[This article was originally published in March 2021 and has been expanded and revised here.]
Many homeowners have storage sheds in a side yard or in a corner of the backyard. But age and brutal weather eventually means old shed removal is needed.
Unfortunately, the debris from an old shed can be quite a large junk disposal task. And it can be far more than most homeowners can manage by themselves.
How long should your backyard shed last anyway?
Most experts agree that, while wood is versatile and often far more aesthetically pleasing, plastic resin materials tend to last longer. As one source points out,
"Metal sheds are more durable as they are fire, insect, rot, and weather resistant. They can rust, but they are more durable to the elements vs. wood. Resin is the most durable because it's weather-resistant to fading, rusting, warping, rotting, insects, and fire."
But how long do they last?
Typically speaking, a metal storage shed should last over 10 years without any noticeable damage or need for extensive maintenance. Higher end products in milder climates can last even as long as 25 years.
Plastic sheds, also known as resin sheds, are made from common, inexpensive polymers – usually either polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
Sheds made of these materials tend to last about 5 to 7 years. While you may think that they should last longer since the plastic won't rust or rot, these structures have another problem - unlike metals, the plastic structure of these sheds expands and contracts from exposure to the sun. This cycle from heat and cold will eventually cause cracking and warping.
Interestingly, various manufacturers and vendors of wooden storage sheds publicly claim that their products can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years. Of course, the caveat is that they require regular upkeep and maintenance. One source states, however, that their products should last from 15 to 30 years.
Of course, the biggest consideration is weather, sunlight, and water.
Metal storage sheds are usually made of either steel or galvanized aluminum. While they are almost impervious heat and cold, however, they can be affected by moisture and are not as strong as resin or wooden sheds.
Wooden sheds may hold up under intense heat and exposure to sunlight, but the elements - especially water - can wreak havoc on these structures. And, as we've already noted, plastic or resin materials have their own shortcomings.
Actually, it doesn't really matter whether your old shed is made of lumber and wood materials, metal components like aluminum and steel fasteners, or molded plastic material. They all get old and rickety.
And when that happens, it doesn't take much for these compromised structures to collapse or fall over. Especially when exposed to severe weather events and extreme snowfall or rain.
While some materials may withstand the weather and elements longer than others, most outdoor sheds eventually need to be replaced. And, if you're lucky, yours hasn't already fallen over, been blown over, or had it's roof collapsed by heavy snowfall.
However, in order to remove your old shed from your backyard or the side of of the house, you will still have to dismantle it enough to carry away the parts and debris.
And this is a lot of work.
We do live in a DIY society. Between the millions of explainer videos online and books and courses, we seem to love learning how to "do it yourself." But should you take on the dismantling, removal, and disposal of your old shed yourself?
Before launching into this job it is important to note that, depending on how large it is and what it's made of, shed removal can be an oversized task and a great deal of work.
In fact, depending on how large your shed it and what it's constructed of, this work can even be a bit risky and dangerous. And, once it's been successfully dismantled, you still have the work of hauling all the material out to a waiting truck so it can be properly hauled off.
What? You don't have a truck?
Yeah, most folks don't. And that's just one more reason why shed removal and other large junk disposal chores really shouldn't be "do it yourself" projects.
So, what's the best alternative?
Turns out there are a two really good alternatives to your shed removal and other large junk disposal needs.
At Junk King we can set you up with one of our unique and user-friendly MINI Dumpsters that you can fill up yourself, at your own pace, over the course of three days, if need be. This is our way of helping you pursue your DIY urge while making the whole process easy for you!
Or, if you would rather not do any of the heavy lifting, you can also make use of our nationally recognized full-service junk removal. In other words, we can do it for you.
This alternative doesn't require you to haul off your bulk trash items yourself, but it does allow you to collect and load your old shed debris yourself, and at your own pace.
And this can be done by using one of our convenient rental dumpsters.
Junk King's unique MINI Dumpster is nothing like those massive and often ugly commercial dumpsters that can tear up asphalt and your driveway. Instead, when you choose to rent a dumpster from Junk King, you can take advantage of our 12-cubic foot capacity, roll off dumpsters are that are not only clean and attractive, but are user-friendly and driveway safe!
We offer fair, upfront pricing and we guarantee on time drop-off and pick-up.
Most other dumpster rental companies charge a flat fee, which means .you pay full price even if you don’t fill up the entire dumpster Not with Junk King. When you rent our MINI Dumpster you only pay for the space you use.
Once you’ve booked your dumpster rental, Junk King will drop it off and you fill it up on your own schedule. And, when you’re ready, Junk King will come and remove the dumpster to complete your bulk trash pickup.
Your other easy option is to simply call in Junk King, your local and professional junk hauling firm.
We can come and take care of the old shed debris removal and other large trash pickup for you. Not only do we haul it away and dispose of it with an eco-friendly and green process, we make it simple, quick, and painless for you with our professional team.
In fact, in many cases, we can even dismantle your old shed if it's not attached to another structure and isn't excessively large.
Once you're ready for us to come and pick up your items, just give us a call and we'll be there in no time with our expert bulk trash pickup team.
No matter whether you choose to make use of our full-service debris and junk removal, or to rent one of our MINI Dumpsters, we will haul your materials to the appropriate composting, recycling, or other green disposal destination.
Whether you're clearing up debris and trash from your property, renovating your home, or just getting ready for the spring, you can count on Junk King to provide you with the tools you need to get rid of your unwanted junk.
Our professional and friendly crew can come and do all the heavy lifting and hauling for you or, if it works better with your schedule and type of cleanup project, you can rent one of our handy MINI Dumpsters and do the loading part yourself.
Either way, Junk King always has the best solutions for your large junk disposal needs.
Junk King specializes in shed removal and large junk disposal, offering comprehensive demolition services. Our team is well-equipped for shed dismantling and outbuilding removal, making it a hassle-free process for you. Whether you have an old shed that's become an eyesore or need to clear out a large amount of junk, we have the expertise and resources to handle it efficiently. Trust Junk King for reliable and eco-friendly large junk disposal services that prioritize responsible recycling and disposal practices. We're your go-to solution for shedding unwanted items and reclaiming your space.
Give us a call and our expert and insured trash removal team will call 15 minutes before we arrive at your home. And once we arrive we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your items take up in our truck.
Then you just point and we’ll haul your items into our junk removal trucks, all with no hidden fees.
You can make an appointment by booking online above or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).