What you consider to be valuable and what someone else deems as having value can be two very different things. Most people believe a common definition of junk is an item of no value that is taking up space better used for something that has greater purpose. Items that typically fall into this category include damaged stuff, worn out items, things that have outlasted their purpose (the telephone handset anyone?) or just anything that has lost value over time. Where things get difficult is when a person’s perception of value is skewed due to sentimental value or some bond that is formed with a prized lamp or set of encyclopedias because they remind the owner of a simpler time. Hoarders fall into this category and the results can be quite damaging to the home and health of these individuals in the Toronto area.
The Value of Junk
To understand junk value, you should have an understanding of the definition, which states that value can be determined as the cost someone is willing to pay for something. The more a person wants something, the greater the perceived value it has to them – not everyone. Understanding the difference is key to evaluating junk. There are many categories of junk, but the common thread among them is that the item should be thrown away, but for whatever reason keeps hanging around. Professionals in Toronto can help you sift through your personal items and we can easily haul away those that don’t measure up.
Generally speaking, the items below are classified as junk:
- Chemicals – Most viscous and flammable liquids fall into this category and keeping them in your home after they have served the intended purpose is a fire hazard waiting to happen. Many of them also have fumes that can be dangerous if inhaled over long periods of time. The hazardous nature of these chemicals makes them difficult to dispose of since many laws prevent you from pouring them in drains or on the ground, so they tend to sit around as junk in garages and sheds. These items typically cannot be taken by junk removal companies but should be disposed of properly and not simply thrown in the trash.
- Demolition – This is debris you are left with when you are cleaning out the space for a remodeling job in your home in Toronto. When you hire a contractor to perform the job, most times they will take all removed materials with them. However sometimes the homeowner does the renovation and instead of disposing of the damaged drywall, linoleum, carpet…etc. they simply toss it in the garage or in the backyard. These piles of debris can be health hazards and are also havens for rodents.
- Broken/Worn Furniture – Items that require expensive repairs fall into this category because homeowners can’t afford to make the repair but hate to see their favorite chair end up at the dump. Also laundry machines and damaged refrigerators are in this category, because the cost of replacing some electrical components can be prohibitive.
- Excess Materials – Leftover patches, sheets or scraps of fabric from completed projects typically land in the attic or garage because the materials were expensive at one time. Due to irregular shapes and sizes there is not enough material to re-sell or cover additional furniture or carpet, but people have trouble throwing away these goods.
The easiest way to classify junk is to say it is a worthless material. Identifying junk and hiring an efficient junk removal service like 1-800-IAM-JUNK in the Toronto area can help you sort through the mess and organize the items that have more than just your perceived value.