Summer is the season of sunshine and barbecues, which makes it the perfect time for a neighborhood cookout. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you invite your friends and neighbors over for a barbecue, like being sure to rent the right equipment. Here are a few tips for hosting a neighborhood cookout.

Drinks are Important

A neighborhood cookout is a social event that takes place outdoors in the sun, which means refreshing drinks are in order. Drinks will keep your guests cool on a hot summer day. Make sure you provide a wide array of drinks including beer, water, and refreshing nonalcoholic drinks for children and non-drinkers. It is also important not to underestimate the amount of ice you will need in order to keep the drinks cold throughout the duration of the cookout.

Consider the Timetable

Keep in mind how long it will take to prepare your food. If you do not want your guests to be waiting around for an hour before they start eating, start the grill before your guests are scheduled to arrive. Just because it is a cookout does not mean you have to grill every part of the meal; feel free to prepare salads and provide snacks to hold guests over until the main course is ready.

Borrow and Rent Materials

If you do not frequently entertain guests, you may not own sufficient seating for the entire party. If this is the case, talk to your local tool and equipment rental store, like A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals. They will be able to provide you with tables and chairs so that all of your guests are comfortable and relaxed.

A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals is proud to be Northern California’s home for tool and equipment rentals. Since 1945 we have been helping homeowners complete jobs by providing our high quality tools and equipment out of six convenient locations. If you would like to know more about our rentals and sales, please do not hesitate to visit our website or call us at (831) 359-4769 today.

Humidity is a part of life regardless of where you live, but some areas are more prone to high levels of humidity than others. Fortunately, there is a tool that can help control humidity in your home or business.

When humidity occurs inside the home, the discomfort it causes is amplified. High indoor humidity can also affect your health, attract certain types of bugs and pests, and even affect the integrity of the structure of your home. Many people who experience humidity inside their homes choose to purchase a dehumidifier. This is a machine that removes moisture from the air in order to achieve a comfortable level that does not pose problems. Once the dehumidifier collects a significant amount of water, it can either be dumped out or evacuated through a pump or drain.

If you are looking for a dehumidifier, stop by A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals . We have been serving the San Jose area with equipment and tool rentals since 1945. If you would like to know more about our tool and equipment rentals, feel free to visit our website or call us at (831) 359-4769. If you live in San Jose, stop by one of our six locations today to see all of the tools and equipment rentals we offer.

There are several different techniques for lighting a charcoal grill, but some are much easier than other. Watch this video to learn the perfect technique for lighting a charcoal grill.

The most popular way to light your charcoal grill is by using a charcoal chimney. Pour lump charcoal into the chimney and then loosely wad a few pieces of newspaper and place them under the chimney. Light the newspaper using a match or a handheld blowtorch, and then the chimney will do the rest of the work. In about 20 minutes to a half hour, you will have nice, clean charcoal that you can add to your grill in order to begin cooking. 

For more techniques for lighting a charcoal grill, call A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals at (831) 359-4769 or visit our website . We are a tool and equipment rental company based in San Jose that operates out of six locations. If you would like more information about our tool and equipment rental services, feel free to stop by today.

Refinishing your hardwood floors may seem like an overwhelming task, but with the right equipment and the right knowledge, the task becomes much easier—even for the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. Keep reading for an overview on how to refinish hardwood floors, and where you can get the tools and equipment you need to complete the job like a professional.

Preparation

Before you begin you must determine which tools you will need for the job. Discuss the pros and cons of different sanders with your local equipment retailer. While at the equipment retailer, purchase a substantial amount of sandpaper. After completely clearing off the hardwood floor, be sure to seal off any doorways and vents inside the room to prevent dust and wood particles from getting all over your home.  

Sanding

Once your floor has been prepared for refinishing, the first step is to begin sanding. You should start sanding with coarser grains, using 20- to 40-grade sandpaper. As you cover the entire surface of the floor, gradually switch to finer grains until you finish the last coat of sanding with 100- to 120-grade sandpaper. If you are new to using a sander, it is important to remember to always keep the sander moving; if you hesitate for too long in one spot, you may end up with an uneven finish.

Staining and Polyurethane

Limit yourself to one coat of stain so that the floor comes out looking even and dries within a reasonable amount of time. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when you apply your coat of stain. Contrary to staining, you can add a few layers of polyurethane. Be sure to use applicators that are as clean as possible so your floors will not be left with bubbles due to dust or loose hairs. Depending on what type of polyurethane you use, you may have to wait up to a week to replace your furniture.

Want to make sure you get the right tools to refinish your hardwood floors? Call A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals of San Jose at (831) 359-4769. We are happy to serve Northern California with six convenient locations throughout the Bay Area. Our business sells and rents the equipment and tools to help you finish the job like a pro. For more information about our rentals, feel free to visit our website today.

Whether you’re a professional contractor, a handyman, or a homeowner interested in taking on a few projects around the house, you need the right tools to get the work done efficiently and accurately. Purchasing tools can be an expensive venture, and cost-prohibitive for experienced professionals and beginners alike. The next time you have a project that requires special equipment, consider the many reasons why it makes more sense to rent tools rather than buy them. Tool rentals allow you to select exactly what you need at a fraction of the cost of buying tools. You’ll get the newest, highest-quality equipment, without having to worry about repairs, maintenance, or storage. Just use what you need and then take your rental tools back. Check out this infographic to learn more about the benefits of renting tools in San Jose. Feel free to share with your friends and fellow do-it-yourselfers! 

If you need a trailer for an upcoming vacation or project, you may find it more practical and financially sensible to get what you need at an equipment rental shop, rather than buying a new trailer that you may not use much. At A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals, we offer a wide range of trailers at 4-hour, daily, weekly, and monthly rates. We have 5’ x 10’ and 5’ by 12’ trailers, as well as equipment trailers with dual and single axles, firewood trailers, 500-gallon water trailers, car trailers, and tow dollies. We have dumping trailers with 5,000 and 7,000-pound capacities. We also rent slide-in hitches and folding ramps.

To see our top-notch equipment rental selection at A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals , drop by one of our six locations in Northern California. Take a closer look at our tool rental and sales inventory on our website, and call us at (831) 359-4769 for more information or to schedule your rental pickup. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 230,000 people were medically treated for lawn mower injuries in 2012. To reduce the risk of injury, experts say it’s important to take precautions when operating a lawn mower and other power equipment . Here are some of the most important lawn mower safety tips.

Use a Safe Lawn Mower

Only use a lawn mower that is well maintained. An improperly lubricated lawn mower with dull blades is a recipe for failure, and could put your safety at risk. Furthermore, be sure that the lawn mower you use has a control that stops the blade if the handle is released.

Prepare to Mow Safely

Always wear proper clothes and gear while mowing. The most important things are gloves and sturdy shoes. Before you start mowing, make sure that your children and pets know to stay away from the mower while it is in use. Before you mow the lawn, remove stones, toys, and any other objects that could become airborne and injure somebody.

Tips for Riding Mowers

When starting the engine of a riding mower, be sure you are sitting securely in the driver’s seat. Always mow up and down slopes that have an incline of more than 5 degrees, rather than mowing across them, and be sure to go slowly to prevent tipping. Never operate a riding mower if the slope is greater than 15 degrees. Stay alert when operating a riding mower to avoid running into holes, ditches, and obstacles.

Tips for Walk-Behind Mowers

Unlike riding mowers, it’s best to mow across a hill, not up and down it, to avoid injuries when operating a walk-behind mower. Always keep the mower flat on the ground, and shut off the engine immediately if you hit something. Shut off the engine when adjusting blade height.

For more information about lawn mower safety, come to A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals. With six locations in Northern California, we have everything you need for your lawn-mowing project. Call us at (831) 359-4769 or visit our website to learn more about our equipment rental options.

Springtime is growing season for grass in Northern California. During this time it’s best to mow every five to seven days. Just be sure never to cut more than one third of the grass blade off at a time, as this stresses the grass, especially when the weather heats up. It’s okay to mow a little bit less during the summertime, because your grass will not be growing quite as fast as it did in the spring. Watch the video clip for more tips on how often to mow your lawn.

At A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals, we have a range of walk-behind and rider mowers that will help you accomplish your next project. Call us at (831) 359-4769 for more information, and visit our website to see our equipment rental and sales inventory. You can also contact us online if you are looking for a specific equipment rental. 

Establishing a lush, healthy lawn requires proper planning, attention to detail, and a bit of elbow grease. It also requires the right tools. Because you only need to seed your lawn twice a year, you can save a lot of money (and a lot of space in your garage) by renting your tools instead of buying them. To help you keep your lawn looking great year round, here is a look at some of the essential tools you will need to plant your lawn.

Grass Seeder

The key to having a magazine-quality lawn is spreading an even layer of grass seeds during the recommended planting dates . A manual or motorized grass seeder is the best way to quickly and evenly seed your lawn. Your equipment rental provider will have various types of seeders to choose from based on your budget and the size of your lawn.

Lawn Aerator

Although a lawn aerator is not required, it is an essential piece of lawn equipment that can have a big impact on the health and appearance of your grass. Lawn aerators poke thousands of tiny holes in your lawn, which increase the soil’s ability to hold moisture and make it easier for young grass roots to grow strong.

Hand Tools

There are some essential hand tools that every homeowner should have in their garage or tool shed. If not, you can get the tools you need from your equipment rental provider. In terms of lawn care, a rake, shovel, garden hoe, and pickaxe will help keep your lawn looking great.  

From push-behind mowers and hydraulic drive tillers to rakes and shovels, A Tool Shed has everything you need to keep your lawn looking great all year round. Visit our website to see all of our lawn and garden equipment rentals, or call us today at (831) 359-4769 to find the equipment rental location nearest you .

If you want your lawn to look green and healthy this summer, it’s important to know what to do and what to avoid. Too much water or too little shade can mean the difference between a wilting lawn and one that thrives. Read to learn more about summer lawn care and how tool rental can help you achieve a beautiful summer lawn.

Pre-Season

In late spring, before your grass starts growing, go to an equipment rental shop and get the tools you need to aerate and fertilize the lawn . Sharpen the lawn mower blade thoroughly so that the grass is cut rather than shredded. When mowing in the warm weather, cut one-third or less of the glass blade to keep the lawn healthy. The lawn should receive one inch of water per week, including both irrigation and rain, ideally in the morning.

Mid-Season

It can be hard to keep a lawn green during the hot, dry summers in San Jose. If you have cool-season grass, it will probably turn brown in midsummer and won’t come back until the weather the rain comes and the weather cools off. Try to keep the grass a bit longer in the warmer months, as it creates extra shade that protects the roots, reduces water loss, and inhibits weed growth. As summer comes to an end, be aggressive about attacking lawn weeds.

Troubleshooting

If you see weeds this summer, do not apply an herbicide to large areas of the lawn, as your lawn will already be parched from the heat. Instead, spot treat using a gentle soap herbicide. Many types of weeds, including clover, chickweed, and dandelions, should be removed by hand using the right tools.

A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals has a massive selection of tools that will help you get on top of summer lawn care. Visit our website to check out the rental tools and equipment we offer, as well as the new and used equipment we sell at one of our six locations in Northern California. For more information about our lawn and garden rental tools, call us at (831) 359-4769.