Once the furnace kicks on for the season, most of us spend a lot more time downstairs. That makes early November a great time to finally tackle the basement, before the holidays fill up the calendar and before the driveway turns icy.

What we are hauling this week

This week our dump trailers have been busy around Temperance and Lambertville with basement and storage room cleanouts: old couches, broken shelving, water-damaged boxes, and the leftover lumber that always seems to collect by the stairs. The load in the photo was headed to the transfer station, packed tight and safely tied down.

Three ways to clear a basement

• Rent a dump trailer. Our 13-yard and 18-yard dump trailers start at $275 for 2 days with 2 tons included. We drop it in your driveway, you load at your own pace, and we haul it away.

• Go bigger with a 20-yard roll-off. Roll-off dumpsters are available now, starting at $325 for 2 days with 3 tons included, or $350 for 5 days. Great for a full basement plus garage weekend.

• Let our crew do the lifting. Do not want to carry a sleeper sofa up the stairs? Our junk removal crew will load it for you.

Quick basement tips

1. Sort into keep, donate, and toss piles before the trailer arrives.

2. Load heavy, flat items first and keep the load level.

3. Check for damp boxes. Mold spreads fast once the house is closed up for winter.

4. Clear a path to the furnace and water heater while you are at it.

We serve Temperance, Lambertville, Monroe, Toledo, and the surrounding area. Call or text 419-704-4397 to book your basement cleanout this week.