How to Get Rid of Big Outdoor Items: Hot Tubs, Sheds, Decks, and Fences

Bulky outdoor structures will not fit in a curbside can, but a roll-off dumpster handles them with room to spare. Summer is demolition season for hot tubs, sheds, decks, and fences, and a 20 or 30 yard dumpster covers most of these jobs. Dumpster King delivers driveway-safe so you can tear down and load on your own schedule.

Removing an Old Hot Tub

A hot tub looks like one piece, but it comes apart into a surprising amount of material once you start cutting.

Drain, Disconnect, and Cut Into Sections

Start by draining the tub fully and disconnecting the power, which is best handled by an electrician if it is hardwired. Once it is dry, a reciprocating saw cuts the shell and cabinet into sections you can carry. The acrylic shell, wood or composite cabinet, foam insulation, and cover add up, so plan on a 20 yard dumpster for a typical tub.

Demolishing a Backyard Shed

A shed teardown is one of the more satisfying weekend projects, and the debris loads easily once it is broken down.

Wood Versus Metal, and the Foundation

A wood shed comes apart into walls, roofing, and framing. A metal shed breaks down into panels that flatten and stack. Watch for a concrete floor or footings, since concrete cannot go in a standard dumpster and needs our dedicated concrete dumpster instead. Most sheds fit a 15 or 20 yard dumpster.

Tearing Out an Old Deck

Decks produce more debris than people expect, mostly in heavy boards and framing.

The Weight of Old Treated Lumber

Old deck boards, joists, and posts are dense, especially if the wood is damp or pressure-treated, so watch the weight as you load. Pull or bend over exposed nails and screws as you go for safety. A small deck may fit a 15 yard dumpster, while a large deck usually needs a 20 or 30 yard.

Removing a Fence

Fence removal is straightforward, but the posts deserve a little planning.

Why Post Footings and Concrete Need Special Handling

Fence panels and wood or metal posts load easily into a standard dumpster. The concrete footings around the posts are the catch, since concrete is not allowed in a regular dumpster. For the footings, use our concrete dumpster, or set the concrete aside and ask us how to handle it. A typical residential fence removal fits a 15 or 20 yard dumpster, not counting the footings.

What Size Dumpster for Outdoor Demolition

• 15 Yard: A small deck, a shed, or a residential fence. Holds up to 2 tons.

• 20 Yard: A hot tub or a larger deck. Holds up to 2 tons.

• 30 Yard: A large deck plus a shed, or several items at once. Holds up to 3 tons.

• Concrete: Fence footings, slabs, and other concrete. Holds up to 2 tons.

"People really underestimate how much a deck or a hot tub turns into once it is cut apart. A deck especially, all that lumber is heavy and it adds up. My advice is to size up so it all goes in one load and you are not making a second call," says Adnan Isic, owner of Dumpster King.

What You Can and Cannot Toss

You can load lumber, deck boards, fence panels, shed materials, and the cut-up pieces of a hot tub. Keep concrete footings and slabs out of the standard dumpster and use our concrete dumpster for those. Also keep out chemicals, fuel, and anything flammable. Call us if you are not sure how to handle a specific material.

Why Central Iowa Chooses Dumpster King

Dumpster King is a family-owned company in Ankeny, with a second location in Pleasant Hill, serving the Des Moines metro and Central Iowa. We help you pick the right size for a demo job, deliver driveway-safe, and offer a dedicated concrete dumpster for the heavy footings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size dumpster do I need for a hot tub? A typical hot tub, once cut into sections, fits a 20 yard dumpster.

Can I put deck wood with nails and screws in the dumpster? Yes. Just bend over or remove exposed fasteners as you load for safety.

What do I do with concrete fence post footings? Concrete cannot go in a standard dumpster. Use our dedicated concrete dumpster, or set the footings aside and call us.

Do I need to break the structure down first? Yes. Cutting hot tubs, decks, and sheds into smaller pieces makes them easier to load and lets you fit more in the dumpster.

Can I combine a shed and a deck in one dumpster? Often yes, with the right size. A 30 yard dumpster can usually handle a deck and a shed together.

Book Your Demolition Dumpster Today

Call Dumpster King at (515) 988-2454 or book online for a fast, all-in quote. Summer is demo season and dumpsters book up, so reserve ahead.

Pricing and availability vary by dumpster size and by distance from our Ankeny location. Call (515) 988-2454 for a current quote.