Frozen pipes can burst and cause expensive damage. Fortunately, there are several ways you can prevent your pipes from freezing during the winter with only a few pieces of equipment . Follow these tips to make sure your pipes stay in good working condition all year long.

Protect Them from Cold

The simplest way to prevent your pipes from freezing is to protect them from exposure to low temperatures . It helps if pipes are not installed in attics, crawl spaces, or other spaces that do not receive heat. For pipes that have already been installed in these areas, you can protect them with insulation. If you notice any cracks in the walls near pipes, these cracks should be filled in and sealed immediately to prevent heat from being transferred from the pipes.

Improve Circulation

If any of your pipes are located inside cabinets, as is common in kitchens and bathrooms, the cabinet doors should be left open. These doors prevent the warm air inside your house from reaching the pipes, which can contribute to freezing. In addition to leaving the doors open, you can line the pipes with electric heating equipment. Some of these tools even have thermostats so the device can monitor its own heat.

Run the Water

Pipes burst in the winter because of the pressure created when water freezes inside them. You can reduce this pressure by opening faucets and letting your water run. It is a good idea to keep the water running at a slow trickle, as this keeps the waste to a minimum. Also note that both your hot and water lines should be open, since neither is immune to freezing.

If you would like to learn more about how to prevent frozen pipes during the winter, call A Tool Shed at (831) 359-4769. We are happy to meet northern California’s needs when it comes to the sale and rental of new and used equipment. Visit our website or stop by one of our six locations today.

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to make sure your roof stays in good working condition. Even if you don’t have the proper tools to complete all of the necessary roof-related tasks on your own, it is still important to know what it takes to maintain your roof. Maintenance should be performed both inside and outside, and while it is okay to make smaller repairs yourself using rented equipment, you should always call a professional for permanent projects.

Inside Maintenance

Throughout the winter, you should be regularly checking your vents and making sure that air can easily flow through them. If your vents remain clogged, the heat and moisture that should be flowing through them will instead build up and damage your roof and attic. To prevent icicles from forming, you may have extra vents installed and add insulation to your attic. If you notice any discolored paint or moisture spots on your ceiling, your roof may be leaking .

Outside Maintenance

There are several things you can do to take proper care of your roof from the outside. You should regularly inspect your roof and gutters for leaves, debris, and other vegetation. Spray both the roof and gutters with a hose, being sure to address any gutter clogs. If your flashing is punctured or bent in any area, use roofing cement to firmly attach it to the siding. You can also use roofing cement to securely attach shingles to your roof.

Personal Repairs

There are some smaller repairs that you can make on your own, but a professional should be contacted for a permanent fix. If there’s a damaged shingle on your roof, you can prevent moisture from seeping through by placing a piece of metal flashing under the shingle. When addressing leaks in your attic, hang a string below the leak and position a bucket under it so you can catch the water.

Do you want to know more about the essentials of winter roof maintenance? Call A Tool Shed at (831) 359-4769 or visit one of our six convenient locations. We provide northern California homeowners and contractors with all the tools they need to do the job right. Visit our website or stop by to learn more.

During the winter months, you must take preventative measures to ensure that your hot water continues to flow throughout the season. This video explains a few different tips that will keep your pipes working.

Keep the cabinet doors beneath your sinks open to allow heat to move more freely around your pipes. For pipes located in garages or crawlspaces, it helps to wrap them in insulation or hang a utility lamp near them. A 100-watt bulb should heat the pipes enough to keep them warm during the winter.

For more winter plumbing tips, call A Tool Shed at (831) 359-4769 or visit our website. Since 1945, we have provided northern Californians with sales and rentals of new and used equipment. Stop by one of our six convenient locations to learn more about us today.

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During the winter, roofs can leak, heaters can break, and numerous other problems can occur around the house. To avoid these issues, it’s essential to know how to properly winterize your home. For some helpful home winterization tips, read through the brief guide below or contact your nearby equipment rental company in San Jose:

Change Furnace Filter

Your furnace has the important job of providing warmth to your home when the weather is cold. To stay comfortable, you have to make sure that you keep your furnace running properly by changing out the filter often. All you have to do is locate the filter compartment in your HVAC system, take the old filter out, and put the new one in. For the best results, it’s recommended that you replace the filter at least once a month during the winter.

Protect Outside Pipes

In colder weather, pipes and faucets located on the outside of the house can freeze and burst, causing property damage. Though this issue is rare in the San Jose area, you can bring the risk down to zero by insulating your exterior pipes . To do this, simply clean off any grime from pipes and wrap them with fiberglass insulation or a thick towel. If the temperature is expected to drop significantly, turn on outside faucets slightly to prevent freezing.

Insulate the Attic

Attics are often poorly insulated, allowing cold air to come into the house and heated air to escape during the winter months. To prevent this from happening in your home, install more insulation in the attic. Ask a home insulation expert to evaluate your existing insulation and help you install more.  

Whether you are installing insulation or wrapping your house’s pipes, A Tool Shed of San Jose has all the equipment you need. To browse our large inventory of rental tools, stop by one of our six locations or visit our website. If you are looking for a specific tool and want to know if we have it in stock, call us today at (831) 359-4769.

Air compressors are tools that can power many different types of equipment, including nail guns and sanders. In general, there are two basic types of air compressors: piston compressors and screw compressors. The first type has a piston that moves up and down. When the piston is in the down position, air comes into the chamber through an intake valve. When the piston is in the up position, the intake valve closes and the air is compressed, creating pressure. The second type of compressor, the screw variety, is slightly different and consists of two screws that move next to one another in different directions. This motion causes outside air to get sucked into the chamber and become compressed by the two screws, creating pressurized air.

If you need to rent an air compressor or other tool for a project, visit one of A Tool Shed’s six San Jose locations today. We have a large selection of air compressors, automotive tools , and other equipment available for rent or purchase. Talk to one of friendly employees by calling (831) 359-4769.

Failing to winterize a home can cause a number of serious problems, including considerable water damage. If you are not sure how to properly winterize your home , you should watch this short video.

A home improvement professional talks about the importance of home winterization and gives viewers some helpful tips on protecting their homes in the winter. By cleaning leaves and debris from your gutters, you can prevent water from damaging your roof during the winter months. For more helpful ideas, check out the video.

In the San Jose area, there is no equipment rental company better than A Tool Shed. We have all the tools you need for winterizing your home at our  six convenient locations . Call our main office at (831) 359-4769 for more information today.  

Fall is a great time for gardening and doing yard work. Listed below are some fall planting tips to follow for your yard. If you need to rent equipment, such as a lawnmower or aerator, talk to a tool rental provider in San Jose .

Plant Cool Weather Vegetables

Though many consider spring and summer to be the best times for growing vegetables, fall is pretty good, too. Vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and lettuce particularly enjoy the cooler weather months. If you enjoy eating fresh produce straight from your garden, consider growing these and other fall-friendly vegetables.

Take Care of Your Grass

If you want your grass to look incredible in the spring, you have to start taking care of it in the fall. To do this, rent a lawn plugger from an equipment rental company and punch holes in the yard; this will help nutrients go down into the soil. Afterward, apply fertilizer to your yard to promote healthy grass growth.

Consider Planting Pest-Resistant Plants

It can be heartbreaking to plant a beautiful fall garden, then have wild animals destroy it soon after. To prevent this from happening, consider planting flowers and plants that pests do not like to eat, such as blue bells and daffodils. In addition to looking incredible, these plants will keep deer and other animals out of your yard, giving you peace of mind.

Plant Trees

Are you thinking about putting some trees into your yard? If so, fall is the perfect time to do it, since the weather is generally very pleasant. If you decide to plant trees or shrubs, you must follow all planting instructions and water thoroughly once the plants have been put into the ground. By doing so, you will keep your plants healthy throughout the winter.

For more help with fall planting, give A Tool Shed a call at (831) 359-4769. We have six locations in the San Jose area, and provide the best deals on tool and equipment rentals in town. Contact us today or visit our website to see all of our product offerings.

With all the tools and equipment to make your weekend or major project easier, a visit to A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals is the first step towards getting the job done right —it’s a locally-owned business that prides itself on its service to both its customers and community.

          “We really do pride ourselves on taking care of our customers,” said Brad Robinson, general manager of A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals. “We get the best products we can find and really strive to help our customers meet their goals. When people need it now, we enjoy that challenge and like to get it now.”

          It could be a dump truck, a pressure washer, concrete grinder or trencher. Most commonly, it’s a forklift or possibly a generator during a winter storm. Hopefully, it’s not an ozone generator to remove the smell from a house that’s been flooded or had a kitchen fire, but if you need one, Robinson will have it for you. He has been with the company for 28 years after starting as a yard person.

          “I love the people I work with. It really is a big family here; most of the employees have been here a long time,” he said. “And I enjoy the industry. It always creates a new challenge, having to grow with technology and stay with current trends. There is always something to do, somebody to help.”

          Robert Pedersen is the third-generation owner, president and CEO of the family business, started in 1945 in Cupertino. He said the company’s motto “to create an exceptional customer experience,” is the key to its success. That is why A Tool Shed keeps training videos readily available and employees watch them so they can answer questions; the motto is also the reason behind the fast delivery service and the decision to not charge sales tax, environmental fees or hookup fees.

          “Everything we do is based on that motto,” Pedersen said.

           Pedersen opened the Santa Cruz location, now located at 3700 Soquel Ave., 17 years ago, seizing upon an opportunity he saw when United Rentals moved in.

          “United Rentals had bought out the smaller business here so we decided to come in and fill that niche — we concentrate more on the small contractors and the homeowners, rather than that big contract job — and we’ve been growing ever since,” Pedersen said.

           A Tool Shed also has stores in Watsonville, Hollister, Morgan Hill, Campbell and Santa Clara. In 2010 Pedersen decided to move his corporate office from Campbell to Santa Cruz as well. Why? “The atmosphere, honestly,” said Pedersen, who lives on the summit. “It’s a more relaxed community; the people are easy going. I enjoy coming to work on this side of the hill.”

          A Tool Shed is also a big supporter of the community. The business sponsors a range of events — from the Wharf to Wharf Race to the Santa Cruz County Fair. Those light towers that lit up Pacific Avenue during Halloween came from A Tool Shed.

          “You see our stuff all over the fairgrounds. I love the fair,” said Pedersen, recalling his days in 4-H. “And we donate equipment for all Eagle Scout projects.”

           So, if you need a pressure washer to paint that house visit http://www.atoolshed.com/