The average American will throw away about 600 times the amount of their adult weight in garbage in a lifetime. In some cases, trash removal may require the use of a dumpster rental. If you plan to use one to remove trash from your home, it’s necessary to provide the proper protection for your driveway. Here’s how you can help prevent your driveway from being damaged by a dumpster rental.
1. Have boards placed beneath the dumpster
It’s possible that some dumpster rental companies will offer to do this for you. Be sure to ask if they provide boards or plywood for the dumpster to be placed on. If they don’t, you can choose to buy some boards to place on your driveway before the delivery. The wood will act as a cushion between the driveway and the dumpster. It will also spread the weight out similar to if the dumpster was placed on the grass.
2. Don’t overfill the dumpster
Your dumpster rental provider will recommend how high you can fill the dumpster based on the debris you’ll be throwing away. Be sure to follow these recommendations to avoid putting excessive strain on your driveway. You should be particularly cautious if your garbage removal will involving throwing away heavy materials. Examples of heavy material not to overload your dumpster with include concrete, roofing shingles, dirt, and bricks. If you have an asphalt driveway, be aware that these driveways tend to be most at risk of strain.
3. Opt for a rubber-wheeled trailer dumpster
Ask if the rental dumpster company you’re considering has rubber-wheeled trailer dumpsters. Roll-off dumpsters often have steel wheels and feet, which can put more stress on your driveway. Rubber tires will be a softer platform on your driveway, which can lessen the chances of scrapping or damage. If you do use one, also make sure you place some wood underneath the tongue of the trailer.
4. Have the dumpster placed on the street
First, you should learn if your city or town allows for rental dumpsters to be placed in the street. If you learn that it is permitted, then you should find out if you’ll need to obtain a dumpster permit. Placing a rental dumpster in the street without a permit can result in having to pay a fine. Generally, it’s not necessary to get a permit if you’ll be placing your rental on your driveway. If you are able to place the dumpster in your street and obtain the necessary permit to avoid fines, this will guarantee that your driveway will not be damaged.
What action should I take if my property is damaged?
Sometimes despite the proper precautions taken, situations can occur where a dumpster ends up damaging your driveway. It’s important that the rental provider you choose is properly insured to cover the damage that gets caused. Most dumpster rental providers are willing to work out a resolution if the damage was caused by the company. Be sure to take time to fully understand the agreement you sign. Most agreements will have a statement that if a customer uses the dumpster in a way not recommended by the company, the company will not be responsible for the damage.
Using a dumpster rental is sometimes necessary for the removal of debris from your property. Taking precautions will limit the likelihood of any damage to your driveway. Keep these tips in mind to help protect your driveway, and always be sure to read the dumpster rental company’s contract to understand your options if damage occurs.
