There’s something satisfying about watching an old, worn-out roof get torn off and replaced with something brand new. It instantly changes the look of your house. But as anyone who’s done it knows, that satisfaction comes with a massive pile of old shingles, felt paper, and nails. If you’re a DIY homeowner in the Madison area or a contractor looking for a reliable partner, you know that the “waste” part of a roofing project is actually the hardest part to manage.
Here at PDL Waste Solutions, we’ve picked up our fair share of shingles. Here is how to keep your roofing project moving smoothly without turning your property into a disaster zone.
The Weight Factor
Shingles are heavy. Like, really heavy. A typical roof can produce tons of waste, and asphalt shingles are dense. They also soak up water, so keep rain from inflating your disposal weight by tarping the bin. If you underestimate the weight, you’ll end up needing a second dumpster or paying for heavy overages. For most standard residential roof tear-offs, a 15-yard dumpster for roofing or 20-yard dumpster for shingle tear-offs is the “sweet spot.” It’s big enough to hold the bulk of the debris but doesn’t take up half the street. If you’re unsure, contact our team—we can look at the square footage of your roof and give you a solid recommendation based on how many “squares” you’re stripping.
Protecting Your Property
Our trucks and our dumpsters are heavy. Even with our best efforts, placing a 10-ton container on a paved driveway can cause issues, especially in the heat of a Wisconsin summer or on softer ground. We always recommend laying down some plywood where the dumpster will sit. It’s an extra step, but it keeps your driveway looking brand new once the dumpster is gone. Our full guide to prepping your driveway before the dumpster arrives covers placement step by step.
The “Nail Problem”
One of the biggest concerns homeowners have is the “nail factor.” You’re tearing off thousands of nails. Some will land in the grass, and some will end up in the driveway. We always recommend using a magnetic nail sweeper once the job is finished. It’s a cheap, effective way to make sure your kids and your car tires are safe long after we’ve hauled the dumpster away.
Load Management
When you’re throwing shingles, try to keep the load as level as possible. Don’t pile them all in the middle, or you’ll hit that weight capacity or the wall height limit before you’ve even filled the footprint of the bin. If you’re working with a crew, remind them to distribute the load evenly. It saves everyone time and keeps the project within budget.
Why PDL?
We serve Madison, Middleton, Sun Prairie, and all the surrounding communities. We know the local regulations, and we know that if your roof is torn off, you need that bin gone as soon as it’s full so you can finish the job. We don’t play games with delivery windows—we show up when we say we will.
We serve Madison, offer dumpster rental in Middleton, cover Sun Prairie dumpster rentals, and all surrounding communities.
Check out our 5-star reviews on Google to see why contractors and homeowners across Southern Wisconsin trust our roofing dumpster rental service.
If you’re prepping for a roof replacement, let’s chat. We’ll get you the right size, get it to you on time, and make sure the disposal part of your project is one less thing you have to worry about. Get a free quote today.