Quick Summary
Hurricane season runs through November 30, and most Pensacola homes end it with some mix of downed limbs, wet drywall, torn shingles and broken fencing. Escambia County curbside pickup handles some of it. A roll-off dumpster handles the rest in one trip, as long as you keep hazardous items out and pick a size that matches the job.
Sort the pile before you move it
Storm cleanup goes faster when you split the debris into two piles on day one. Vegetative debris is limbs, leaves and stumps. Construction debris is anything that came off the house, like shingles, siding, drywall, insulation, carpet, fencing and soaked furniture.
The split matters because the two piles usually leave your property different ways. After a named storm, county crews often run separate passes for vegetation and for construction debris, and they skip mixed piles. If you plan to use a dumpster for part of the job, the construction pile is the part it is best at.
What a roll-off dumpster takes after a storm
A roll-off is built for the heavy, bulky material that curbside crews either will not take or will take weeks to reach. Most storm repairs around Pensacola produce exactly that kind of waste.
- Roofing shingles and underlayment
- Wet drywall, insulation and carpet pad
- Broken fence panels and posts
- Damaged cabinets, flooring and trim
- Waterlogged furniture and household contents
- Limbs and brush, if you would rather not wait for a county pass
What has to stay out
Hazardous materials, liquids, flammable items and some electronics are not allowed in the dumpster. After a storm, that usually means fuel cans from the generator, half-used paint, pool chemicals, propane tanks and car batteries. Set those aside and take them to an Escambia County household hazardous waste drop-off.
Putting a prohibited item in the container can add a charge to the bill, so it is worth a second look before the last load goes in.
Picking a size for storm repairs
The right size depends on how much of the house is involved. Volume fills faster than people expect, and wet drywall and carpet are heavy, so weight matters as much as space.
10-yard
Good for a fence line, a single room of flooring or a small shed roof. It is 14 feet long and fits in most driveways.
15-yard
The usual choice for a full room gutted to the studs, or a mid-size roof tear-off with some yard debris on top.
20-yard
For whole-house roof replacement, several rooms of water damage, or a cleanup where the construction and vegetative piles both go in the same container.
Placing the dumpster on a storm-damaged lot
Put the container on your driveway or another hard, level surface if you can. Saturated yards soften after heavy rain, and a loaded roll-off on soft ground is hard to pick up. On your own property you usually do not need a permit, but a dumpster in the street or on the right-of-way often does.
Leave a clear path for the truck. Downed limbs and leaning fences around the driveway are the most common reason a delivery has to wait.
Getting it done before the season closes
Contractors and roofers book up fast in the weeks after a storm. Ordering the dumpster early means the debris is gone by the time the repair crew arrives, and nothing is still sitting in the yard if another storm forms before November 30.
The Dumpster Guy Escambia County delivers across the city, and we also run containers out to West Pensacola. Rental terms and the weight allowance for each size are on the dumpster rental prices page, and you can call 850-795-4444 to schedule a drop-off.
Key Takeaways
- Split storm debris into vegetative and construction piles before anything leaves the property.
- A roll-off is best for shingles, drywall, fencing, flooring and soaked contents.
- Keep fuel, paint, chemicals, propane and batteries out of the dumpster.
- Wet material is heavy, so size up when a lot of drywall or carpet is involved.
- Place the container on a hard surface and keep the truck path clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix tree limbs and shingles in the same dumpster?
Yes. A roll-off can take both. Separating them only matters for material you plan to leave at the curb for a county pickup.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster in Pensacola?
Not usually, if the dumpster sits on your own property. A container placed in the street or on the right-of-way often needs one, so check before you ask for street placement.
What size dumpster do I need for storm damage?
A 10-yard covers a fence or one room. A 15-yard handles a gutted room or a mid-size roof. A 20-yard is for whole-house roofing or several rooms of water damage.
Can I throw away a generator fuel can or propane tank?
No. Fuel, propane, paint, chemicals and batteries are not allowed. Take them to a household hazardous waste drop-off.
