t be enough
room to hold everyone. Too large and it feels impersonal and cold.

Logistics and Design Ideas

Using satellite tents around the
main tents will add to the luxury and convenience for the guests and the happy
couple. Here are some ideas…

• Bride/ Bridesmaids’ tent.
• Provide child-care with a nursery and play tent.
• A baby tent for changing, nursing or just a quiet
  relaxed place to calm a little one.
• A separate bar tent can provide a cozy lounge
  atmosphere.
• An outside tent for people to get some fresh air or
  cool off from dancing.
• Outside weddings often rely on portable restroom
  facilities, supply guests with a tented powder room and a sheltered place to
  wait their turn.
• Have extra pop up tents handy in case of space
  emergencies.

When looking for wedding tent
rentals keep these important points in mind, come by Action Rentals and let us
help you choose the perfect tents to compliment your wedding.  Action Rentals is available to assist
all East Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Western North
Carolina.

Come see us at :

1861 North Eastman Road, Kingsport TN 37664

423-246-5181

So what do you have planned
this summer? Are you planning to install the underground dog fence to keep
Rover from, well, roving? Is it finally time to add curb appeal with
low-voltage lighting? Maybe you’ve decided it’s time for a sprinkler system. If
you have any type of job planned where trenches need to be dug, you need to
give serious consideration to using a walk-behind trencher.

 

Certainly you can accomplish
your goal with hand tools. But you’ll save quite a bit of time with the proper
power tool, such as a walk-behind trencher. Even more important than your time,
you’ll save your back with this handy tool. Unless you are a professional
landscaper, you probably only need a trencher once or twice. Fortunately,
Action Rental and Sales has trenchers available for rent, allowing you to get
your job done with minimal investment.

 

For projects where a narrow
trench is needed for burial of underground electric lines, water lines, etc., a
trencher offers many benefits over other types of digging equipment such as
excavators. Trenchers create a smooth floor and smooth sides. In addition,
trench floors are even, which is difficult to accomplish with an excavator.
Trenchers also grind the soil into a fine state as it is removed. This makes
that soil ideal for use as backfill.

 

Regardless of how you dig
your trench, the first step should always be a simple phone call to 811. About
a week before you start your job, make the call, and they will send all
utilities to your dig site to mark any underground wires and pipes. Trenching
unmarked ground is a major safety hazard. As the old saying goes, “If you break
it, you buy it.” That’s true for any underground utilities you damage. And the
fact is that monetary loss could be the least of your worries in this
situation. The call to 811 is free, and it’s definitely worth your time.

 

Once you know it’s safe to
run a trench on your site, you can plan out the area where you plan to dig.
Landscape paint, similar to what the utility companies will use to mark
underground lines, is an easy way to mark your path. If you are renting a
walk-behind trencher, pay special attention to the safety precautions. The team
at Action Rental and Sales will walk you through the process of operating any
of our trenchers. Here are a few safety tips that apply to all trenchers:

–       
Wear appropriate protective
equipment, such as a hard hat, safety glasses, ear protection and protective
boots.

–       
Never wear loose
clothing or jewelry that can catch on the trencher during use.

–       
Keep onlookers away from
the jobsite while operating the trencher.

Like any tool, a walk-behind trencher takes a little
practice to get the hang of how it is used. Following these tips will help keep
you on the right track as you use the tool to complete your project:

–       
Before starting, perform
a worksite inspection, taking note of all obstructions, drop-offs and steep
slopes.

–       
Operate the trencher’s
engine at full throttle while trenching.

–       
Start the trencher
before lowering the cutting parts to the ground.

–       
Avoid making sharp,
sudden turns while trenching.

 

With
proper site preparation, the right tools and a little practice, a walk-behind
trencher is sure to speed your landscaping project. The pros at Action Rentaland Sales are glad to help you choose the trencher that is right for your job,
and they will show you how to use it. If you need delivery and pick-up of the
trencher, they can arrange that as well. So if this summer’s project requires
digging of trenches, remember you can save both time and your back with the
right tool: a walk-behind trencher.

Need help on a
project?  Let Action Rentals new L39 Kubato Backhoe help!

 

What is a
backhoe?

A backhoe (can also
be referenced as a back actor or a rear actor) is a common piece of equipment
that is used for excavating or digging. 

 

What can I
use a backhoe for?

Backhoe
loaders are used for a variety of tasks, everything from construction, light
transportation of some building materials, minor demolition, digging holes /
excavation, breaking of asphalt, landscaping, paving roads, and more. 
Additionally, the bucket on the backhoe can be replaced with various powered
attachments (such as a grapple, auger, breaker or stump grinder!). 

 

What do I need to
know about backhoes?

Backhoes are
intrinsically top-heavy by design and the swinging weight of the backhoe can
cause the vehicle to tip if caution is not used.  Additionally, most
backhoe loaders utilize hydraulic outriggers only on the back when digging and
lowering the loader bucket to provide additional stability.  Thus, the
bucket must be raised and the outriggers retracted if the vehicle needs to
change positions.

 

The relatively small
frame and precise control helps to make backhoe-loaders incredibly useful and
quite common in engineering, construction, and repair projects in areas that
are too small to accommodate larger equipment. 

 

L39 KubatoBackhoe

Recently, smaller,
compact tractors from Kubota and other manufacturers have increased in
popularity among private homeowners.  These devices allow private
homeowners and contractors to perform projects in limited space while
maintaining their budget.

 

If you are interested in learning more about ActionRentals & Sales newest L39 Kubato backhoe, come by our office at 1861 North
Eastman Road, Kingsport, TN or call us at 423-246-5181 or visit us online at http://www.actionrentalkpt.com

Spring
marks the start of a new social season.  With everything from graduation
parties, Cinco de Mayo parties, Derby events, and many more, spring is chock
full of exciting opportunities to celebrate!  Let the professionals at
Action Rentals help you create memories that will last a lifetime!

 

If
you are planning a graduation celebration, don’t forget to make it kid-friendly
with our wide selection of inflatables and games available for a day or for a
week!  With everything from bounce houses and obstacle courses to
basketball hoops and dunk tanks, Action Rentals has everything you need to help
all the kids and kids at heart have a memorable event.

 

Be
sure to book your festive-colored linens, tables and chairs for your Cinco de
Mayo event. We have a wide selection of colors, sizes and styles.  If you
have questions, our experienced professionals can help you select décor that is
sure to impress!

 

For
a Derby party, with the warm weather and sunshine, check out our extensive
selection of tents to provide shade to your group.  Also, we have tables
and linens that will complement your decorating theme!

 

With
spring here and your party planning under way, stop by Action Rentals in
Kingsport and let us help you host an amazing party that your guests will talk
about for years to come!  Call us at Action Rentals – 423.246.5181!