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Kenosha DIY Remodeling Guide

Are you ready to do a DIY remodeling but find the project’s scope daunting? The process of mastering home DIYs can be challenging. Often, you have to read through endless articles on the internet, watch DIY videos and tutorials for hours on end and properly get experts’ views. However challenging a DIY can be, the best part is that results are always rewarding. DIY projects can help you discover new skills, gain confidence, uncover your talents and design something epic. Are you ready to work on your DIY project? Whether you want to update and improve your house’s usability, fix the new home to suit your lifestyle, or change the existing finishes, this Kenosha DIY remodeling guide is handy.

Step-by-step Kenosha DIY remodeling guide.

Create your DIY blueprint

Chances are, you have an idea of what you want to work on. Whether you plan to flip the entire house, fix the kitchen, or the bathroom, you know the things that you need to improve.

However, the best thing is to create your DIY blueprint. The DIY project plan will help you determine what you can do, things you need to do, and projects you need to delegate to a contractor.

Create a list of things you wish to renovate, and while doing so, you may want to consider renovations that bring a return on investment. 

DIY remodeling projects like minor kitchen remodeling or bathroom updates can bring you ROI.

With your DIY remodeling blueprint at hand, you can take the next remodeling steps like preparing for the actual renovation, budgeting, getting design plans, and hiring contractors.

Create your DIY “inspiration book”

Do you have your renovation design plan? A collection of inspiration images can also come in handy. You can create your DIY remodeling look book that you can refer to at any time to ensure that your project is on the right track.

Home renovation ideas like these ones on Home Edit can give you a head start on the designs to consider.

Protect your fragile items

Remodeling projects involve a lot of lifting, moving, demolitions, dust, and debris. And this means something is bound to break if you don’t secure it properly. 

The last thing you want is to break your high-end vases, art collections, or electronics. Before you level the walls, consider moving your fragile and essential items to a safe storage place. 

For instance, if you are renovating the living room, you should move the furniture, electronics, and any valuable item out of the way.

If you are doing an entire home remodeling, you can consider renting a nearby storage space for your household items.

Additionally, remember to use protective sheeting to prevent your items from paints and debris.

Kenosha DIY remodeling guide

Take your DIY remodeling one step at a time

When it comes to hands-on remodeling, you need to start small—and celebrate each accomplishment. Tackling one project at a time will set you up for more significant achievements. 

Start with easy-to-do DIYs like minor kitchen renovations and scale up depending on your skills. Remember to stop when you need to, and that learning is continuous. 

Get the remodeling tools

If you are your general contractor, it means that you need to have all the tools for your DIY remodeling project. The drawback of this is that you may need a lot of capital to purchase some tools.

One of the main reasons you are going the DIY route is to cut costs. So when it comes to sourcing for remodeling tools, the best idea is to hire. You can rent your renovation equipment from a local tool rental.

Demolish and clean up

Once you get the tools, it is time to get your DIY remodeling in Kenosha up and running. Identify fixtures that should remain intact to avoid knocking them during demolition.

If you aren’t sure, you can consult your professional contractor. Start decluttering and ultimately demolish. You will need a dumpster for the refuse, and you can hire one from TKG Services.

Begin remodeling!

DIY remodeling doesn’t have to be an uphill endeavor. Tackle your project head and remember to start small. 

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Plan a Summer Yard Sale in Waukegan

How to Plan a Summer Yard Sale in Waukegan

Do you want to turn your clutter into some cold cash? Junk sitting around or strewn all over your rooms wastes a lot of space. And often, a big challenge when it comes to cleaning up your home. However, there are perfect junk solutions to help you dispose of clutter. One of the brilliant clutter removal solutions is yard sales. Putting your old and unused household items up for sale is ideal for adding more cash to your wallet while sustainably discarding junk. Ideally, you can sell your unwanted household items online. However, this can drag on for days, weeks, and even months before you dispose of everything. A summer yard sale in Waukegan is an easy and fast way to declutter on the weekend. For instance, you only bring your stuff to the yard, and customers are there to buy.

1. Choose a strategic summer yard sale day.

The first thing when planning your yard sale in Waukegan is to set up the best dates. For a successful yard sale, you need to consider the best dates to get the most customers. During summer, potential buyers are available on Fridays and weekends, so it is best to choose a date that falls on a weekend. 

Also, it is best to consider any other events in your area. For example, summer tends to have many activities, and you don’t want to have a no-show summer yard sale. 

2. Check on yard sale permits in Waukegan.

The most crucial part of a yard sale is getting the yard sale permits. The City of Waukegan provides guidelines on hosting yard sales. For instance, there are ordinances on putting up billboards and zoning.

Ensure that you get the proper yard sale permits.

3. Enlist yard sale partners.

Once you have the green light to host a summer yard sale, you can bring your friends and family to share in the yard sale. That means they can get their consignment to the event. 

This is a terrific way to offer your potential yard sale buyers with various items to buy.

4. Edit your home and collect items to sell.

You need products to sell on the d-day, and that means you have to declutter your house. Purge the attic, basement, closets, kitchen, and any other place to get stuff to sale. 

House declutter is the perfect way to get rid of old items in the house. Use labeled boxes to store your items for sale.

summer yard sale in Waukegan

5. Get your payment options ready.

Buyers have preferred ways of making payments. So, provide options for buyers who will use an electronic system to pay and use cash. And that means you need to prep a cash box with loose change and online payment systems like PayPal, Cashapp, and Venmo.

6. Market your summer yard sale.

To get more traffic to your yard sale and make more sales, you need to let people know when and how the summer yard will happen. You can use the internet for marketing like listing your event on the Yard Sale Finder, Nextdoor, and Yard Sale Search. 

Additionally, you can use social media like Facebook and Instagram to amplify the word. 

Yard sale signs are also an option if you have the permitting to place them in your area.

7. Itemize and price your merchandise.

Make your summer yard sale a breeze by itemizing your consignment and pricing them accordingly. Be creative and DIY your price tags instead of buying them at the store. 

Create low-cost items and also try to make it easy for your buyers to fish through the things.

Host your summer yard sale in Waukegan

Once you have the summer yard sale plan and items ready, you can host a yard sale in Waukegan and get rid of those pesky household junk. 

A summer yard sale can be more exciting when you have a roll-off dumpster to haul junk and contain refuse during the event. Hire TKG Services

 

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Guide to Easy Remodeling Ideas

Do you have the remodeling know-how and ready to explore the endless possibilities of updating your home? If you can’t wait to remodel your home, then know that you are not alone. According to a remodeling impact survey, homeowners spend over $400 billion to renovate their homes and do repairs each year. What makes remodeling a home easy? Nowadays, there are endless remodeling ideas online and television programs to spark inspiration. So if you are ready to hop on the remodeling bandwagon, here is a guide to easy remodeling ideas. 

Preparing for a Remodeling Project

But first, let’s look at how you can prepare for a remodeling project, whether you are doing kitchen, bathroom, or multi-room remodeling work.

  • Have a remodeling budget plan. Whether you are fixing the faucet or eliminating the kitchen island, a remodeling budget plan is indispensable. 
  • Handle some of the house renovations if you have the skills and time. Updating a home can be quite an expensive affair. If you can DIY some of the projects, you can save money while adding elegance, functionality, and value to your property. The best thing is with online DIY guides, Youtube tutorials, and TV programs; you can quickly learn and do DIY remodeling projects.
  • Get a roll-off container and be in charge of your remodeling debris. Home remodeling projects are not without extensive amounts of trash. Request ten, 20, or 30 cubic yard containers from TKG Services for your remodeling debris. Trust me; it will be so much easier and cheaper to have a rental company at your disposal.
  • Work with what you have at hand. Sometimes, renovations call for a little bit of creativity, and you can reuse or recycle materials you have to update your home. 
  • Eliminate clutter before you start refurbishing your home. DIY home renovation is much easier when there is no trash blocking the way. 

remodeling ideas in Waukegan

Easy Remodeling Ideas

1. Renovate your bathrooms

A bathroom is one of the vital rooms in a home. It is a spot that gives you spa vibes and a calm place to have a few minutes for yourself. You can redesign the entire bathroom, replace the faucet, bathtub, tiles, or add a vanity. You can check out these bathroom renovation ideas for your next project. 

2. Update the kitchen island. 

Your kitchen does more than you can imagine. It is a perfect spot to prepare your meals, drop groceries before putting them away to using it to chat up with friends and family. You can add a kitchen island or renovate the existing one with new countertops. Also, you can replace the cabinets and add a contemporary touch of color. While in the kitchen, you can also add a backsplash and freshen up the kitchen walls.

3. Improve your basement. 

Do you need a man cave, an extra bedroom, or a home office? Finish up your basement area and update it with fresh paint and carpeting. You can set up your home office or create your gym area. 

4. Refurbish your living room.

There are countless ways to rearrange and fix your living room. You can replace the carpet, furniture, knock down walls to have an open design, and add a new color to your walls. Also, you can replace the windows to allow in more natural lighting and replace the entry door. Also, take advantage of the space under the stairs. You can transform it into a bookshelf or add storage cabinets to have a more minimalist sofa area. 

5. Deck makeover.

Taking care of your house’s exterior is equally important. Renovating your deck with new wood decks will give a good impression and increase your property’s resale value. You can also fix the deck if it has seen its better days. 

 

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Decluttering Tips Before Moving

Top Decluttering Tips Before Your Move

Moving day is around the corner, which means you are about to pack your entire house into boxes and suitcases ready for a move. With lifting stuff here and there, packing and unpacking, moving houses is not an easy job. What’s worse? You may not realize how much trash you have until you start packing. Nothing sucks more than having clutter standing in between you and your new home. Every good moving checklist will tell you one thing: you have to declutter before moving to your new home. Why?

  • You will save transportation costs because you will have only essential items to move to your new home. 
  • Decluttering can earn you a few bucks. Selling those usable shoes, clothes, or even furniture and appliances on a moving sale can make you more money while reducing the clutter.
  • You will save time packing your belongings and also save plenty of space in your new house. Given how busy life can be, you may have little time to pack for a move, so the fewer the things you need to fill, the better.  
  • Moving will be stress-free. Knickknacks can be a pain in the kneck when moving houses. Decluttering will make the process easy and painless for you.

Here are the must-know decluttering tips before moving.

 Set a declutter day

The first thing on your action plan is that you need to set a declutter day. Use this day to purge through your items and decide what to keep and what to toss away. You can plan to clean out your home a month or three weeks before the moving day. This timeframe will give you ample time to organize yourself, sell, donate, and dumps items that you no longer use. 

Get your supplies ready.

You will need storage and organizational supplies as you declutter, so it is best to source for these items early. Get your cardboard boxes and probably book a roll-off container if you anticipate a lot of clutter. You can have three sets of boxes and label them with keep, donate/sell, trash. Labeling and organizing make it easy to pack items as you declutter.

Start with one room at a time.

Cleaning out an entire house, especially before a move, is not an easy thing. Start decluttering early with one room at a time. Cleaning out the junk by rooms ensures that you are consistent, efficient and guarantees a thoroughly clean job. Also, you will be able to organize and keep tabs on each room’s items as you clean up. For example, you can start with your bedroom, closet, or storage rooms as you move to the rooms with less clutter.

There can be a gray line when it comes to throwing away some of your items, which may be hard for you. However, you need to be ruthless with things that you’ve not touched or used in the last twelve months-yes; the twelve-month-declutter rule is the magic.

decluttering tips

Clean out early to give yourself plenty of time.

When you plan to move, you must declutter ahead of time to find enough time for everything. In between now and the day you plan to move, you may need to sell, donate, or dump the junk. And not forgetting that you have other things to handle like your regular job. Start your declutter job early so that it does not overwhelm you during the last days.

Ask for help to declutter.

A declutter project is not easy, and it can break your back. Ask for immediate help from friends or family whenever you feel that you can’t handle it alone. Outsourcing parts of your decluttering job like junk hauling and disposal is a good idea. Asking for help or hiring junk haulers will save you time and money. 

Start your life in a new home with less clutter.

Whenever you are ready to declutter, TKG Environmental Services is here to help you haul and dump the trash.

 

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DIY Home Projects with the Best ROI

The Ultimate List of DIY Home Projects with the Best ROI

Are you yearning to do a home renovation and looking for a DIY project with the best return on investment? The COVID pandemic has given us much more time at home, and it is no surprise if you want to keep yourself busy with a weekend DIY. And if the renovation makes some sense for the cents, the better. A home project with the best return on investment refers to those projects that have the potential to amplify the value of your property. If you update your house to add a cool feature like an outdoor living space, buyers will like it and be willing to pay more for the home. One exciting thing about DIY remodeling projects is that it gives you a sense of satisfaction when you put your time and money in it. If you care about the return on investment of your home project, this is your post. We’ve put together a list of DIY home projects with the best ROI.

Routine landscaping

The exterior part of your home creates the first impression to a potential buyer, and if it is not appealing to you, potential buyers won’t like it either. This means that regular lawn maintenance can recoup the best return on investment. According to a study, properties with pristine landscapes sell for more than houses without manicured yards. So if you conduct routine landscaping like adding a focal point, mowing, mulching, watering, and fertilizing your plants can boost your curb appeal. Prune overgrown bushes and dump yard stumps and branches. Sometimes raising your curb appeal may be as simple as giving the front home space fresh paint. 

Create outdoor living spaces

Outdoor living spaces are the best place to hang out with family and friends as you enjoy warm weather. It can also be a nice spot to light up a campfire to warm up the place as you enjoy the night. Creating outdoor living spaces can be a rewarding DIY home project. Create a patio area complete with outdoor furniture, a fire pit, and a grilling area. You can research inspirational designs for an ambient outdoor living space. 

Keep up with your kitchen.

A minor kitchen improvement is also another home project with the best return on investment. A minor kitchen renovation that amplifies its cosmetic look can recoup over 98% return on investment. These little kitchen improvement jobs don’t require you to knock down or add walls. It can be as simple as illuminating your kitchen with fresh paint and lighting makeover, adding a backsplash, new hardware, updating the countertops, or upgrading your kitchen appliances.

DIY home projects with the best ROI

Do minor bathroom renovations.

Are you tired of the same bathroom hardware, old caulk, or tile finishing? Well, minor bathroom renovation projects have the best resale value at 102%, according to HGTV. Install new matching bathroom hardware like the faucet, vanity, knobs, towel bars, etc. You can also give your bathroom fresh paint, fix the lighting, update the mirrors, recaulk, or deep clean for a new bathroom look. Additionally, you can replace or remove bathroom doors, replace the tiles and the toilet with modern high-end designs. 

Light up your yard

Installing outdoor lights is also another DIY home project with the best return on investment. Lighting up the yard not only makes your yard’s cosmetic look stand out at night, but it also illuminates the walk paths and enhances security at night. Install a lighting system with features that flow well with your landscape. You can opt for LED lighting or solar-powered. Also, there is a lighting system that detects motion and offers high-end security.

Replace the entrance door

A stylish front door on your home can fetch the top dollar when you resale. Replace your old, bland front door with a modern, elegant design to enhance your security and boost your house’s curb appeal.

Are you undertaking a DIY home project in Nothern Illinois or Southeast Wisconsin? TKG Services has a dumpster for the debris.

 

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Tax Deductible Home Improvement Projects

Do you have a home remodel project coming up, and wondering if your project is tax-deductible? When doing your home remodels, it is crucial to understand whether that particular project is eligible for a tax write-off. Unlike minor home repairs where you fix little things like fixing broken window pane, some home restorations that add value to your property can earn you tax benefits. For example, adding a new siding, new roofing, plumbing upgrades, new bathroom installation, kitchen remodels, and driveway renovation are some of the major home improvement projects that add more value. In this article, we are going to dig into some of the tax deductible home improvement projects.

Remodeling your home to improve energy efficiency

Are you planning to ditch your old doors and windows for more energy-efficient ones? Your project may be tax-deductible. According to IRS, home improvements that focus on improving its energy efficiency in residential homes are qualify for energy incentives. Installing alternative energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, solar water heaters, energy-efficient doors and windows, and energy-efficient appliances have a tax credit.

Additionally, your roofing may be eligible for a tax credit if you are using solar roofing shingles and tiles that serve as both the roof and source of energy. If you are renovating the roof, you might opt for solar roofing and get non-refundable tax credits to lower your tax liability.

Making home improvements for resale

Making home improvements for resale is one of the best ways to increase the value of your property. But did you know that remodels on a home that is up for resale are tax-deductible? Your home improvement goal should be to add value, prolong the property’s life span, or adapt to new use. Also, the home restorations should last more than a year. Such improvements are also referred to as capital improvements and qualify for tax deductions at the point of sale. Some of these qualifying home improvements include home additions, roofing, basement remodel, new bathroom, kitchen and attic remodels, garage remodel, driveway renovation, landscaping, siding addition, and new swimming pool, and adding a master suite.

Remember, you must show evidence of expenses you incurred doing the home improvement projects for these improvements to qualify. In this case, you need to capture all the expenses receipts. Keep track of all your expenses on home improvement projects in a file, or you can scan and save them electronically if you plan on selling your house.  

tax deductible home improvement projects

Remodeling a home office

Another tax-deductible home improvement project is remodeling your home office. If you have a designated room at home that serves solely as your home office, you may be eligible for a tax write off under home office deductions. Any expense you incur on a home office that you use to conduct legit business regularly qualifies for a tax break. These expenses include utilities, insurance, repairs, remodels, depreciation and mortgage interests. One unique thing about this tax-deductible home improvement project is that both repairs and remodels made directly to your home office qualify. This is because repairs are indispensable to run your business successfully. 

Rental property improvements

Rental property improvement is also another renovation project that can qualify for a tax break. Like a home office, repairs and remodels on a rental property are eligible for tax deductions. Repairs must keep the rental property in the right habitable conditions to qualify for tax deductions the same year, unlike remodels. Rental property upgrades like a kitchen remodel, floor renovation, room additions, new appliance installation, bathroom remodels, etc., are deductible over time. 

Tax deductible home improvement projects for medical purposes.

Any home improvement you make to accommodate persons with disabilities, a sick patient, or aging in place with doctor’s recommendations qualify for tax deductions. These improvements include medical equipment installations, entrance remodels to include ramps, adding lifts, adding easy-to-reach kitchen cabinets, remodeling the bathrooms, and expanding doorway and hallways.

Are you working on a tax-deductible home improvement project? TKG Services delivers reliable dumpster rental services and handle any home improvement projects.

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4 Hazardous Waste Materials To Keep Out of the Trash

What do you do with old, unused, empty cans or expired products you have at home? When you have old products, expired, leftover, or unused items at home, the first place to think of is placing them in the trash can. However, you will be surprised that some trash needs special handling and arrangements to dispose of. These are the types of hazardous waste materials that can cause injuries and affect the environment. 

But how do you differentiate between hazardous trash and non-hazardous? Garbage is categorized as toxic if it poses the risk of igniting flames, releasing toxic gases, can react, corrode, or explodes. Below are four hazardous waste materials you should never throw in the trash for your safety and the safety of trash handling guys. 

Never throw these hazardous waste materials in the trash.

 

1. Electronic waste

Do you have old electronic waste that needs to go? You probably upgrade your electronics like TVs, laptops, desktop computers, cameras, iPods, video game devices, printers, e.t.c. to the latest sleek devices. And this means you have to dispose of the old ones. Electronic waste is toxic to the landfills, and you should never toss them in the roll off dumpster or the trash bin regardless of the size. E-waste has harmful materials like lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

Please arrange for a specialized pick up of your electronic waste, or you can consider hauling them to an e-waste recycling facility. 

2. Hazardous chemicals.

Automotive fluids, leftover pesticides, adhesives, ink cartridges, solvents, bleach, and corrosives are also hazardous waste you should not throw in the trash. These chemicals are dangerous if you inhale, ingest, or pour them on the soil. Some chemicals like bleach can corrode the skin, and others are highly flammable and can put you at risk of fire accidents. If you have unwanted chemicals, consider safe alternatives like looking up for a local hazardous waste facility to come and safely dispose of. 

When buying such chemicals, ensure that you get the exact amounts you need to avoid having excess toxic substances. Consider sustainable cleaning products to reduce the quantities of hazardous waste you store. Don’t mix chemicals or store them in a different container other than the original container they were packaged in and labeled. 

Because of the harmful nature of chemicals, we don’t accept them in the dumpster, but we can guide you on disposing of such waste.

3. Medical waste

Medical waste is also another highly toxic waste you should not throw in the trash. These type of garbage can be syringes, masks, sharp needles, swabs, bandages, plasters, e.t.c

You should be careful when dealing with medical waste because it can be highly contagious and have bacteria. Expired prescription drugs are poisonous and need special disposal arrangements. Also, expired and unused drugs can leach into water sources and soil. 

Check with your local city on how to dispose of medical waste. Find take-back programs for any unused and expired prescription drugs you have. 

hazardous waste materials to keep out of trash

4. Batteries and fluorescent light bulbs.

Batteries and fluorescent light bulbs should not go into the trash either because of their hazardous nature. Please don’t pick up and dump broken fluorescent light bulbs in the trash cart because they contain toxic vapor like mercury and dust. Car batteries, whether lead-acid or lithium, contain harmful chemicals, and you should take your old batteries to a recycling center. Collect all broken bulbs and drop them off at a hazardous waste collection facility.

Exercise extra caution when handling toxic waste of any nature. Some experts can guide you on how to get rid of hazardous waste. 

Do you want an organized space during your construction or remodeling project? TKG Services offers affordable dumpsters for debris disposal.

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Where Does Your Recycling Go?

Is recycling an ingrained habit in you? You probably put effort into sorting your recyclables like plastic and paper and follow the right recycling methods. 

Are you wondering what is recyclable? The slightest thought of your recyclable garbage ending at the landfill can create skepticism to recycle. Whether it is the waste from your residential households, schools, businesses, workplace, or the community at large, it is crucial to know where your recycling goes. Every step in recycling plays a vital role in keeping trash away from our already-overfilling landfills and incinerators. Below is how your recyclable material moves from the curbside cart to the final destination. 

1. Trash hauler collects your recyclables.

Once you decide to recycle, you take the responsibility of placing recyclable garbage in the recycling bin. Depending on the city you live in, the process of recycling can be single stream or dual recycling. A single-stream recycling process is where you toss all the recycling material in one cart awaiting transportation to the material recovery facility. Dual recycling is the recycling process where you separate the material from the source before pick up by the trash hauler. Whether you use the municipal trash services or hire a trash hauling company during the trash collection day, the hauler will pick up the garbage and transport it to the transfer stations. The transfer station handles compacting. Then larger trucks haul the waste to the material recovery facility. 

2. Sorting stage.

At the material recovery facility (MRF), sorting of the recyclables takes place to separate good from contaminated recyclable material. The garbage from single-stream recycling will go through a manual and automatic machine separation process. Once the truck unloads the mixed recyclable trash into the conveyor belt, the workers will use the manual process of handpicking non-recyclable material from the garbage and safely dispose of it. The next stage is where the automatic machine separates cardboard and paper from the trash.

As the junk moves along in the conveyor belt, a magnetic force will pick out aluminum and steel. An eddy current in the conveyor belt will pick out aluminum cans, while a density blower will move plastics into a different machine. The remaining material, which is glass, will move to a new conveyor machine, which will turn it into cullet. And since plastics products have different resins, the conveyor belt has optic lasers to separate various plastics in the recyclable material. 

Once the sorting is done, your recycling material is ready for the next stage, which is processing. 

Where does your recycling go?

3. Processing the recycling.

At this stage, the recyclable material is in perfect condition to be processed into raw material. The facility will break down the items that you place in the curbside bin into raw materials. 

The processing facility can use additives to improve the quality of the raw material. They will then sell the raw materials to the manufacturer to produce new products of good quality. Raw material from plastic waste, for example, can be used to manufacture plastic chairs, carpets, trash bins, and other plastic products.  Processed steel and aluminum raw material create new steel and aluminum cans.

Remember, the same process applies to C&D debris disposal where you can recycle material to produce new products from the waste. 

4. Consumers buy recycled products.

The final stage of your recycling is when the manufacturer releases the products into the market for consumers. When you buy these recycled products, you promote recycling because of the demand.

At TKG Services, we are the pros in C&D recycled materials and ensure that we repurpose over 75% of construction and demolition garbage into new products.

 

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Preparing for Severe Weather

Severe weather is bound to happen every year, whether it is a hurricane, tornado, high winds, flooding, thunderstorms, etc. And mother nature can be unforgiving and can cause significant damage to your property, injuries, and fatalities. According to Injury Facts, winter weather, thunderstorms, and tornadoes are some of the most deadly weather events.

Since we have no control over severe weather, it leaves us with no choice but to prepare for the disaster before it happens. It is crucial to prep yourself if you live in areas prone to severe weather.

Educating yourself about severe weather ensures that you minimize damages and avert fatalities and help your family stay safe throughout the stormy period. Here are harsh weather tips to help you prepare for severe weather.

Know the type of severe weather happening and prepare for risks.

When preparing for extreme weather, the first step is knowing the type of weather event that is going to happen. Thanks to weather forecasters, you can get this information through the news on radio, television, or digital media. Knowing the type of weather event helps you understand the risks and prepare accordingly. You can draft a disaster plan and help members of your family get ready. Help your family understand your disaster plan and how best to respond to such events.

Ensure your home is ready for severe weather

Is your home ready for severe weather? Your safety during a hurricane, flooding, or storms starts with you. There are ways to prepare your home for a disaster, like analyzing if your home is at risk of flooding.

Do a yard cleanup beforehand and ensure no low-lying tree branches and debris in the yard that could damage your property. Overhanging trees can fall easily during severe weather and can cause damage, block the way when you need to evacuate, and injuries to people around.

Fix your roof and windows if they are weak and vulnerable to heavy rains. You can install storm-proof doors and storm shutters for your windows. Ensure that your home is flood-proof by installing a drainage system. Close your doors and windows at times during heavy winds and rains. Also, don’t forget to keep your patio furniture and toys indoors.

Move your vehicles to higher grounds away from trees and power lines. The garage area is the safest place for your cars. Ensure your gas tank is full and have enough fuel for your generators.

preparing for severe weather waukegan illinois

Prepare for emergencies

Once your home is ready for severe weather, it is time to put an emergency plan in place. How are you going to survive during the weather season? What do you need in case of evacuation?

Identify a space place in your home to take shelter when the severe storms hit. The room should offer protection from heavy winds, hails, and debris. You can consider the bathroom, basement, closets, or hallways for in-shelter during lousy weather.

Get enough food supplies and clean water that can last you throughout the extreme weather period. Also, have a first aid kit and medicines you may need ready. Secure your important documents, get your car ready, and identify a meeting spot in case of an emergency.

Extreme weather may damage the power line, so it is crucial to have a power backup if the power lines go off. Additionally, pack your emergency kit beforehand because things can escalate quickly during severe weather conditions. Have contacts of people to contact during an emergency like the local authority department that deals with emergencies.

Plan for safe evacuation

Evacuation may be inevitable when the weather is extreme. Ensure that your emergency kit has all the supplies you will need like blankets, extra clothes, food, clean water, important documents, cash, medicine, boots, emergency phone numbers, and a first aid kit.

Clean up after the storm settles.

In case you evacuate, return when the storm is over and assess the damage. You can rent a dumpster from TKG services and start cleaning out all the debris. Contact us with any questions.

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Yard Clean Up Tips

Having a clean and lush-green yard is one thing that makes your home feel like a haven. However, maintaining a yard throughout the year can be a hassle because of the different seasons. One season your lawn is overgrown, and the next season you have tree foliage all over the yard. And depending on your yard size, you may need to put in more effort and time to clean up.

Cleaning up your yard boosts your home’s curb appeal and also gives you a clean and well-manicured outdoor space to relax. This post will cover the vital yard cleanup tips to help you manage your lawn.

Get the must-have yard clean up tools.

Doing a thorough yard clean up job requires sharp yard tools. Whether you outsource your yard clean up or DIY, having a few tools will help you keep up with the yard all year round. Get the right yard cleanup tools like the lawnmower to mow overgrown grass.

You will also need a wheelbarrow, a rake, and a shovel to maintain your lawn in good condition. Clearing tools and hedge clippers will come in handy when trimming and cutting down overgrown tree branches. You can also get garden bags, a yard vacuum, and a leaf shredder to pick up and shredded leaves for easy composting. Another important tool you need in the yard is a roll-off dumpster. You will need a dumpster to dispose of any debris from your yard clean up.

Yard Clean Up Tips

Work your way from up to down.

The best way to start working on your yard is to start with the big trees and bushes. You can start cutting down overgrown tree branches and trimming your bushes before working on the lawn and planting beds. Get a chainsaw and cut down damaged and dead branches. The hedge clippers and a shrub rake will give your bushes a beautiful look.

Once you have the damaged branches and the shrubs out of the way, you can start collecting the clippings and dead leaves on the ground. Dead leaves on the ground are pesty! Use the yard vacuum and a rake to pick up all the leaves littering your lawn. Pile them up and start composting. The organic matter in the compost is useful to the soil.

Start mowing.

The lawn grass is another thing you will have to deal with when cleaning your yard. Start mowing after picking up the dead branches and leaves. Level up your lawn and get rid of any debris littering the grass area. The worst part of mowing grass is dealing with dog waste. You can get some heavy gloves and a pooper-scooper to handle the unpleasant litter. You can use the grass clippings to mulch your garden beds, lawn, and planting containers.

Fix the patches on the yard.

Bad weather, snow, or pets can damage your yard and cause bare patches. These patches can be an eyesore, and you should fix them early. Plant new grass on these spots to give your yard an even look.

Deal with the weeds.

Lawn weeds are the last thing you want to see in your yard. Get rid of weed as early as possible before they gain strong roots. You can plant wildflowers or use organic herbicide to prevent weeds from growing in your yard. According to Almanac, you can also minimize weeds by using mulch and avoiding spring fertilization on the lawn. 

Dispose of the yard debris.

The final stage of a clean and well-manicured yard is disposing of the yard waste. The debris from all the yard clean up work can fill a dumpster. Luckily, you can delegate this part to us here at TKG Services. Ready to tackle a weekend yard clean up project? Contact us today and have your dumpster delivered in no time.