Quick Summary
A roof tear-off produces a lot of heavy debris in a single day. Picking the right dumpster for a roof in Cantonment or Molino comes down to the size of the house, the number of shingle layers coming off, and the weight allowance on the container. Get those three right and the crew can strip, load and finish without waiting on a second haul.
Why roofing is different from other cleanouts
Most cleanouts fill a dumpster by volume. Furniture, boxes and brush take up space long before they get heavy. Roofing is the opposite. Asphalt shingles are dense, and a container full of them is far heavier than the same container full of household junk.
That means a roofing dumpster is chosen as much by weight as by size. Each size has a weight allowance, and going over it adds a charge. A container that looks half full of shingles may already be close to the limit.
What decides the size
Three things drive the choice for a roof in north Escambia County.
- The size of the roof, measured in squares (one square is 100 square feet)
- How many layers of shingles are coming off
- Whether decking, underlayment, flashing or gutters are being replaced too
Matching the size to the roof
These are starting points. Every roof is different, and a call to talk through the job is the best way to confirm.
10-yard
A 10-yard dumpster is 14 feet long and fits in most driveways. It suits a small single-layer roof, a detached garage, a workshop or a porch roof. Because shingles are heavy, a 10-yard is often the right choice even on mid-size jobs where the weight would push a bigger container over its allowance.
15-yard
The most common choice for an average single-story home in Cantonment or Molino with one layer of shingles coming off. It leaves room for underlayment and some decking without overloading.
20-yard
For larger homes, two-story roofs, or tear-offs with two layers of shingles or a lot of rotten decking. When the roof is big and there is a lot of decking, a contractor may also plan two smaller hauls instead of one large one to stay within the weight allowance.
Placing the dumpster for a roofing crew
Put the container as close to the roof edge as the driveway allows, so the crew can drop debris straight in or carry it a short distance. A hard, level surface is best. Many lots in Cantonment and Molino are rural with long gravel drives and soft shoulders, so pick a firm spot where a loaded truck can get in and out without sinking.
Protect the yard on the drop side with tarps, and lay a strip of plywood under the edge if you are worried about the driveway surface. Watch for low power lines and branches over the drop spot. On your own property you usually do not need a permit.
What goes in and what stays out
Shingles, underlayment, felt, drip edge, flashing, old gutters and rotten decking can all go in the same container. Hazardous materials, liquids, flammable items and certain electronics cannot. On a roof job that usually means leftover roofing cement buckets that are still wet, solvents, and batteries from tools. Let them dry or take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off.
Keep the load level and below the top rim. Roofers sometimes pile shingles high in one corner, and an uneven or overfilled container cannot be hauled safely.
Scheduling around the tear-off
Have the container delivered the day before the crew starts, and schedule pickup for the day after the roof is dried in. Most single-story tear-offs are loaded in a day, so the rental rarely needs to run long. Extra days do add a charge, so call for pickup when the last bundle of old shingles is in.
The Dumpster Guy Escambia County delivers in north Escambia County, with roof tear-off containers in Cantonment and deliveries out to Molino. The dumpster sizes page compares each container, and rental terms are on the dumpster rental prices page. Call 850-795-4444 to set up delivery for your roof job.
Key Takeaways
- Shingles are heavy, so a roofing dumpster is chosen by weight as much as space.
- Roof size, layers coming off and decking replacement decide the size.
- A 15-yard fits most single-layer, single-story homes.
- Place the container close to the roof edge on firm ground.
- Deliver the day before the tear-off and pick up after dry-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size dumpster do I need for a roof replacement?
A 15-yard covers most single-story homes with one layer of shingles. A 10-yard suits small roofs, and a 20-yard suits large homes or two-layer tear-offs.
Can decking and gutters go in the same dumpster as shingles?
Yes. Shingles, underlayment, decking, flashing and old gutters can all go in the same container.
Why did my roofing dumpster go over the weight allowance?
Shingles are dense. A container can reach its weight allowance before it looks full, especially with two layers or wet material.
