Preparing for A Roofing Project
Before we talk about the end result of a roofing project—a flawless new roof and a dumpster full of roofing materials ready for disposal—let’s talk a little about some tips and need-to-knows for installing a new roof.
First, safety is paramount here. If you’re DIYing your roof installation instead of hiring seasoned pros, you’ll need to adopt some of their safety measures, such as installing foot holds on the roof, wearing a harness to protect yourself from falling, always working in pairs or groups, and wearing comfortable and appropriate footwear and clothing. Protection from the sun is pretty important, too. Speaking of sun, you’ll want to work on dry days, not rainy or humid ones where surfaces are slippery and the potential for falling is increased.
Choosing Your Type of Shingle
Once you have all your safety measures in place, you’ll be ready to focus on the design of your roof. That means choosing the right kind of shingle for your home (this will help you determine where to dump those types of shingles later). Some of the most popular types of shingles are made of asphalt, wood, clay, tile, or slate. Depending on your area and the predominant style there, you may see some and not others. For instance, terra cotta clay shingles are popular in Southern California and desert locations, while wood shingles have more of a coastal New England feel. No matter where you live, most roofs are made with classic asphalt shingles, though they do come in a variety of colors. Of course, shingles aren’t the only materials that make up a roof. You’ll also need felt paper, wood, underlayment, roofing gravel, and flashing and trim.
How to Get Rid of Shingles
If you’re a true DIYer from start to finish, you may be wondering “where can I dump shingles?” Anyone looking to unload their roof debris themselves will have a few options. If you have the means to haul the materials yourself, you can take care of your own shingle disposal with a trip to the landfill. This is typically a low-cost option, though each facility will charge its own fees based on the weight of your materials, and it may take a few trips to get rid of everything if you’ve only got a pickup truck. If you’re working with a contractor on your project, this may not be an option.
If you’d like to go a more environmentally friendly route, shingle recycling is your best option, but it’s typically only available for asphalt shingles since they can be repurposed to pave roads. You may also have to haul your own shingles, and you’ll have to separate them from your other discarded roofing materials. If you’re interested in doing a little good for your community when you get a new roof, check to see if there’s a shingle recycling facility in your area.
Renting a roll-off dumpster to place on your property throughout your roofing project can help you streamline the process of disposing of your shingles and other debris. ASAP Site Services will deliver your dumpster and pick it up and haul it away when you’re done. All you have to do is determine the right dumpster for your project, place the order, and prep the location.
How do you know which size you’ll need? Most roofing jobs require a 20-cubic-yard dumpster, but we’re happy to discuss the specifics of your project with you before you finalize an order to make sure you’ll have sufficient space.
Now, let’s talk about prepping your location. All you’ll need to do is choose a large, flat piece of your property to set the dumpster on, and you may want to cover it with sheets of plywood—that’ll protect your lawn, driveway, or any other contact surfaces.
What does a roll-off dumpster cost? This depends on the size of your dumpster as well as your location, since the total price includes local landfill fees and hauling mileage. Expect to spend between $500 to $800 for the ease and convenience of a roll-off dumpster and professional haulers. For more information about what dumpster you may need use our debris calculator.
To recap, you’ve got some options to choose from when deciding how to dispose of shingles after a roof replacement: You can recycle them in some areas, you can haul them to a landfill yourself, or you can hire our team of experts to take care of the hauling and disposal for you.
10-Yard Roll-Off Dumpster (1 ton)
15-Yard Roll-Off Dumpster (1 ton)
20-Yard Roll-Off Dumpster (2 tons)
30-Yard Roll-Off Dumpster (2 tons)
40-Yard Roll-Off Dumpster (4 tons)
