While living in Florida has many benefits, a major storm during hurricane season can leave your yard in shambles. Once the storm has passed and your yard is full of debris, you might not know where to begin cleaning up. While it may seem tempting to start doing the work yourself, hiring a contractor can save you a lot of time and keep you safe.
You should always have a post-storm clean-up plan, especially during peak hurricane season. If your yard is covered in branches, trash, or roofing materials following a big storm, read on as we walk you through a step-by-step process for storm cleanup that DeLand homeowners can trust and how CFB Outdoors can help quickly restore your property.
1. Assess The Situation And Document Everything
Before you begin any clean-up efforts, take some time to assess the situation. You’ll want to thoroughly inspect your exterior and landscaping for signs of damage. Here are some of the big things you’ll want to inspect as soon as possible:
- Tree Trunks & Roots – Damaged or fallen trees are one of the most common issues after a storm. Check to see if any trees have been completely uprooted and examine tree trunks for signs of splitting and cracks as well. You may need tree removal services.
- Tree Limbs – Look around for fallen tree limbs or large branches. Note if anything has fallen on property (home, vehicle, fence, etc.) You’ll also want to inspect your tree canopies for broken or hanging limbs
- Roof – Check for missing shingles, leaks, dents, or tree limbs
- Gutters & Downspouts – Make sure they’re still attached and draining properly.
- Shrubs & Plants – If any vegetation has been uprooted or damaged, it may need to be replaced.
- Lawn – Look for signs of erosion, standing water, or scattered debris.
While examining your exterior, look for signs of potential hazards or emergencies. These could include downed power lines, leaning trees, dangling limbs, and unstable structures. If you notice anything that needs immediate attention, call 911 and contact your outdoor services company for emergency tree services. Make sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like boots, gloves, eye protection, and a hard hat while walking around your property, as damaged tree limbs can fall at any moment.
Once you’ve assessed the situation, it’s time to document all of the damage. Make a note of everything you find and take as many photos as possible to help support insurance claims and contractor quotes.
2. Tackle What You Can
If your yard is covered in small limbs (< 2″ in diameter), trash, or other materials, a clean-up effort is likely the next step. A DIY clean-up job is usually your best bet for small amounts of debris, small branches resting on your roof or fence, or waterlogged shrubs. Wearing PPE at this stage is also essential. If you’re unsure about your ability to handle a clean-up or repair, always err on the side of caution and leave the heavy lifting to professionals.
It can also be helpful to sort your debris into three piles: green waste, construction debris, and household trash, as each might require a different disposal strategy. If you have a significant amount of debris, a dumpster rental might come in handy.
3. Call CFB Outdoors For Tree Care And Removal
When it comes to storm clean-up, you have to know when it’s the right time to call in the pros. Some post-storm tasks look easy, but could hide serious risk, especially when it comes to tree care. If you notice cracks in tree trunks, heaving soil, uprooted trees, lodged branches, or heavy debris, it’s probably time to call a professional.
The team at CFB Outdoors is more than capable of supporting your post-hurricane yard cleanup. Here are some ways we can take on the heavy lifting.
- Tree Removal and Pruning Services – If a tree is dead, dying, uprooted, or unstable following a storm, we have three ISA-certified arborists on staff who can quickly and efficiently remove the tree. We can also save damaged trees by pruning broken limbs.
- Stump Grinding – Once a tree is gone, the stump remains. Stumps can be eyesores and hazards. CFB Outdoors offers stump grinding services, so we can remove the entire tree from your property.
- Debris Hauling Services – When debris becomes waterlogged, it can become very heavy. Attempting to move it yourself can result in a strained back. We can help clean up and dispose of heavy debris.
- Dumpster Rentals– We offer 10-yard or 20-yard dumpsters that can really streamline waste management when doing a post-storm cleanup.
With peak hurricane season just around the corner, our team is on-call and ready to help with your post-hurricane yard cleanup. Give us a call to discuss our debris hauling or tree removal services today.
