Cleanup Tips For Dealing With Storm Damage

Whether your home and yard have been damaged by a severe thunderstorm, hurricane, or other natural disasters, you'll want to begin the cleanup process as quickly as possible. This will help to get your home and your life back to normal, and it can also help you to determine which repairs you'll need to undertake. Here are a few tips you can use to begin the cleanup process.

Rent A Dumpster

Renting a dumpster gives you a convenient way to dispose of damaged drywall, debris, downed trees and damaged furniture. A dumpster service can bring a roll-off dumpster directly to your property, and it can also arrange to pick up the container when it is full. Be sure to ask about weight limits and restrictions on items that can be placed in the dumpster so you can plan accordingly. For more information about dumpster rental, contact a local business.

Create An Outdoor Staging Ground

As you begin to pull items out of your home that have been damaged, you'll need to determine which items are salvageable and which need to be disposed of. You can create a staging ground for sorting these items on your lawn. Invest in several large tarps, and place them on the ground. Use bricks or rocks to keep the tarps in place, and assign a specific use to each one. For example, one tarp can be dedicated to items that need to be sterilized or cleaned, while another can be dedicated to items that need to be repaired in some way. Use a third to designate items that need to be thrown away. Don't begin filling the dumpster until you have determined how many large items need to be placed inside. This will help you to ensure all items being thrown away will fit inside the dumpster.

Collect Yard Waste And Trash 

Use a wheelbarrow to begin collecting yard waste and trash that need to be thrown away. This might includes tree branches, litter, or broken flower pots. As the wheelbarrow becomes full, simply empty it into the dumpster. For heavy tree limbs, you may need to enlist the help of a local tree trimming service, as the limbs can sometimes be difficult to move on your own. The tree trimming service can also remove damaged sections of trees that might fall off in the future.

Dry Out Your Home

If your home was damaged by flood or storm waters, begin drying it out as you remove items from inside. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate, and rent a wet/dry shop vac to remove standing water from inside. You can also use heavy-duty blower fans to help dry the floors and walls. Once the home is dry, you should consider having it inspected for mold growth. Mold can begin to form in damp and wet areas, and you'll want to address this potential problem before moving your family back inside. Moldy drywall and flooring can be placed in your rental dumpster for removal.

Make a list of things that need to be accomplished, and determine which tools you may need to get the work done. With the help of a rental dumpster and other equipment, you can begin the process of cleaning up after a storm.


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