Skip bins are the most convenient way for disposing of waste. There are many other reasons related to this growing popularity of the skip bins.

First of all, it is the perfect way to dispose of a huge amount of commercial rubbish. At the same time, even homeowners can resort to a skip bin hire to clean up their property after a renovation, storm damage, garden makeover or a simple de-cluttering.

So, regardless of any type of waste, a skip bin can be a perfect solution for rubbish removal. Depending on the types of waste generated, you need to sort out the waste. Once you are sorted, the next step is finding the right skip bin for you.

Do I need a council permit to hire a skip bin?

Well, it depends.

Hiring a skip bin requires a council permit depending on where you are going to place it. Though, this general process of seeking a permit may vary from council to council. Each council may have their own specific set of requirements in terms of where you can place the skip bin.

So, before you set out to hire a skip bin, it is recommended to explore the types and sizes of skip bin available. This will further narrow down your requirement of seeking a permit depending on the size, type and location of the skip bin.

Well, in most cases, the best option is to place a skip in your own property. This straight away eliminates the need to apply for a permit. But this is not always possible – especially if you live in an apartment or unit where there is no driveway, yard or enough access for a skip to be placed.

Hence, the next best option is the public property – unless your neighbours don’t have any issue with it. In this case, you will obviously need permission for placing a skip.

What comes under public property?

Roads and streets are definitely a public property – so, you need to be careful regarding the permits if this is where you are planning to place the skip.

Does your street have a nature strip? The nature strip is a piece of land between the front boundary of your property and the street. These nature strips often include a footpath, though, it isn’t always necessary. Now, this comes under a council property, so if any part of your skip is on the strip, you will require a permit.

Additionally, any part of your driveway that extends the legal boundary of your property will also be considered under the public property. So, when you are placing your skip on a public property, there are certain considerations to be met.

Considerations while applying for a council permit

The general information needed while applying for a council permit involves:

• Why do you need a skip bin?
• Where are you planning to place the skip?
• What duration will you keep the skip on the public property?
• From where are you hiring the skip bin services?
• What type of skin bin are you planning to hire?

Applying for a council permit

The first thing to check before hiring a skip bin company is that they are registered with the respective council. Also, they should have provided the details of their public liability insurance to the council.

The council permit can be obtained by both – you or the skip bin operator. You will have to pay a fee in most council areas. Also, you will need to give a certain amount of advance notice along with the specifications mentioned above. The authorised council officer will assess the application and inspect the placement of the bin. The cost of permits and the duration of this process will vary significantly depending on the area.

There are certain norms that you need to adhere to while getting the permit from the council:

• You should complete the application form and send it to the council in advance.
• You must not place the bin in no stopping areas, clearway, loading zones, bus zones, driveways, pathways and on the heavy traffic roads.
• The bin must not cause any obstruction to the pedestrians or motorists on the road.
• You must leave a minimum space for the traffic to move around freely. This space is different for different councils. For instance, it is 4 metres in Maribyrnong council and 3 metres in the city of Port Phillip.
• The waste generated and collected must not cause any potential health hazard to the residents as well as the environment like rotting or causing offensive odours.
• The skip bin must be fitted with a side marker light and this light must operate effectively and should be clearly visible.
• The name and contact details of the skip bin company must be clearly visible on the skip bin.
• The entire process of placing and removing the skip bin must not cause any damage to the public property.
• Still, if any damage is caused due to whatsoever reason, the permit holder will be liable to bear the costs.

Summing up

Basically, if it is your personal property, you won’t need a council permit to place a skip bin. But, in a case when you are planning to use the public property for the same, getting a council permit becomes imperative. It is recommended to check out your respective council norms and go ahead with the application process.

Once the gargantuan task of home painting is complete, you’re just going to want to sit back, relax and enjoy the new look you’ve injected your “haunts” with.

But whether it was a hired contractor who tackled the project or your own efforts that yielded the colourful results, the act of painting your house’s interior or exterior is a major investment of time and money…and you should always be considering the ways to keep it looking its best.

Taken from a post-painting perspective, extending the longevity of your paint as much as possible is the goal, and we have some great residential painting tips to offer in this area.

Maintaining interior paint

Checking for spots and stains

Spots and stains will accumulate on your home painting job over time; to ease the discomfort of cleaning difficult-to-remove spots from your walls, it’s best to get to them immediately. This technique may sound simple on the surface but consider that you may not be aware of spots upon their initial appearance.

Take some time to examine high-traffic areas, as this will help you pinpoint potential spots that need treatment. You can rest assured knowing that when we say these high-traffic areas encompass staircase walls, hallways, kitchens and kids’ bedrooms, it’s an accurate statement. Additionally, pay attention to areas where pets or children enjoy play time or where furniture – including chairs or sofas – touches the walls.

Cleaning spots and stains

Upon determining an area that needs cleaning, we recommend washing it with a damp sponge; if deeper cleaning is necessary, add a small amount of dishwasher detergent to the damp sponge (though don’t make it soaking wet).

Dealing with mould

Mould loves high levels of humidity and warmth, so for warm and humid rooms – like basements and bathrooms – you can purchase special paints that prevent the emergence of mould (you can also ask a professional painter how they can help with the application of such paints). If you do find a wall with mould or mildew on it, examine the affected area to determine the infestation’s severity.

You can clean it using a solution of one-part bleach to four parts water (ensure to test the bleach solution on a small spot initially) – if the area is larger than nine square-feet, consider turning to a professional cleaning service.

The battle against fading paint

One of the best ways to avoid paint that fades are to invest in a high-quality paint right from the get-go. Professional painters always inform clients that colour fade, when using a high-quality paint (even in bright sunlight), is not a problem. If you are uncertain as to the quality of paint currently on your walls, use shades or curtains to block incoming sunlight.

Maintaining exterior paint

Avoiding rot

Did you know that paint provides much more than just injections of colour to the surface of your home? It’s true.

It also retards the process of rotting and weathering of surfaces, and therefore it’s important to check that the undersides of corner boards are fully painted – whether you’re painting your home yourself or turning to a professional. If the bottom of corner boards isn’t painted, it will absorb water and cause the board to rot.

Frequency of maintenance

Exterior paint maintenance is dependent on the material or siding that is used on your home, and we can tell you that paint on stucco generally endures longer than it does on wood trim. What does this mean for homeowners? Those with wood siding should expect to repaint their homes more often than those with stucco.

Environment is also a factor here, in that it plays a role in the life of your paint job; homeowners living in milder climates will experience longer-lasting paint jobs than those who live in harsher environments. Generally, though, you should expect to repaint your home every six to 10 years.

Dealing with the spectres of mould and mildew (again)

Once more, the growth of mould and mildew rear their ugly heads when the subject of exterior paint comes up. To avoid this problem, you can purchase exterior paint with special additives that will help prevent mould and mildew from taking hold and attacking surfaces.

Three-coat system

During an exterior paint job, problem areas could develop due to exposure to the elements, and we can tell you from vast experience that after years of vulnerability to rain, wind, snow and sun, your paint can begin to peel.

If you are experiencing problem areas on the exterior of your home, such as peeling window seals or fascia boards, it’s a good idea to put two coat finishes on those areas. Professional painters take care of this for clients when they’re hired, starting with a high-quality primer paint followed by two coats of finish paint (thus, a “three-coat system”).

A quality paint job will bring new life to your interior and exterior, and when properly maintained, can last for years. By following our tips, you can keep your paint looking like new throughout the full lifetime of your investment while enjoying the look of your home for years to come.