Deck and Patio Demolition — Removing Outdoor Structures
Florida's heat, humidity, and termites take a toll on wooden decks and outdoor structures. When it's time to tear them down, you need a dumpster that can handle lumber, nails, screws, concrete footings, and whatever the Florida weather left behind.
Quick Answer
A standard 12x16 wood deck generates 4-6 cubic yards of debris, fitting in a 10 yard dumpster. Concrete patios are much heavier — a 200 sq ft concrete patio at 4 inches thick weighs approximately 2,500 lbs. Pressure-treated lumber from decks built before 2004 may contain CCA (chromated copper arsenate) and should be kept separate from regular wood waste.
Deck Demolition Debris Volume
A standard 12x16 foot deck generates about 3-5 cubic yards of debris — pressure-treated lumber, deck boards, railings, stairs, hardware, and concrete footings. A 10 yard dumpster handles most single-deck demolitions. If you're also removing a pergola, screen enclosure, or patio pavers, step up to a 20 yard.
Pressure-Treated Lumber Disposal
Most Florida decks use pressure-treated lumber, which contains chemical preservatives. In Florida, pressure-treated wood can go in regular C&D dumpsters and is accepted at standard landfills. It cannot, however, be burned — ever. Some recycling facilities won't accept it either, so it goes to the landfill as standard C&D waste.
Concrete Footings and Pavers
Concrete deck footings and patio pavers are heavy but absolutely dumpster-appropriate. A typical deck has 6-12 concrete footings weighing 50-100 lbs each. Factor this into your weight calculation. If you're also removing a large concrete patio (several yards of concrete), consider a separate heavy-debris dumpster to avoid weight overages.
Screen Enclosure Removal
Florida screen enclosures (pool cages, lanai screens) are aluminum frames with screen mesh. They're bulky but very light. An entire pool cage generates surprisingly little weight despite taking up significant dumpster space. Cut the frames into manageable sections for efficient packing. Most screen enclosures fit in a 20 yard dumpster.
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