5 tips for a safe hurricane clean up
Extreme weather events can cause a lot of damage to homes and properties. Here's what to do when it's time to start cleaning up after a big storm.
Clean-up after a natural disaster is an emotional, time-consuming task. It can also be extremely dangerous: storm clean-up requires specific supplies, techniques, and products to clean up safely and effectively. Amidst the wreckage and debris, it can be challenging for residents to know where to start.
At 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, we’ve been on the front lines of several natural disasters. Over the years, we’ve seen homes flooded, buildings destroyed and ruin of all kinds. As experts in clean-up and junk removal, we feel it’s our duty to provide on-the-ground aid to affected residents.
Make safety a priority when proceeding with hurricane debris removal
In challenging times, we want to do our part to make your clean-up as easy as possible. Here are our tips for safe and effective clean-up after a natural disaster or oncoming winter storms.
1. Check your environment
Before you start any post-disaster clean-up, you need to make sure your environment is safe. When re-entering your home, be cautious and aware of the conditions. Is there potential water or structural damage? Are electrical appliances wet? Can you smell gas or other chemicals? If so, call the appropriate authority: an inspector, electrician or other government body. Do not enter the building until it has been cleared by a professional. Once you’ve determined your home is safe, you can start clearing out debris.
2. Protect yourself with the proper gear
Disasters create all kinds of debris and you need to prepare accordingly. It’s a dirty job so regardless of what you’re cleaning up, wear old clothing and gloves to protect yourself. Take extra precautions when handling potentially dangerous items (like propane tanks, car batteries, electrical equipment, or sewage). Use appropriate gear, such as gloves, face masks, boots, and goggles. If you need to operate a chainsaw to remove fallen trees or branches, always follow the manufacturer's instructions, and wear protective clothing, earplugs and safety goggles. Make sure that any bystanders are safely out of the way.
3. Don’t try to do it alone
The debris created by natural disasters is often heavy and difficult to dispose of. If you try to move larger items (like fridges, dishwashers, concrete or fallen trees) alone, you could seriously hurt yourself. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors for help, and always work in teams. Be aware that certain items can be especially dangerous if handled incorrectly. Damaged fridges may leak Freon, electrical appliances can short-circuit, and some things may be too heavy to remove on your own. In these cases, always call a professional service.
4. Pace yourself
In disasters of this magnitude, clean-up can take weeks or even months. While it’s important to act fast (particularly for hazardous or water-damaged materials), you won’t be able to do it all in one go. Start with the most important things and take breaks when needed. Work together with family and neighbors so you feel safe and supported. This is already a stressful and emotional time; pace yourself so you don’t get overwhelmed.
5. Have a disposal plan
There’s no way to fully prepare for the effects of a natural disaster. But planning ahead can alleviate some of the stress during hurricane clean-up. Create a list of who to call to dispose of certain items. In most cases, local governments offer debris removal free of charge, as long as you’ve categorized your waste and placed it on the curb.
Disaster clean-up is hard work but you’re not in this alone. If you need extra help, our 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Franchise Partners are ready to lend a hand. They’re trained professionals with years of experience in junk removal and disaster clean-up. As you work to recover and rebuild, they can help you do it safely.
Frequently asked questions
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is more affordable than you may think. Our junk removal prices are all-inclusive, which means you get:
- Professional, uniformed and insured crew members
- Junk removal from anywhere on the premises
- Loading, lifting and sorting
- Recycling, donating and disposing of items
- Transfer station tariffs and fees
- Gas and travel
We charge by the amount of space your items take up in the truck. We think it’s more fair to you to price by volume instead of the length of time it takes us to lift and load. The best part is we’re cheaper in bulk: the more stuff you have, the more value you get!
For materials with a heavy cubic weight, like dirt, concrete, and gravel, pricing is based on the total volume the material takes up in the truck, up to a maximum of one foot in height for a full truck.
Email us at business@1800gotjunk.com or call us at 1-888-475-3461
If you need service on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, we offer bulk pricing discounts. This gives you better value compared to common alternatives, such as dumpsters or less-professional junk removal services.
Interested? Call our business account team at 1-866-916-5865 to discuss your needs as well as pricing options.
On the day of your appointment with us, our friendly, uniformed truck team members will give you a call 15-30 minutes before the start of your two-hour promise window. They’ll say hi, let you know what time they plan to arrive, and confirm any other details about your appointment if needed.
Whether your business has a single location or multiple locations, we can create a custom junk removal solution that works for you. We can coordinate pickups at multiple locations at a local, regional, and national level. Rather than work with dozens of regional or local companies, let 1-800-GOT-JUNK? handle the jobs across all your locations.
Absolutely! We take large items all the time. As long as it can be lifted and loaded into the truck by two people, we'll be happy to take it away for you!
We work with all types of businesses and can handle any type of job - cleanouts, bulk item removal, general junk removal and even specific items like cardboard or pallets. We can take pretty much anything as long as it's not toxic or hazardous. We can remove your items from wherever they’re located, whether it’s your office, store, site or anywhere else—all you have to do is point!
Yes, we're fully licensed, bonded and insured! We have insurance covering damages to both persons and property for every single booking.
While we don't quite service the entire map, we cover almost every greater metropolitan area across the US, Canada, and Australia. To see if we’re in your neighbourhood, you can start a booking by entering your postal code.
Our customer service center is open 24/7, so we’re here whenever you need us! While operating hours may vary in our franchise locations, we offer same-day and off-hours service, including weekends.
