It can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $7,500 to replace your driveway. With such a big expense at stake, it’s important to do what you can to keep your current driveway in good condition.
What happens when you need to rent a dumpster? Driveway dumpsters are a cost-effective way to approach waste removal during major renovations and cleanups, but they can also crack or stain your driveway if not placed and used properly.
Working with experienced dumpster rental experts will go a long way toward protecting your driveway. We’re here to offer tips to use no matter what type of dumpster you rent.
Read on to learn how to protect your driveway when renting a driveway.
Clear Out Your Driveway
Your driveway is at highest risk of damage when the dumpster is in motion. The easier it is to drop off and remove the dumpster, the less likely it is that your driveway will become cracked in the process.
Before your driveway dumpster arrives, clear your driveway of all vehicles, bikes, lawn care equipment, and anything else you typically store in that area. Make sure that the entryway to the driveway is also clear. If possible, keep the driveway clear until the dumpster is removed.
Lay Down Protection
The right protection can keep your driveway scratch, crack, and scuff-free. There are a few different options to consider, although we prefer laying wooden planks that keep the dumpster wheels from ever touching your driveway.
You can also cover your driveway with sheets of plywood or large plastic tarps. While plywood and tarps come with the added protection of catching drips and preventing stains, they don’t take on as much of the pressure caused by the wheels.
Distribute Weight Evenly
On average, a residential driveway can hold up to 8,000 pounds before cracking. While there’s no way that you’re going to fill a single dumpster with 8,000 pounds of waste, the distribution of weight matters just as much as the total.
If you’re filling one side of the dumpster and not the other, you’re putting a lot of focused pressure on a few square feet of your driveway. Plus, you’re putting too much pressure on the wooden planks supporting the dumpster. Make sure that you’re throwing waste away so that it fills the dumpster evenly.
Don’t Overfill Your Driveway Dumpsters
Renting a dumpster means that you’ve got a serious amount of waste to dispose of. If you have more waste than a single dumpster can hold, it’s time to have the full dumpster removed and a new dumpster dropped off. There are different types of dumpsters to meet your project needs, but all of them have a maximum loading level that you need to observe.
Overfilling a driveway dumpster will make it much harder to remove it from your property. Not only is an overfilled dumpster heavy, but that layer of waste that exceeds the maximum loading level isn’t secure and can fall onto your driveway, causing a mess and potential damage.
Check for Leaks Before Use
Before you start filling your dumpster, make sure that there are no holes or cracks caused by rust or corrosion. Ideally, you shouldn’t throw large amounts of liquid into a dumpster, but in case liquid does accumulate, you don’t want it to leak onto your driveway where it could cause stains.
When you work with a reputable dumpster rental service, this kind of damage is much less of a concern. We regularly inspect our dumpsters for signs of damage and retire any containers that develop holes or cracks. If we send you a damaged container, we are happy to come back and replace it so that you don’t have to worry about stains.
Consider Alternative Locations
If your driveway is brand new or you’re particularly concerned about protecting it, there are other options to consider. One option is to place the dumpster on a gravel-covered area in your yard or nearby land that you have permission to use.
The other option is to request a permit from the city to place the dumpster on the street outside of your residence. Keep in mind that a permit is required to leave a dumpster on most residential streets, even if it’s right outside of your property line.
Dispose of Waste the Right Way
To get the best experience from using a rental dumpster, you need to use it the right way. There are some types of waste that you should not dispose of in a rental dumpster. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Batteries
- Flammable products
- Freon
- Paint
- Electronics
These kinds of materials require special disposal under federal, state, or local regulations. Many of them can also do damage to our dumpsters and your driveway, as well.
As we mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t overfill your dumpster rental in large part because it could cause waste to spill onto your driveway. Another important way to protect your driveway once the dumpster is already in place is to transport waste from your home or yard to the dumpster with care.
Call LWS for Driveway Dumpsters
Driveway dumpsters are the perfect solution for many major home projects. However, you may have concerns about protecting your driveway when renting a dumpster. At LWS Dumpsters, your home protection is our priority, and we hope that this guide has prepared you for your next dumpster placement.
Do you need to schedule your dumpster rental? Contact us today and let us know what type of dumpsters you’re looking for and when you need them. We’ll send back a free quote so that you can make an informed decision.