Most dumpster rentals have a weight limit, which you must adhere to or pay overage fees. However, it’s possible to follow the weight guidelines and still run over because of rain or snow.
Yes, those cloudy skies can literally dampen your clean-up project by adding weight to your roll-off dumpster. Keep reading to learn how rain affects the weight of a roll-off dumpster and how you can avoid this common problem.
How Rain Impacts Your Dumpster’s Weight Allowance
Imagine: you’ve just rented a pristine dumpster for your latest project. The sun was shining all morning. Then, clouds roll in and Mother Nature unleashes a torrential downpour right into your open-top container.
Rain can significantly affect your dumpster’s weight allowance. When water collects in the debris, especially absorbent materials like wood or fabric, it can make the contents heavy, potentially leading to overage charges. Let’s be honest—no one wants their budget washed away because of rainwater!
The Average Weight of Water
To help you understand how much weight rain can add to a dumpster, let’s look at the numbers. A cubic yard of water weighs about 1,700 pounds. Yes, you read that right. Even a light shower in your dumpster can add a surprising amount of weight.
Does Snow Have a Similar Impact?
Snow, the sneaky cousin of rain, deserves mentioning in this blog. While snow is light and fluffy, it packs a weighty punch when it melts inside your dumpster. If you’re completing a winter clean-up project, you might want to watch out for those sneaky snowflakes, too.
How To Keep Your Dumpster Debris Dry
Fortunately, there are a few tricks to keep your dumpster debris drier than a humorist’s wit. First, give your dumpster a raincoat by setting up a tarp or dumpster cover. Next, try filling the dumpster quickly, and schedule a pick-up as soon as possible to minimize the chance of rain filling up the container. Finally, you should ask the dumpster supplier to increase your weight allowance or budget for rainwater when determining your initial weight allowance.
Does rain affect the weight of a roll-off dumpster? Absolutely. The weather can play a critical role in your project’s budget and planning. Keeping your dumpster as dry as possible can save you from the shock of unexpected charges due to weight overage.
The next time you’re renting a 12-yard roll-off dumpster in Atlanta, remember to keep an eye on the sky. Vine Disposal carries a range of dumpsters for residential and commercial use. Our team will help you find a dumpster rental that suits your waste disposal needs, no matter the weather.