Tag Archives: DIY

Winterize Your Home!

Fall is the perfect time of year to winterize your home, or perform maintenance that will keep your home in the best shape to get through the colder winter months and save on heating costs. Here are some helpful tips.

Starting on the outside, check the condition of your roof, gutters and downspouts. Clean out the gutters and install leaf guards if not already in place. Use a hose to spray water into the downspouts to remove any debris. Check the flashing and replace any loose or worn shingles or tiles to insure water cannot enter your house. If you have fireplaces, be sure to cap or screen the top of the chimneys to keep animals out. Hire a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote from the chimneys. Inspect the dampers for proper opening and closing. And, don’t forget to stock up on firewood!

Next, inspect your foundation and seal up any cracks or holes. Secure crawlspace entrances. Clear all leaves and debris away from the foundation. Insulate any exposed plumbing pipes to prevent freezing. Check all exterior doors and windows for tight seals. Seal/caulk any cracks and replace any cracked or broken window glass. Switch out summer screens with the glass replacements. If you have older model windows, consider covering them with plastic to keep warm air inside and cold air out. Install weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering your home. If you have ceiling fans in your home, now is the time to change the rotation direction: counter-clockwise rotation produces cooling breezes and clockwise rotation produces warmer air.

Finally, if you have central heat and air, get your furnace and ducts inspected and cleaned by an HVAC professional. Remove any flammable materials from the area surrounding your furnace. Be sure to change your furnace filters each month. Purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries and change them out when daylight savings time ends on November 1. If you don’t have these detectors, purchase, install and test them to assure your family’s safety during the coming colder months.

For more tips on how to winterize your home, come by and see our experts at Action Rental and Sales at 1861 N. Eastman Road in Kingsport, TN, call us at 423-246-5181, or check us out online at actionrentalkpt.com.

Keep Your Home Looking Great With Pressure Washing

 

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Every day you take actions to keep your home and car looking their best. Whether it is mowing your yard, washing your car, cleaning the inside of your home, trimming your hedges, sweeping your sidewalks or vacuuming your carpets, you take care of your property. However, one thing many people miss is pressuring washing the siding of their homes.

If you regularly pressure wash your home, it is much easier than you may think.  The longer you let dirt build up on the siding, the harder it is to clean.  Pressure washing is a quick and easy way to refresh your home’s exterior and make it look new again. In addition to your home, pressure washing your sidewalks and driveway help immensely.

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One things that stops a lot of people is that they don’t have the right equipment. However, Action Rentals can help and be your stop shop for pressure washing equipment. From your basic equipment to extra hoses, daily or weekly rentals, we’ve got what you need to make your home have that fresh, clean feeling once again!

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, visit our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, or give us a call at 423-246-5181.

Build a Deck!

It’s almost summertime, which means more evenings will be spent taking in those mild summer nights. Enjoy those evenings on a brand-new deck…and what’s more, build that brand-new deck yourself with the help of equipment rentals from Action Rentals!

Give your backyard a makeover. Create an “outdoor room” that is a great place for entertaining friends or letting your toddlers play.

Not only do you need to select the structural materials, and the decking type, there are post options and caps that can add elegance and personalize your deck.

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Follow these tips to ensure the smoothest building process:

  1. Foundations needs to be deeper the higher the deck is off the ground.
  2. For ground-level decking, go below the frost line.
  3. Post holes should be at least 24 inches deep. (Don’t forget the post-hole digger).
  4. Deck shape can be easily adjusted to any requirement with minimal woodworking skills.
  5. Decking boards can be straight, run diagonally, or you can create more complex chevron or square designs.
  6. Trim edges with a power saw or jig saw to create curves. You may need to use double joists to enable you to fix more complex designs.
  7. Newel posts need to be at least 36 inches high and support the balustrade at least every 6 feet. Railings are mandatory if the deck is over 20 inches off the ground.
  8. The frame for raised decking is constructed from pressure-treated lumber.
  9. On a concrete base, posts can be adhered to the ground using bolt-down post brackets.
  10. Safety first! A raised deck requires a handrail.

For help with this and any other DIY project, come see the experts at Action Rental & Sales in Kingsport, Tennessee. We have the tools and expertise to help you finish your “To-Do” List. Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website or call us at 423-246-5181 for a complete listing of products and pricing.

New Additions to the Action Fleet!

Spring is here and with it comes some new equipment for the Action Rentals Team!

The newest addition to our forklift crew is the 5519 Genie Forklift! With easy maneuverability and convenience of service, the 5519 Genie Forklift comes with a variety of rugged attachments accompanied by compact telehandlers to meet the needs of most construction, masonry, landscape and farming applications.

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A new member of our work platform group is the NiftyLift SD50. The SD50 combines the best of many self-propelled and trailer mounted ranges. With impressive reach capabilities, yet still maintaining a lightweight drivable base, the SD50 is a great fit for a wide range of projects and varying site conditions.

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Need excavation? Check out our new 35N Mini Excavator. With an impressive 26.5 horsepower water-cooled diesel engine with variable displacement piston pumps and two speed travel, the 35N is a great fit for your next project. The 35N comes standard with an A-F quick-change valve, a 10’ 4” digging depth, and an open-cab. For your next excavation project, consider the 35N Mini Excavator.

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For all of your project needs, come see the experts at Action Rental & Sales in Kingsport, Tennessee. We have the tools and expertise to help you finish your “To-Do” List. Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website or call us at 423-246-5181 for a complete listing of products and pricing.

Planning a Memorial Day Party!

The weather is warming, spring is coming! If you are like many and are thinking about having a Memorial Day get-together, now is the time to start planning! Here are some handy tips to make your event not only fun but hassle free!

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Budget – Create a budget that you can work within and that allows some wiggle room for any unexpected expenses.

Theme – Choosing a theme is sometimes the hardest part of planning! Pick a theme that fits you and your style.

Guests – Create a guest list and make sure to get the invites out in plenty of time for guests to get your event on their calendars!

Food – Determine your menu (if you are cooking, make as much as you can ahead of time to minimize cooking on the party day! Make a timeline for cooking, freezing, thawing, reheating etc.) If it is a potluck, assign the dishes. Consider any extras you might need and make sure you have the serving dishes that you will need as well.

Timeline – Create a timeline of events / tasks that you need to accomplish for the party! Plan realistically, and don’t overload yourself right before the party, try and spread as many of the tasks as possible out over time. Also, make sure to include any tasks that you need others to do on this list as well.

Ice and coolers – With warmer weather, make sure you have enough ice and coolers on hand for your event.

Music – Use music to help set the atmosphere to match your theme! Playlists can be created well ahead of time, and all you have to do on the party day is turn on the music!

Relax and have fun – This is the piece of advice we give people most often. You’ve done your planning, now, relax and enjoy time spent with friends and family.

For help planning your next party, stop by and see the experts at Action Rental and Sales! We look forward to showcasing the wide variety of party rental items we have. From chairs to china to lighting to tents to linens and more we have everything you need to have the best event in town! Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website or call us at 423-246-5181.

Project Safety and You!

Whether you are at home or on a job site, safety is of utmost importance! The entire Action Rentals team takes safety seriously and we encourage our clients to as well. Here are some handy tips to help you stay safe during your projects!

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–     If your project involves using chemicals, make sure to read the labels and FOLLOW all manufacturer instructions and warning labels.

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

–     Protect your vision! Safety glasses or dust glasses will help protect against flying particles and chemical goggles will protect against exposure to fertilizers and pesticides

–     Be observant. Be aware of anything that could harm you or your family (power lines, water lines, trees, etc).

–     Check your lawn for any debris prior to 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.

–     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 or call us at 423-246-5181

Spring Lawn Care Tips

As spring approaches, many of us start to focus on our lawns! Remember, spring is a very important time for your yard and here are some tips to help your lawn be spring and summer ready!

While it is important to do yard work, we urge you to wait until the soil is drier. Foot traffic and hard raking will compact soggy soil and can damage tender new grass shoots. As the soil dries, remove leaves and fallen debris. Also, gently rake as this helps not only fluff up but also separates the grass shoots!

Spring is also a wonderful time to conduct a soil test to determine if your soil needs any alterations. You can apply lime to acidic soil (pH below 6) anytime during the growing season, contingent upon the grass being wilted or covered with frost. Note – do not apply lime within 3 weeks of fertilizing as the ingredients will react and become less effective.

If you decide to aerate your lawn, make sure to wait until the lawn has been mowed 2 – 3 times in that season so that you can make sure it is growing fast enough to recover from the aeration.

As soon as you see that your yard needs to be mowed, begin mowing! Remember, grass blades do best when cut no more than a third of the blade’s length at a time.

Spring is also a great chance to make sure your lawn equipment is ready for the coming season! Make sure the blade is sharpened and everything on the lawn mower is ready to go!

For more information and for all lawn care and light construction needs, come see the experts at Action Rental & Sales in Kingsport, Tennessee. Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website or call us at 423-246-5181.

DIY – How to Install A Ceramic Tile Floor

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If you are like many, this New Year has brought you a new list of “To-Do” items. If installing a ceramic tile floor is one of those “To-Do’s” here is a list of instructions on how to do it! At Action Rental & Sales Equipment Division, we have the tools you need to turn your next “To-Do” item into a “Done” item!

Step 1: Before you begin, get a general sense of how level the floor is. If you see any deep holes or dents, it might be necessary to prepare some quick-drying, self-leveling cement from a hardware store. Pour the cement mixture into any deep trenches and let it sit for at least 24 hours.

Step 2: Once the floor is level, chip away any old mortar and then thoroughly clean the surface. To make sure the surface is truly clean, you will probably need to do this more than once. Remember, the less dirt on the floor, the easier it will be for the cement to form a strong seal between the tile and ground. Next, remove any trim or other fixtures around the wall at floor level. Make sure to check and see if you have enough clearance by stacking two tiles on top of each other near any doors.

Step 3: Now that the surface is clean, lay out and diagram exactly how you want the tile to be placed. Measure the dimensions of the room, and pick a spot in the center to start. Use blue chalk to mark a cross pattern into the floor. Work your way out from the center. This will save you time so that you are using mostly whole tiles and only have to cut the ones that will be placed along the wall edges.

Step 4: You will want to get the mortar to a peanut-butter like consistency. You can do this by adding water. Helpful Hint – prepare small batches as you go as the mixture hardens as time passes. An easy way to do this is by attaching a paint-mixing bit to an electric drill. Use a notched floor trowel to scoop out a glob and spread it evenly across the floor using the flat side. You don’t need a lot but enough to evenly coat the floor. Once the area is covered, flip the trowel and use the grooved side to spread it at a 45-degree angle.

Step 5: Spread tile adhesive on the back-side of the tile in a fairly thin layer. This application, along with the trenches on the floor, will ensure a permanent and strong bond between tile and ground. Gently place (do not slide) the tiles. Use spacers to maintain constant grout lines if you prefer, but it is also fine just to eyeball it. Repeat until all whole tiles have been placed. Once you hit a wall or a space that requires a cut tile, simply measure out the dimensions and use a tile cutter to form the proper shape.

Step 6: Once the floor is completely covered, mix the grout to a frozen-yogurt-type consistency, keeping in mind that small amounts go a long way. You want the grout to fall into the spaces you’ve left between the tiles yet, still be easy to spread. Next, place some of the grout on the tiles and use a grout float to spread it evenly around. Make sure there aren’t gaps or bubbles. Scrape off any excess by wiping diagonally across the tiles. Follow the scraping with a wet sponge. Helpful Hint – Have a bucket filled with water on hand to wash out the excess. It will take a few passes with a sponge to remove the entire residue from the tile surfaces. Let tiles stand for 24 hours.

For help with this and any other DIY project, come see the experts at Action Rental & Sales in Kingsport, Tennessee. We have the tools and expertise to help you finish your “To-Do” List. Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website  or call us at 423-246-5181 for a complete listing of products and pricing.

 

How to Use a Trencher

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First, turn the fuel switch on and give it a little bit of choke. Next, turn on the key switch and lower the throttle a bit. Once that is done, shift the transmission into neutral and ensure that the hydraulic pump is off. When trenching, the wheels will need to be locked in place. To move the unit, disengage the wheels. Once the unit is running, give it some gas, activate the hydraulic pump and pop the transmission into forward.

Once you are located where you want to start digging, make sure to engage the wheels so they work together. Turn the throttle up, start the chain and auger spinning and then lower the bar into the earth. Next, lower it to the depth you want. Remember, getting it to the depth you want can take a few moments, so be patient. Once you are at the depth you want, the auger will be pushing dirt off to the side. You can control the speed by using the transmission controls.

Now you are ready to move! Once your bar is all the way down, shift your machine into reverse and start moving backward. Make sure that you are NOT in front of your machine while it is operating as it throws dirt and rocks in a forward direction.

As always, make sure you call 811 before you dig!

For trenchers and all your other light construction needs, come see the experts at Action Rental & Sales in Kingsport, Tennessee. Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website or call us at 423-246-5181.

How to Winterize your House

Although it might not feel cold outside, now is the perfect time to start preparing their home for winter, a.k.a. winterizing. As the temperature drops, it won’t be as easy to get out and do the projects needed to help keep your home in great shape through the colder months.

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1. De-clutter gutters

Even if you don’t have trees close to your home, rain gutters are still able to collect debris and should be cleaned out before winter. By keeping gutters clean, you are helping prevent ice from building up which can cause gutters to come loose or damage to the roof. While you are cleaning the gutters, make sure to check for loose joints or any other structural problems.

2. Say No to drafts

An easy way to help winterize your home (and help with the power bill) is to find and stop drafts in your home. Start with your attic areas and access panels followed by the basement and then windows and doors. Once you find any areas that are letting air in or out, you can seal them with a good quality insulation, caulk, weather stripping or window film. One helpful hint, when caulking, make sure to remove the old caulk first.

3. Seal the drive

Snow, ice, salt and shovels can really take a toll on your driveway. If you have it sealcoated every three years, that will help to prevent costly repairs or replacement down the road. In addition to not only looking nicer and protecting the asphalt, the darker color will also help to melt snow more quickly in the winter.

4. Trim the trees

Winter weather can mean ice, snow, cold windy days and more. All of these contribute to breaking limbs off of trees and potentially causing home and property damage. First start looking for obvious problems, such as limbs hanging over wires, the driveway and most importantly the house.

5. Chimney check

Thinking about having the fireplace cleaned and serviced when you are still using your air conditioner is tough, but it is one of the most important winterizing projects possible. By keeping your fireplace cleaned and properly maintained you not only increase its heating efficiency, but you also ensure your family’s safety during the winter months.

For more winterizing tips, come see the experts at Action Rental & Sales in Kingsport, Tennessee. Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website or call us at 423-246-5181.