Sometimes homeowners leave junk cars on their property instead of getting rid of them. Different people have different reasons for leaving junk cars on their property. Some homeowners usually claim that it’s because of their sentimental value, and others might have hope that they can still fix the vehicle. In some instances, homeowners may be too busy to take the car to a junkyard.
However, leaving a junk car on your property is not advisable. This article highlights five reasons you shouldn’t leave a junk car on your property.
1. Junk Cars Reduce Your Property Value
When you leave a junk car on your property, it will accumulate dust or rust due to constant exposure to moisture. Additionally, when you abandon an old car on your property, constant solar radiation may cause the paint to erode.
Such a car is an eyesore. As a result, your property value may decrease. This is especially a problem if you want to sell your home. To avoid such issues, sell your old car to a junkyard as soon as possible.
2. Junk Cars Attract Pests to Your Home
Pests like rats, ants, spiders, and cockroaches usually look for shelter in various places to avoid predators or protect themselves from extreme weather conditions. A junk car on your property can be a perfect shelter for pests, especially if you don’t check on it regularly.
With time, these pests may find their way into your home and cause various problems. For instance, rats have several adverse health effects on humans. These pests may cause rat bite fever when they bite you or transmit Salmonellosis.
3. Junk Cars Are a Health and Environmental Hazard
Cars contain essential fluids such as engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid, all of which keep them running. Although all vehicles naturally leak fluids, idle cars leak more fluids. Therefore, when you leave an old car on your property, the fluids leak and sink into the ground.
Most car fluids are dangerous to the environment. These fluids may also cause various health effects if you come into contact with them. Additionally, some fluids are highly flammable and may cause a fire accident on your property, leading to losses.
Besides leaking fluids, junk cars normally develop sharp edges, which may injure you or even your pets. Such injuries may cause serious effects such as tetanus.
4. Junk Cars Waste Your Space
One major disadvantage of leaving a junk car on your property is that it takes up unnecessary space. However, if you get rid of the vehicle, you can utilize the space for other purposes.
For instance, you can use the space as a kitchen garden. Moreover, you can use the space to expand your children’s play area. Of course, these uses of the space will only be safe if the ground the car sat on has been cleared of the remnants of any fluids.
5. You’re Violating the Law
In the U.S., the government has put in place a law known as the law of torts or attractive nuisance doctrine. According to this law, if any objects on your property attract children or other people into your property and injure them, you’ll be held liable. This law also applies to abandoned old cars and other objects, including trampolines or swimming pools, and it doesn’t matter if the children were trespassing.
Dealing with such issues can drain you financially since you had not planned for them. You may also waste a lot of time in court in case the affected person decides to sue you. Therefore, it’s better to be safe than sorry and get rid of the vehicle.
Leaving a junk car on your property has several negative effects, as discussed above. Therefore, if you have a junk car on your property and have no plans to repair it, take the vehicle to a junkyard. This way, you’ll avoid several issues and still earn money instead of suffering a total loss. If you’re looking for a junkyard to help you get rid of your junk car, contact City Auto Wreckers.