Hurricane season runs June through November down here, and if you've been through one, you know the cleanup is its own project. Here's what we've learned hauling debris around Charlotte and Lee County, and how to make the dumpster part go smoother. None of it is complicated, but a little planning up front saves you a real headache later.
Book earlier than you think
After a big storm, every dumpster in the county is spoken for. The week after Hurricane Ian, you couldn't find one anywhere. If a storm is coming and you know you'll have debris, get on the schedule early. Same goes for the cleanup after. The sooner you call, the sooner you're in line.
Pickups slow down for everyone
It's not only availability. The landfills and transfer stations back up after a storm, sometimes lines that stretch for miles. So even once your dumpster is full, hauling it off takes longer than usual. We keep you posted, but plan for the whole thing to run slower than a normal week.
What size you'll want
Storm cleanup adds up fast. Downed branches, fencing, soaked drywall, ruined furniture, and torn-off roofing fill a dumpster quicker than people expect, and wet debris is heavy. For most storm jobs we point folks toward the 15 or 20 yard so they're not paying for a second haul. If you're not sure, send a photo of the pile and we'll tell you which one fits, and roughly what the weight will run.
Watch your tires
Storm debris means nails, a lot of them. Everyone's roof has been picked apart, so the roads to the landfill are covered in screws and roofing nails. We run 16-ply tires on the truck and still patch them constantly after a storm. After Ian I did almost a dozen patches just on my wife's car, and she wasn't even going to the dump. Keep that in mind driving around your own neighborhood.
Photos help with the insurance claim
We photograph every drop and pickup anyway, but after a storm those before-and-after shots are worth having. If you're filing a claim, having a record of what got hauled and the condition of the property can help. Ask us and we'll send the photos over.
We can get to the soft spots
Storms leave yards torn up and driveways buried in debris. Our truck is four-wheel drive for exactly this, so a muddy lot or a half-graded job site usually isn't a problem. If you've got a tight or messy spot, tell us when you call and we'll work it out. We'd rather know ahead of time than show up and find out we can't get the truck in.
Storm cleanup is rough enough without chasing down a dumpster. If you're getting ready for a season of it or digging out after one, call or text 239-412-3283 and we'll get you on the calendar. We rent roll-off dumpsters in three sizes, and we handle full cleanouts if you'd rather we do the hauling.