Surveying your backyard after extreme weather can be heartbreaking. Even when you were able to move outdoor furniture and smaller items into a sheltered area, it's not as though you could have moved your trees, plants, and fencing. You'll want normality to resume as quickly as possible, and this will take some effort. So what is the best way to achieve this goal as soon as possible?
Rubbish Collection
Preparing items for disposal is one thing, but being able to successfully dispose of them is another matter. Contact your local council. Will additional rubbish collection be scheduled, and if so, when? What are the procedures and limits, as in, can you simply pile the items by the side of the road? Making private arrangements will speed the process up and get your property back to normal in a more timely manner. Skip bin hire might prove necessary, but don't think about it for too long. If you want to utilise a bin hire company, make the booking immediately, since other people in the same situation will be doing precisely the same thing. Ensure that you book a general waste bin so that everything can be loaded straight into the bin.
Your Safety
Is it safe to begin clearing your property? Downed power lines are perhaps the most obvious risk to your safety, and these will need to be reported immediately. Consider the stability of trees and free-standing structures too. Are any of these likely to topple down? Your safety is paramount, so do not begin clearing your property until these hazards have been ruled out. Wear appropriate protective gear, such as enclosed footwear and protective gloves, and be mindful of any poisonous species that might have taken shelter under any debris.
Preparing for Disposal
Even if the skip bin has not arrived, you can get ready to load. This allows for rapid turnaround time, which can be beneficial, and even mandatory when demand is at its peak. Larger downed tree branches can be sawed, chopped or even manually broken to allow them to be moved. Smaller pieces of debris can be moved as-is. Move these to the front of your property and arrange them in piles (which don't need to be sorted other than making sure they're kept at a manageable height). When the bin arrives, the items can be quickly deposited inside.
Cleaning up your property after extreme weather can feel like a herculean task, but going above and beyond the assistance offered by your local council can restore your property to normal quickly and efficiently.
