• Essential Lawn Care Tips

    A beautiful lawn is no accident. It takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of TLC to turn a patch of grass into a lush, green lawn. If you’re getting serious about lawn care, there are two tips you should know: Mow high and fertilize in the fall. Cutting the grass higher will shade the soil, which has the effect of preventing weed seeds from sprouting and requiring less water during the spring and summer. Fertilizing in the fall is like giving your lawn a winter coat, helping it through the cold months and enabling it to green up quickly in the spring.

    Watch this video to learn more about these essential lawn maintenance tips. For all the tools and equipment you need to keep your lawn looking its best, come to A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals in San Jose. From our six convenient Bay Area locations we provide all the lawn and garden equipment rentals you need. Visit our website to browse our selection of rental tools and equipment, or call us at (877) 890-2963 to speak with one of our equipment rental specialists.

  • The Benefits of a Privacy Fence

    There are many used tools for sale in San Jose that can be used to install a privacy fence. But before you invest in any tools or rental equipment, it’s good to know about the benefits of having a privacy fence on your property.

    Color
    If you’re looking to decorate your yard, a privacy fence could be incorporated into various design styles. Since most privacy fences are made from materials that take easily to paint, you could have your fence suit a variety of color schemes. Other design options include staining the fence for an earthier look, or using the fence to hang and arrange greenery.

    Variety
    There are numerous advantages that come with shopping for a privacy fence. For one, there’s plenty of styles to choose from, whether you want solid picket, solid gothic, solid diagonal, staggered horizontal, or any other vastly different design. Privacy fences also come in a range of materials, from metal and vinyl to various types of wood.

    Privacy
    With the installation of a privacy fence, your property will have a clear, sealed-off boundary from the outside . This will keep strangers, children, and stray pets from wandering into your yard; it will also prevent people from gazing into your private quarters, both from the street and from nearby windows. A fence can even serve as a good barrier from the noise of passing cars, low-altitude aircrafts, and neighboring households.

    Durability
    With basic, annual maintenance, a privacy fence could last well beyond your occupancy of a given property. As long as the fence is coated with a finish, it will withstand the usual elements of rain, snow, hail, wind, and heat. If any of the fasteners loosen over time, they can easily be replaced with proper tools. Sandpaper can be used to remove rusting, should any form.

    Visit one of the six locations of A Tool Shed for all of your equipment rental needs, or call us at (831) 359-4769 to learn more about our tools and rental equipment.

  • Your Guide to Using a Post Hole Digger

    When you’re installing a fence and seeking tools for rent in San Jose, a post hole digger could be among your most valuable tools. Before you start, evaluate the soil’s thickness to determine whether a manual or electric digger would work best. Measure and mark where each hole should go so that the posts properly aligned. If possible, dig soon after a rainfall; the moistened ground will make things easier.

    Puncture the soil by dropping the digger straight into the ground with its jaw open. Lift and drop the digger several times around the same spot until the hole is spread to a foot in diameter, then work the digger further into the ground. Brace the dirt within the jaws of the digger and set aside in a pile, several feet away. Keep plunging until the hole is at least a foot deep. To support a 4-ft.-high post, you’ll need a 1-ft.-deep hole; for an 8-ft.-high post, you’ll need a 2-ft.-deep whole.

    With seven outlets, A Tool Shed can serve all your tool rental needs. To hear more about our equipment rentals, call us at (831) 359-4769.

  • Replacing a Tile Floor

    When the time comes to remodel a bathroom, the replacement of old tile is usually one of the first steps. Whether you’re replacing the tile because it’s worn out or you just want something new, you should make sure you have the right tools before commencing with the following steps.

    Remove All Fixtures

    Whether or not you stick with the same toilet, sink, and vanity as before, they should at least be temporarily removed for the retiling process. Having those things out of the way will prevent them from being damaged during retiling; it will also give you more room to un-tile and retile, and it will make it easier to lay tile under those fixtures. If the bathtub is going to be replaced, remove it before you commence with retiling.

    Remove the Old Tile

    Before you lay the first of the new tiles, the old ones must be completely removed. A good place to start is at gaps in the tile, such as in the spot where the toilet usually sits. If the tile is stuck tight, use a hammer to crack and break it loose. A pry bar is good for pulling off larger sections. On an older floor with a mortar bed, you might need a sledgehammer to cut away at both the tile and mortar before everything can be cleared away.

    Prepare the New Tile

    In some retiling projects, it’s also necessary to replace the substrate with cement or fiberglass subflooring. Before applying mortar, arrange the new tiles onto the substrate to determine the right arrangement and fit for angled and corner pieces. Let the new tiles dry for 24 hours, apply the grout, and then let that dry for another 24 hours before walking on the tiles.

    Whether you need a drill or jack hammer, A Tool Shed has seven locations in Northern California where you can find an array of tools for rent. To learn more about our tools and equipment rentals, call us at (831) 359-4769.

  • Choosing a Standby Generator

    Standby generators are useful tools for powering homes. When you seek generators for sale in San Jose, you should know about the two types: air-cool, which power 20kw—which accounts for the vast majority of American homes—and liquid-cool, which power higher.

    Estimate how many utilities you’ll want to run during an outage. Generators can be fueled either with natural gas or liquid propane. While it’s easiest to use your home’s existing power supply, you could also use a fuel storage tank. Installations and electrical connections should be all done by qualified professionals.

    A Tool Shed has six locations with a full array of renting tools. To learn more about our tool rentals, dial (831) 359-4769.

  • A Tool Shed Helps with Eagle Project

    A Tool Shed was happy to help Elias with his Eagle Project. We received the following note and pictures from him:
    “Dear Robert Pedersen,

    Thank you for your donation of the trencher rental. It really cut down the price and the duration of my Eagle project. I successfully earned Eagle rank. Attached are photos of what I did with the trencher.

    Thanks again,

    Elias Masri”

    Way to go, Elias!

  • How to Extend Your Outdoor Living Space

    One of the benefits of living in Northern California is the mild climate that allows you to enjoy your home’s outdoor space almost year-round. While people who live further south are sweating in July humidity, Northern Californians enjoy warm mild breezes. While people in the Midwest are shivering in February chills, Northern Californians enjoy dining al fresco with only light sweaters for warmth. To make the most of your outdoor space, find the following equipment for rent in San Jose :

    Barbecue Grills

    To transform your everyday patio into a beautiful outdoor kitchen , a grill is essential. If you only host a barbecue once or twice a year, it is more cost effective to rent a grill rather than buy one as new equipment. Though many barbecue purists insist that charcoal provides a unique flavor, a propane grill is more convenient and will cook food that is just as delicious.

    Tables and Chairs

    When hosting large outdoor gatherings, it can be a challenge to seat everyone at a proper table. If you have a smaller space and do not wish to purchase a permanent patio dining set, you can rent tables and chairs for your parties. This ensures that all of your friends and family will have a comfortable place to sit and eat, and the day after your event you can simply return the table and chairs along with any other rental equipment.

    Portable Generators

    If you plan to have large speakers or lights at your outdoor event, you should consider renting a portable generator. If your property is large, this will be much more convenient than running dozens of yards of extension cords across your lawn to connect to your house’s power grid. Also, you can avoid overloading your home grid by powering all your outdoor entertainment tools separately.

    You can rent all the above items, and more, from A Tool Shed . Whether you need a propane grill or a jackhammer, contact us today to inquire about the new and used tools we have available. Visit our site or call us at (877) 890-2963 for more information.

  • Reasons to Choose A Tool Shed

    For your routine home maintenance or special renovations, you may be looking for equipment for rent in San Jose. With six locations across the city and surrounding areas, there is A Tool Shed near you that will have the items you need for all types of projects, from simple repairs to full-scale construction and contracting jobs. We have a wide inventory, ranging from tools for car repair to industrial-scale demolition equipment. Whether you’re working on your engine or building a room addition on your home, you want a selection of different brands at affordable prices from a company you can trust. At A Tool Shed, we offer competitive rates with no sales tax or environmental fees, so you can keep your project within budget without compromising on rental equipment quality.

    Our professional, friendly employees are always happy to help you figure out whether purchase or rental is best for you. Call us today at (877) 890-2963 to inquire about renting or purchasing the equipment you need for your project.

  • Should You Get a Backup Generator?

    Many homeowners give little thought to their household electrical power use until fuses blow. The grids in older homes in particular may not always be able to handle the increased electrical demand of modern appliance usage. Rather than undertaking a costly rewiring project, you may prefer to use a backup generator. We have a variety of generators for sale in San Jose .

    What Fuel Do Backup Generators Use?
    The majority of backup generators are gas-powered. You should exercise caution when operating a generator, as you would with any type of tool or rental equipment. When the proper precautions are taken, gas-powered backup generators are very safe to use. Fill the tank with same care you would use while filling a gas-powered lawn mower or any similar power equipment.

    What Types of Backup Generators Can I Rent?

    There are two basic types of high quality generators: standby generators , and emergency portable generators. A standby generator is permanently installed between your home’s electrical grid and the utility grid, and it automatically provides electricity to your home in the event of an outage. An emergency portable generator is a smaller tool that you can connect as needed to provide electrical power in case of a blackout.

    How Long Will a Backup Generator Power My Home?

    Backup generators come in a variety of wattages and sizes, so their output varies greatly. A 2000-watt generator with a 1-gallon fuel tank, for example, can provide up to 15 hours of use. Generators with higher wattages often have larger fuel tanks to support their greater power output. If you want a generator that will power your home for an entire day, you will need a larger generators whose output is measured in kilowatts.

    Whether you wish to purchase a generator as part of your San Jose earthquake readiness plan, or simply rent one for an event, A Tool Shed can help you find the equipment you need. Visit one of our six locations or call us today at (877) 890-2963 for friendly, professional assistance.

  • Angle Grinder Safety

    If you need a small, handheld tool to polish, cut, or grind items, use an angle grinder. Featuring swappable discs of different materials and sizes suitable for a wide variety of operations, from sanding to cutting, angle grinders are among our inventory of tools for rent in San José. For longer projects, you may also wish to purchase this versatile power tool new or used.

    Before using any power equipment or rental tool, you need to learn how to operate it correctly and safely. In this video, you will learn the basics of angle grinder safety. Wear a sturdy pair of goggles and thick work gloves, and follow the tips in the video to minimize the risks of injury when operating this type of power equipment.

    For more information on using, renting, or buying an angle grinder , call A Tool Shed today at (877) 890-2963. You can pick your equipment up at any one of our six locations around San Jose.