Author: tfarrell

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The Dangers of Hoarding

Thanks
to TLC’s popular TV show, many people are now aware of the mental
disorder known as hoarding. For those of you who have never seen the
show or heard the term, hoarding is defined as, “the persistent
difficulty to discard possessions because of a perceived need to save
them.”
Basically,
those with a hoarding mentality suffer from extreme anxiety at the
thought of getting rid of their items – regardless of their value.
After several weeks, months, and years, this leads to an excessive
accumulation of stuff, and it begins to take over their homes and
lives.
While
people find the television program entertaining and even amusing,
many don’t realize the effects that hoarding can have on a person’s
safety and health. Severe hoarding can lead to some legitimate
dangers, such as:
  • Fire hazards.
    Hoarding creates fire hazards
    in more ways than one; stored objects can be flammable, and the
    amount of clutter can block escape routes and prevent firefighters
    from finding victims.
  • Homelessness. If
    the hoarding becomes too severe, the Department of Public Health or
    a landlord can order the person out of the building. Shelters have
    also been known to ban those whose hoarding puts others at risk.
  • Risks to Children
    and Pets.     In some cases,
    hoarding can lead to the forfeiture of children or pets, hefty
    fines, and even imprisonment. This happens when the court deems that
    a home’s living conditions are unacceptable due to the mess that
    hoarding has created.
  • Mold. Mold
    can grow anywhere moisture is present, and exposure to it can cause
    allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, and even respiratory
    infections. A hoarder could have a mold problem and not even see it
    due to the vast amounts of clutter.
  • Structural
    Integrity.     Depending on the
    type of objects that are hoarded, stacking too much weight could
    actually damage the structure of your home.
Do
you need a hand getting rid of your excess junk? Whether or not you
qualify as a hoarder, we could all stand to clean up our homes a
little and reclaim our space! 1-866-We-Junk-It offers junk removal
services to Long Island and New York City, including dumpster
rentals, demolition, and clean outs. Call us today for a free quote
at 866-935-8654.
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5 Signs That Something is Junk

To trash, or not to trash? That is the question. If you are cleaning out
your home and debating whether or not something should be thrown
away, look for these five signs that it is nothing but junk.
1. You Haven’t Used it in
Over a Year
This is
the golden rule when you are debating whether or not you should throw
something out. If you haven’t used it within the past 12 months, be
honest with yourself, when will you ever use it? This rule applies to
everything in the home, but is especially relevant to clothes and
shoes.
2. You Have A Newer
Version
You
have a Blu-Ray player, a DVD player, and a VCR. An iPod, a CD player,
and a Walkman. Several years-worth of cell phones ranging from the
newest iPhone all the way back to the Nokia brick – you get the
picture. If you have a newer, better version (or two or three of
them), there is no point hanging on to the old one; donate it to
someone in need.
3. It is Broken or
Missing a Part
What is
the point of keeping something that doesn’t work? It could be an
incomplete set of golf clubs in the basement or something as small as
a deck of 49 cards; if it has reached the end of its useful life,
it’s time to throw it away.
4. The Space it Takes Up
Is More Valuable Than It Is
If your
attic or basement looks more like a storage warehouse than a part of
your home, it’s time to do a clean out. Big, bulky items that take up
tons of space but serve no purpose in your daily life should be the
first things to go.
5. It Has Expired
Expiration
dates are for more than just food. Medicine, makeup, and batteries
can all go bad after sitting around for too long, don’t let them
consume your cabinets and drawers.
Need an
extra hand getting rid of your garbage? Look no further than
1-866-We-Junk-It. A family owned and operated business based out of
Massapequa, NY, we have provided professional junk removal services
to Long Island and New York City for over 15 years. Whether you want
our guys to clean out your house for you, or you just need a dumpster
so you can do it yourself, we can help you claim your house back!
Visit our website or call us for a free quote at 1-866-935-8654.
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Steps To An Easy Garage Cleanout

For
many homeowners, their garage has become a storage warehouse for
their old stuff. So much so, in fact, that there is not even enough
room to park the car. If this sounds like your home, fear not – it
is easy to get rid of the junk and make some extra room, it just
takes a little bit of time and effort.
Here is
your 5-step plan for a successful garage cleanout:
  1. Set aside a weekend.
    If your garage is bursting at
    the seams with your old junk, cleaning it is no short task. It will
    probably take at least one whole day, but play it safe and set aside
    an entire weekend dedicated to getting your garage clean.
  1. Arrange a dumpster
    rental.     In order to make room
    in your garage, some stuff has got to go. But where will it go?
    There is no way it’s all going to fit in your trash cans, so you
    will need to contact a local dumpster company and arrange a rental.
    If you live in Long Island or New York City, 1-866-We-Junk-It is
    your best option.
  1. Move everything to
    the driveway.     Your clean out
    has to start somewhere, and moving everything out of the garage will
    give you a blank canvas. When you are moving out all of your stuff,
    separate it into two piles in the driveway: the stuff you will keep,
    and the stuff you will throw away.
  1. Clean the garage
    floor.     While the garage is
    completely empty, take this time to clean the floor; it is probably
    the best opportunity you will ever have to do it. Sweep up loose
    debris and take care of any oil stains that may have been hiding
    underneath old boxes.
  1. Organize and
    dispose.     Now that your garage
    is perfectly clean and completely empty, the only thing to do is
    refill it with the stuff you plan to keep. Don’t just throw
    everything wherever it will fit though, come up with an organization
    scheme that keeps your garage open and neat. Now, just throw
    everything else in the dumpster, and call the rental provider to
    come pick it up and haul it away. You’re done!
Does
that sound like too much work for you? Let the professional junk
removers at 1-866-We-Junk-It give you a hand! While we do provide
rental dumpsters for those with the DIY spirit, we also offer clean
out services for jobs too big to handle alone. We serve all of Long
Island and the boroughs of New York City, call us for a free quote at
866-935-8654.
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5 Essentials for a Successful Block Party

Autumn
is quickly approaching, and Long Island residents are looking for
exciting ways to spend the last days of summer. While vacations are
one way to do this, hosting a block party is a way to have a great
time without leaving the comfort of your neighborhood.
If you
are planning on throwing a block party for your community, here are
five things you need to have:
  1. Necessary Permits.
    The first thing you will want
    to do when planning a block party is check with your local
    government to see if you need a permit. Permits may be required if
    you are hosting the party on public property (such as a street or a
    park), if alcohol is being consumed, or if you are using audio
    amplifiers.
  2. Great Food.
    Delicious food is fundamental
    in any good block party. Buy food that can easily be cooked in large
    quantities on a grill, and make sure you have at least one option
    for those who may be vegetarian or allergic to gluten.
  3. Entertainment. For
    a neighborhood block party, you will want to have entertainment for
    guests of all ages. Music is a must, and other fun activities could
    include water balloon fights, carnival games, balloon twisters,
    magicians, or even a petting zoo.
  4. Bathrooms. Although
    these are an absolute necessity, they are easy to forget about.
    Unless you want everyone at the party to use your home’s bathroom,
    you will want to rent a handful of porta-potties so your guests have
    a place to relieve themselves.
  5. Method of Garbage
    Disposal.     Waste management is
    another factor that often goes under the radar. Many people don’t
    even think about it until they have a mound of paper plates, cups,
    and food scraps to dispose of. Do yourself a favor and rent a
    dumpster for your block party, it is an effective, convenient
    solution for all of your garbage needs.
Need
to rent a dumpster for your Long Island block party? Even if it
initially slipped your mind, it’s not too late to order one from
1-866-We-Junk-It. We have dumpsters available in sizes up to 30 cubic
yards, big enough to hold trash of the entire neighborhood! Visit ourwebsite or call us today for a free quote at 1-866-935-8654.
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5 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Recycle

Even
though the United States accounts for only 5% of the world’s
population, we are responsible for 40% of its waste. This number
could be drastically reduced if we made a greater effort to recycle
our old and unused goods.
It is
not always the fact that people are unwilling to recycle, many times
people are just unaware of how many products can be given a second
life. Check out this list of 5 things you didn’t know you could
recycle:
Used Motor Oil

The EPA states that the used oil from just one oil change can
contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water. If all DIY oil changers
recycled their used oil, it would not only save our waterways, there
would be enough re-refined oil for 50 million cars to use every year.
Eyeglasses
More than 4 million pairs of eyeglasses get thrown away each year,
but there is a better use from them. Bring your old specs to a local
Lion’s Club or lens dealer and they will clean them and redistribute
them to those in need in developing countries.
Old Cell Phones
Everyone has a drawer in their house filled with old flip phones that
are no longer in service. Instead of letting them sit there
collecting dust, give them a second life. Depending on the model and
condition of your phone, it could be used for parts, refurbished, or
even given to someone in need for the sole purpose of making
emergency calls.
Running Shoes
Got a pair of smelly old running shoes that are worn down to the
sole? While your first inclination is to toss them in the trash,
there is a better option. Head to your local Nike store and drop them
in their Reuse-a-Shoe recycling bin; they will grind them down and
use them in future projects such as running tracks and gym floors.
Appliances
Many older appliances contain hazardous materials which can
contaminate soil and water systems if they are not properly disposed
of. Instead of harming the environment, recycle your old appliance or
donate it to Goodwill if it is still in working condition.
Interested in learning more about recycling? Check out these other household goods that can be given a second life!
Are you conducting a home clean out? If you are unsure about what can
and cannot be recycled, just rent a dumpster from 1-866-We-Junk-It.
We offer same-day rental dumpster deliveries and will pick it up
whenever is convenient for you. After we haul it away, we sort
through your junk and donate or recycle all salvageable materials.
Have peace of mind knowing you are hiring an
environmentally-responsible company. Click here to visit our website
or call us for a free quote at 1-866-935-8654.
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Preparing for a Garage Sale: A Comprehensive Checklist

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If you are looking
to get rid of your old stuff and make some money while doing it, you
should host a garage sale. Although they seem easy to plan, missing
just one or two steps could be the difference between a successful
sale and a complete bust.
Use this checklist when planning your upcoming garage sale to ensure
you take all the necessary steps for a prosperous endeavor.
Two
Weeks Prior
  • Set a date and time for your sale.
  • Decide what items you will be selling.
  • Check local laws and regulations for yard sales.
One
Week Prior
  • Arrange to borrow or rent folding tables, if necessary.
  • Clean and repair sale items.
  • Price all sale items and organize them into separate piles.
  • Buy needed supplies and make signage to place around your
    neighborhood.
  • Advertise your garage sale in local newspapers and online sites such
    as Craigslist.
One
Day Prior
  • Go to the bank and get change.
  • Gather bags, boxes, packaging material for fragile items, etc.
  • Decide where you will post signs.
  • Post about the sale on your social media accounts.
Sale
Day
  • Post signs around your neighborhood.
  • Set up your sales area (give yourself at least two hours to do
    this).
  • Add music and refreshments to make it more enjoyable for shoppers.
After
the Sale
  • Count money and deposit it into the bank, if necessary.
  • Put away unsold items, donate them to charity, put them on the curb
    with a “FREE” sign, or throw them away.
  • Take down signs.
Following these steps ensures that you will be ready for your garage
sale, but if you really want to make it as successful as
possible, check out these five tips.
When you are going through your old stuff, you will quickly find that
there are things that you want to get rid of which might not be
sellable. If you need a hand removing the extra junk from your home,
call the waste management professionals at 1-866-We-Junk-It. We offer
rental dumpsters, home clean outs, and demolition services for homes
and businesses across Long Island and New York City. Visit our
website for more information or call us at 1-866-935-8654.
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What You Need to Know About Illegal Dumping

Illegal
dumping has become a rising problem in our country, with many
perpetrators venturing off in the middle of the night to unlawfully
dispose of their unwanted waste. Due to the danger that illegal
dumping poses on the environment, many state and local governments
are cracking down and prosecuting offenders.
Read
below to learn more about what illegal dumping is, the consequences
you may face if caught, and how to avoid committing the crime all
together.

What is Illegal Dumping?

What
constitutes illegal dumping can vary from state to state, and even
town to town, but generally speaking, it is disposing of your waste
without a permit in an unauthorized area. Some examples of this
include:
  • Dumping
    waste on private or public property which is not licensed to receive
    waste.
  • Dumping
    waste where it can damage the environment, such as in sewers or
    waterways.
Illegal
dumping usually occurs because people feel that proper disposal is
“too inconvenient”, or they do not want to pay the fee associated
with it.
What
is the difference between illegal dumping and littering?
Again,
this can vary depending on state and local laws, but illegal dumping
is typically differentiated from littering based on the volume and
type of waste. Tossing an empty water bottle on the side of the road,
for example, is usually considered littering, whereas disposing of an
old refrigerator or several bags of trash could land you an offense
for illegal dumping.

What are the Consequences
of Illegal Dumping?

Depending
on the type of waste and how much of it you dispose of, illegal
dumping could be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Possible
penalties include:
  • Remediation and
    restitution.     You
    may be required to clean up your waste and pay for any damage caused
    by it.
  • Community
    service.     You
    may be required to work unpaid for a designated amount of hours at a
    court-approved charity.
  • Probation.
    Probation
    terms could include regular meetings with a probation officer,
    attending counseling, and restrictions on when/where you can travel.
  • Fines. You
    may be required to pay a certain amount, sometimes thousands of
    dollars.
  • Incarceration.
    That’s
    right, you can even go to prison. If you are put on trial for a
    felony and found guilty, your jail time could be multiple years.
For
more information about illegal dumping penalties, check out this
article from Criminal Defense Lawyer.

How to Avoid Dumping
Illegally

The
easiest way to avoid illegal dumping is by hiring a licensed waste
remover to haul away all of your garbage. Luckily for Long Island and
New York City residents, 1-866-We-Junk-It is just a phone call away.
We offer a full suite of waste management services including dumpster
rentals and junk removal. Call us today for a free quote at
1-866-935-8654.
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Save Money By Doing These 3 Home Improvement Projects in the Summer

Are you
contemplating a home improvement project or renovation? If so, summer might be the perfect time to do it. Depending on
where you live, the summer months can provide an ideal climate for
certain renovations. Other benefits of remodeling in the summer
include:
  • Greater
    availability of less-expensive labor.
  • Contractors
    are more willing to work during warmer months.
  • Many
    other people won’t schedule during the summer due to vacation
    conflicts and their kids being home from school.
Looking
to get started? Here are three renovations which can save you money
if done in the summer:
  • Asphalt Paving.
    If
    you need a new driveway, don’t wait until fall. Asphalt paving is
    best to do in the hot summer months because asphalt requires high
    temperatures to prevent premature hardening. This gives your
    contractor more time to create a smooth, level surface before the
    asphalt cures and it increases your chances of the job getting done
    right the first time.
  • Kitchen
    Remodeling.     If
    you are getting your kitchen redone, chances are you and your family
    will be eating out every night during the remodel – all of that
    food can add up. Instead, you can take advantage of the warm weather
    and save money by cooking your dinners outside on the grill.
  • Landscaping.
    Landscaping
    is easiest in the summer when there is no snow and the ground isn’t
    frozen. It is also easier to find seasonal plants in your area
    during the summer months, which can save you a significant amount of
    money.
Ready
to start your next home improvement project? Hold on just a second!
Have you considered waste disposal? If not, give the pros at
866-We-Junk-It a call. We can provide you with a rental dumpster to
use at your convenience, or we will come and haul away all of your
junk for a reasonable rate. We serve all of Long Island and New York
City, so give us a call for a free quote today at 866-935-8654.
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8 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

In
recent years, there has been a growing concern over global pollution
and climate change. With the warm summer weather here, emissions are
sure to climb as people crank up their AC’s and travel long distances
for their week-long getaways.
If you
are looking for ideas to help the environment and save yourself some
money this summer, check out these eight ways to reduce your carbon
footprint.
1. Turn the thermostat up
2 degrees.
During
the hot summer months, you can reduce your household energy
consumption by turning your thermostat up 2° F. This small change
can result in a 5% savings on your monthly energy bill without
sacrificing the comfort of your family.
2. Be smart with your
light bulbs.
If you
are still using old, incandescent light bulbs in your home, upgrade
them to highly-efficient LED models. You should also turn off the
lights when you leave the room to save even more energy.
3. Bike, take the bus, or
carpool.
Whenever
possible, walk or ride your bike to completely eliminate any CO2
emissions. For longer trips, carpool or take public transportation to
drastically reduce your emissions by dividing it among several
people.
4. Insulate your home.
If your
home is poorly-insulated, your money could be going right out the
window – literally. A large portion of your air-conditioned air can
escape your home through your windows, doors, walls, and ceilings.
5. Take shorter showers.
Taking
a shower only uses 20% of the energy of a bath, and it uses less
water too. You can significantly reduce your water consumption by
making a conscious effort to get in and out of the shower as quickly
as possible.
6. Follow the speed
limit.
Speeding
and unnecessary acceleration can reduce your gas mileage by over 30%!
Maximize your fuel efficiency by obeying the speed limit and using
cruise control during long trips.
7. Unplug your devices.
Did you
know that your electronic devices can still drain energy when they
are turned off? Avoid this “phantom energy” usage by unplugging
all of your devices when they are not in use.
8. Reuse and recycle when
you can.
Every
household can reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by over 2,000
pounds each year simply by recycling household waste instead of
throwing it away. Every town has different rules about what can and
can’t be recycled, so it is best to consult your local government for
a comprehensive list.
For
more ways to reduce your carbon footprint, click here.
1-866-We-Junk-It
is an environmentally-conscious waste management company located on
Long Island, New York. We offer dumpster rentals, junk removal, and
demolition services to homeowners and businesses in Nassau County,
Suffolk County, and the five boroughs of New York City. After we haul
your garbage away, we donate any salvageable goods to local charities
and recycle all possible materials. Learn more about our company by
visiting our website or calling us at 866-935-8654.
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Safety Tips for Your Next Home Renovation

As
homeowners, we are always looking for ways to improve our home’s curb
appeal. One of the quickest ways to enhance the appearance of your
house is with a renovation. Whether it is replacing the windows,
upgrading the siding, or adding a deck, a remodeling project not only
adds to the looks of your home, it can increase its resale value as
well.
Unfortunately,
renovation projects are essentially a small construction site, which
means there are a lot of ways to get hurt. Use these tips during your
next remodeling project to make sure it is as safe as possible.
  • Check your
    contractor’s licensing and insurance.     The
    most important step in a safe remodeling project is an experienced
    contractor that knows what they are doing. Choose a contractor which
    is licensed in your respective state and can provide proof of
    insurance – you don’t want to be held personally liable if someone
    gets hurt on your property.
  • Wear protective
    gear.     Proper safety gear
    depends on the project, but generally speaking, you should always be
    wearing at least safety glasses, gloves, and a hard hat. If you are
    painting, you will want to wear a mask to avoid inhaling the
    dangerous fumes.
  • Dispose of flammable
    materials.     With all of the
    lumber, sawdust, cardboard, and paint present at most renovation
    sites, fire safety should always be a priority. Properly dispose of
    all flammable debris, make the work site a no-smoking zone, and have
    an ABC portable fire extinguisher readily available in the event of
    an emergency.
  • Dumpster safety.
    Believe it or not, dumpsters
    are a common site for injuries in these situations. Keep the path
    from the work site to the dumpster as short as possible and clear of
    tripping hazards, and always load the dumpster evenly to prevent
    tipping. Try to compact the garbage as much as possible, but never
    enter the dumpster to stomp or jump on the debris – you are asking
    to step on a loose nail.
If
you are planning a renovation project, renting a dumpster could save
you a significant amount of time and energy. For projects in New York
City and Long Island, look no further than 1-866-We-Junk-It. We have
provided rental dumpsters, clean outs, and demolition services to
Nassau and Suffolk counties for over 15 years. Visit our website for
more information or call us for a free estimate at 1-866-935-8654.