Your New Dump: Cleaning Up A Junkyard Real Estate Property
Posted on: 24 June 2016
Unfortunately, many cities and towns have residents that treat their private property like a junkyard. There actually laws against this, because junkyards that are not regulated and properly maintained can contribute to water contamination and soil degradation. If you were able to buy a property "as is", but are now facing the challenge of cleaning up the land and house to be safe and live-able, here are some things you need to know.
1. Report it.
The first thing you should do is just let the city know that you have purchased the property and are in the process of clean-up. You do not want be cited or fined because of a previous owner's poor care. Give your community an estimation for how long it will take to move all the junk. Be sure to give yourself a long enough timeline for flexibility; old cars, scrap metal, and hazardous waste sometimes take time and money to haul away for correct disposal. Factor in your work schedule, the size of the property, and whether or not you'll be hiring help before committing to a clean-up timeline.
2. Make money when possible.
Scrap metal can be sold to help offset the cost of clean up. Old car parts, vintage farm equipment, and old signs and barn wood can also be refurbished and sold. To help keep the trash separate from the valuables, try renting roll-off dumpsters to help with the sorting and make trash removal more easy. If you're planning on selling scrap metal, keep in mind that metal fridges, freezers, car parts, tin roofing, and wire are all able to be salvaged. Contact a scrap metal removal company for collection/drop off options.
3. Begin cleaning up your own property.
Once the trash has been cleared, your clean up is not finished. You will still need to make sure there are no lasting toxic effects. If the property collected junk for several years, coolant, CFCs, oil and antifreeze from cars are common toxic substances that will linger after the junk has been cleared. If your land has not been tested for contaminants, you should do so. Tainted plants and affected soil should be collected in a roll-off dumpster provided by a company experienced in handling industrial waste. If you're worried about the cost, remember that your investment and increased property value will more than make up for the clean-up price tag.
For more information on renting equipment like industrial roll-off dumpsters, contact an equipment rental company, like TCM Sweeping and Disposal, in your area.
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