If you’re like many American homeowners who’ve lived in their house for 10-plus years, you may have a junk car gathering dust—and rust—in your yard. While it might seem like a massive undertaking to get rid of it, or perhaps you’re holding onto it for sentimental reasons, the benefits of removing this eyesore can far outweigh any reasons you may have for keeping it around.
This article discusses the various benefits of getting rid of a junk vehicle, such as how saying farewell to that old automobile may improve your home’s curb appeal, freeing up space, and general safety. Not to mention that clunker may surprise you with its cash potential!
7 Best Reasons to Remove a Junk Car from Your Yard
Whether the vehicle in question resides in your front or backyard, here are the best reasons to take action and get that bucket of bolts out of your life!
#1 Aesthetic Reasons
Curb appeal refers to the initial impression someone has of your home when they see it for the first time. If selling, curb appeal is a key factor potential buyers look at. A well-kept yard adds value and, to many homeowners, a sense of pride. Junk cars can reflect carelessness and chaos, reducing the attractiveness of your property.
A junk car takes up valuable space that could otherwise be used for landscaping or hardscaping purposes, such as an outdoor firepit. After removing the auto, you may also have space for a flower bed, shade tree, or small garden.
Clutter in any form can be visually overwhelming and can make a space seem smaller and more confined. Removing a immobile car can help to declutter your yard, making it seem larger and more open.
A rusty car in a well-kept yard stands out. Removing it may restore visual harmony, not just for your family but your neighbors’ too, and enable the eye to travel effortlessly around the property.
Removing a crappy automobile allows attention to return to the house and yard. Instead of an outdated automobile, people will see your windows, architectural style, manicured lawn, and other aesthetically pleasing focal points of your property.
#2 Safety Hazards
Junk car removal significantly improves safety on your property. Old, deteriorating vehicles can pose physical risks, due to protruding sharp, rusty edges and broken parts. Children and pets are particularly at risk of injury around an old rust bucket.
Old car batteries may leak harmful acid, while leaking fluids that are flammable like oil or gas can raise fire risks, especially during hot weather.
Junk cars can also entrap wildlife, leading to dangerous situations, or serve as breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests like rats and mosquitoes.
Lastly, they may leak toxic substances like oil, coolant, or brake fluid, contaminating the soil and groundwater, posing a threat to humans, pets, and local wildlife.
#3 Legal Compliance
Local regulations or HOA restrictions may prohibit the storing of fixer-uppers or non-operational automobiles visible from the street. These rules are usually in place to protect the community’s aesthetics, safety, and ecology from deteriorating vehicles.
Many HOAs prohibit non-operational automobiles in driveways or yards. Even if the automobile works, some HOAs have driveway parking requirements. Thus, vehicle removal from the property is essential for HOA or local legal compliance.
Removing a junk vehicle helps minimize penalties and conflicts with neighbors and the HOA board, making it a crucial part of being a responsible and polite community member.
Keep in mind HOAs don’t always play fairly. Rules can be made and enacted overnight by the board or governing management company.
Some townships and counties create ordinances that require private automobiles to be functional and registered with the state. An automobile that doesn’t meet certain regulations is often deemed a “junk vehicle” that can’t be parked in public or private lots. Failure to follow local laws could result in fines and other legal action.
#4 Free Up Space
Junk automobile removal immediately frees up, what many consider to be, highly-coveted property space. A scrap car, truck, or SUV in your yard might take up a lot of space that could be better used, such as freeing up driveway or carport space for your working cars.
If you want to beautify your house or yard, you may turn the junk car’s place into a vegetable garden, playground, outdoor kitchen, pergola, or seating area. Even without a design, a clean, open space can make your yard appear bigger and more inviting.
#5 Financial Benefit
Removing a junk car from your property isn’t just about decluttering and improving aesthetics – it can also translate into financial benefits. Many people don’t realize that their old, seemingly worthless car might still hold some value.
Junk car removal companies pay cash for clunkers, regardless of their condition. These companies can salvage valuable parts from the car to resell, or they can scrap the metal. Some companies even specialize in refurbishing old vehicles. Instead of hiring someone to dispose of your vehicle, you could have a company show-up, hand you cash, and tow away your vehicle free of charge.
Optionally, you can donate your car and get a tax break. As a charitable contribution deduction, donating a vehicle may save you money. Based on how the organization uses your gift, the IRS permits two tax deductible methods. If the charity sells your automobile, you may only deduct the sales price. Otherwise, utilize the car’s fair market value.
#6 Pest Control
A parked automobile in your yard might attract bugs or vermin, like rats, mice, and squirrels interested in nesting under the hood, in the trunk, or in the vehicle itself. Spiders, ants, bees, and a variety of other insects may also be interested in making the car their home.
An infestation poses a health risk and provides a constant supply of pests that may spread to your house and onto neighbor’s land. Getting the breeding ground out of there eliminates this risk.
There’s also the chance of attracting bigger, more dangerous, animals like raccoons, snakes, or feral cats seeking a birthing place.
#7 Health Concerns
Abandoned vehicles may lead to an array of potential health issues. First, as mentioned, they can attract rats, insects, and snakes. Pests bite and may spread illnesses or infection to people and pets.
Mosquitoes growing in stagnant automobile water may transmit West Nile and Zika viruses, putting people who are pregnant or planning to have a child at risk.
Final Words
Rotting cars release harmful chemicals. Oil, coolant, and brake fluid can contaminate soil and groundwater. If children or dogs come into contact with the polluted area, this might cause poisoning or irritability. Many of these chemicals and an old car’s materials are hazardous if vapors are breathed in, which can cause respiratory issues.
Additionally, long-sitting automobiles may develop mold and mildew, especially in upholstery and other organic materials. Airborne asbestos and mold spores are known to cause respiratory problems, particularly in asthmatics and allergy sufferers.
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