• Understanding R-Value

    If your energy bills just keep climbing, you may want to take a look at your insulation. R-value is the measure by which the effectiveness of your insulation is determined. If your home’s R-value is insufficient, you can rent tools to improve it.

    Watch this video to learn about insulation and R-values. R-value refers to how much resistance your insulation has to heat loss. The higher the R-value, the less heat loss you will experience. The specific R-value that is right for your home will depend on the climate in which you live.

    A Tool Shed offers a range of equipment rentals to help with insulation installation and all of the other jobs you want to do around your home. For more information about renting tools in San Jose, call (800) 286-6574.

  • Are Popcorn Ceilings Outdated?

    Popcorn ceilings—ceilings with bumpy textures—were once a popular home décor choice, but now that styles have changed, many homeowners are still left with this look overhead. Some people question whether popcorn ceilings are outdated—and some even wonder if they could be dangerous. Should you start looking into tools to smooth out your popcorn ceiling?

    Some popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, which can be very dangerous when disturbed if not handled carefully. However, even if your ceilings don’t contain asbestos, popcorn ceilings are definitely past their prime in terms of style. If you plan to sell your home, renting equipment to get rid of your popcorn ceiling could be a smart investment.

    A Tool Shed has a wide range of tool rental available, from drills to forklifts and everything in between. Start crossing items off your to-do list with out tool rentals in San Jose . To find out which of our seven locations is most convenient for you, call (800) 286-6574.

  • Here’s What You’ll Need to Build a Treehouse

    If your children love the outdoors, they’ll be blown away when they see a finished treehouse in their very own backyard. The finished product has to be as safe, sturdy, and secure as possible, and you’ll need the right tools and equipment to build the platform, walls, and roof of the house. Read ahead and see what you’ll need to build a treehouse.

    Platform
    You’re going to be working with a whole lot of wood when you make your treehouse, so tools like saws and drills will be a big part of your arsenal. You’ll need the right drill bit to pre-drill holes for the coach screws. Before anything is permanently connected, use safety ropes to hang the planks in place. Even after the planks are screwed into place, don’t put any weight on the platform until you’ve added support beams. Unless your tree is perfectly even, you’ll cut your support beams at different lengths.

    Walls
    You could build your walls up on top of the existing platform, but it’s usually easier to put them together on the ground. Then you can connect each finished wall and begin to piece the treehouse together. In this case you’ll also need safety ropes to support the weight of each wall. Like the platform, walls will require beams and screws. In contrast to the floor of the treehouse, the walls require the use of a power drill.

    Roof
    Double check the platform and the walls of your treehouse before moving onto the roof. The construction of your roof depends on its design, and attention to detail is just as important. The angles might be a little bit different here, so use precision tools and ask for a second opinion while putting the roof together.

    Do you have all the San Jose tool rentals you need to build a treehouse for your kids? The equipment experts at A Tool Shed can help you find what you need. Whatever kind of tools you need for your project, see what we can do by calling 1 (800) 286-6574.

  • Spring Maintenance Projects for Your Home

    Tool Rental San Jose

    Spring is just around the corner, and as you come out of hibernation, you should make a checklist of home repairs you don’t want to leave until summer and the rental equipment you’ll need to get them done. Grab your tools, check the attic, and inspect your walls, because it’s time to do some spring cleaning and maintenance around the house. Here are a few projects to get you started.

    Examine Wood Trim
    Spring rains can wear out and damage any wood pieces on the outside of your home, especially if they are already old and weathered. In order to avoid issues throughout the rest of the year, use a screwdriver to carefully probe exposed wood and ensure that it is still in good condition. If you find wood that is soft and splinters easily, make repairs now to avoid additional issues.

    Check Your Roof
    One of the most important components of your home is the part that covers it! Your roof stops the elements from entering and destroying your home and possessions. If your roof leaks , you could be facing high repair costs and an unneeded, stressful situation. Use a ladder to carefully climb on the roof, and check for broken shingles, debris buildup, and any weak spots. You should also check your home’s attic. Critters might have used your attic to stay warm in the winter, or you could have moisture in the attic. If your attic feels drafty, consider renting an insulation blower to add insulation to this area of your home. This will help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and improve your home’s energy efficiency.

    Inspect Your Foundation
    Just as important as your roof is your foundation. Your house won’t be livable without a solid foundation. Check for cracks and leaks throughout your concrete foundation, as well as in the surrounding property. Catch problems now so you can avoid having to use a jackhammer to address foundation issues.

    A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals is here with all of your equipment rental and tool rental needs. From tractor rentals to propane sales in San Jose , we have exactly what you need to make sure your home is ready for spring. Call us at 1(800) 286-6574 to learn more about how we can help you.

  • Tips for Improving the Efficiency of Your Attic

    Does your home feel too cold in the winter and too warm in the summer? This could be because your attic is not as efficient as it should be. By using tool rentals, you can improve your attic’s efficiency and keep your home more comfortable. Better efficiency will prevent air from escaping through your attic and cut down on your energy costs. Use tools for rent and follow these steps to make your attic more efficient.

    Seal your attic so excessive amounts of air aren’t able to enter it.
    There are many ways that air from outside can end up inside of your attic. If you have a window in your attic space with a crack in it or chimney and pipe flashings that aren’t sealed on your roof, air will often work its way into your attic through those small spaces. It might not seem like much, but that air can impact the temperature of your entire home. There are tools like caulking guns that you can use to seal up any leaks that exist.

    Make sure your attic space is insulated properly.
    While you want to keep air from outside out of your attic, you also want to prevent air from inside your home from making its way up into your attic. The best way to do that is to install fresh insulation in your attic space. Insulation works to prevent air from rising and entering your attic. You likely lose a lot of heat in the winter through your attic, so you should make an effort to limit heat loss with insulation.

    Ventilate your attic space to limit problems with moisture in your attic.
    Ventilating your attic properly can be tricky, so you should consult with a contractor to do it. They will use the right equipment to ventilate your attic so that moisture doesn’t build up inside of it and cause mold and mildew to grow.

    A Tool Shed Equipment Rental carries a wide selection of tools for rent in San Jose. Call us at (877) 890-2963 to find out how we can help you make your attic more efficient.

  • Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

    While winter is mild in most of Northern California, there are still ways to prepare your home for cooler weather. For the tools you need to get the job done, come to A Tool Shed, which offers new tools, used tools, and equipment rentals in San Jose for a great value. Keep reading to see which tasks and repairs will prepare your home for winter.

    Windows and Doors

    Check the weatherstripping around each window and door in your home. If you feel or see any leaks, replace the weatherstripping. If you use a lot of heat in the wintertime, replace the screen doors in your home with storm doors . Inspect all wooden door and window frames for signs of rotting or decaying. Replace or repair the frames to maintain energy efficiency and structural integrity. Examine doors and windows for drafts, cracks, gaps, and broken glass. Use the appropriate tools to caulk inside and out to prevent heat from escaping.

    HVAC Systems

    If you have a fireplace, inspect it carefully for signs of warping, rusting, and wear and tear. Clean or replace the air filter for optimal indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working. If you do not yet have a programmable thermostat, install one to save on heating costs this winter.

    Other Considerations

    Install insulating devices on exterior outlets and switch plates to prevent air from seeping into the house. Switch ceiling fans into clockwise motion before you turn on the heat, so that they blow warm air to the ground for improved comfort and energy efficiency. Flush the water heater tank to clean it out, and inspect the pressure relief valve to be sure it works.

    For the new or used tools you need to prepare your home for winter, visit A Tool Shed. Call us at (877) 890-2963 or visit our website for more information.

  • Choosing the Perfect Barbeque

    On temperate California evenings, a barbeque is a host’s finest tool. If you don’t barbeque often, you may consider rental equipment in San Jose for your next grilling occasion.

    Your first choice is between fuel sources. Coal, gas, and electricity are your options. Customizability is the benefit of coal; different types of briquettes and lump charcoals offer distinct flavors, but they require some time to heat thoroughly before you can start grilling. Electric burners are cleaner and safe for indoors, but many find a lack of fire undesirable in a social barbeque setting. Using gas gives you complete control of the flame, which you can turn on or off at any time.

    Consider your space. Large, smoke-billowing charcoal barbeques can be ideal in large yards, but small gas grills are less obtrusive in tightly packed communities. Many apartments ban all non-electric grills. Also think about features. Built-in thermometers, weatherproofed exteriors, protective covers, cooking racks, rotisserie attachments, and smoke boxes—which grillers fill with wood chips for smoky flavor infusions—are only a few of the myriad options available.

    If you are interested in renting or buying new or used equipment for your next barbeque , visit one of A Tool Shed’s seven California locations, or call us at 1(877) 890-2963.