A roof replacement is one of the biggest exterior projects a Pittsburgh homeowner takes on, and it creates one of the biggest piles of debris. A typical tear off fills a large dumpster with old asphalt shingles, felt underlayment, nails, drip edge and any rotted decking that had to come out. Knowing where all of that goes, and who is responsible for it, is part of planning the job well.
The short answer for most homeowners is simple: tear off, hauling and disposal are included in every Malick Brothers roof replacement in Pittsburgh. This guide explains why old shingles cannot go out with your weekly trash, what your options are if you are handling a small job yourself, and exactly what happens to the debris when our crew replaces your roof.
Why You Cannot Put Old Roof Shingles in the Trash
The City of Pittsburgh and most surrounding municipalities do not accept construction and demolition waste in regular household collection. Old roof shingles are heavy, bulky and full of nails, and they fall squarely in that category. Leaving bundles of shingles at the curb can mean the hauler simply refuses the pickup, and repeated dumping of construction debris can lead to code enforcement problems.
There is also a practical reason. Asphalt shingles are dense. A single square of old shingles (enough to cover 100 square feet of roof) is far heavier than a household trash can is designed to hold, and a full roof on a typical Pittsburgh home runs well over twenty squares. That volume needs a proper container and a proper destination.
Your Options for Proper Disposal
Roll Off Dumpsters
For a full tear off, a roll off dumpster is the standard answer. It gives the crew a single place to put debris, it keeps the yard clear, and the hauler takes the full container to a facility that accepts construction waste. When Malick Brothers replaces your roof, the dumpster is part of the job. You do not need to rent one, schedule pickup or deal with the hauler yourself.
Landfill or Transfer Station Drop Off
If you are removing a small section of shingles yourself, such as a shed roof or a small porch, you can haul the material to a landfill or transfer station that accepts construction and demolition waste. Call ahead, because acceptance rules, hours and fees vary by facility, and some require the load to be covered or separated. This route takes time and a truck or trailer, and for anything larger than a small repair it is rarely worth the effort.
Recycling
Asphalt shingles can be recycled. In general terms, recycled shingles are ground up and used in asphalt paving and road base, which keeps material out of landfills and reduces the need for new raw material. Availability depends on the region and on whether the load is clean, meaning shingles only, without wood, metal, plastic or trash mixed in. If recycling matters to you, ask your contractor how their debris is handled.
What Happens to the Debris on a Malick Brothers Roof Replacement
Disposal is not something we leave for the homeowner to figure out. Here is how debris is handled on a typical residential roof replacement from start to finish.
Before the Tear Off
- Dumpster placement. We plan where the dumpster will sit before the job starts. On most Pittsburgh homes that means the driveway, as close to the roof edge as practical so debris travels a short distance.
- Driveway protection. A loaded dumpster is heavy. We protect the driveway surface under the container so the weight is spread out and the surface is not scraped when the dumpster is dropped or picked up.
- Protecting the house and yard. Landscaping, air conditioning units and areas around the foundation are covered or shielded before shingles start coming off.
During the Tear Off
Old shingles, underlayment and nails are stripped down to the decking and directed into the dumpster rather than thrown loose into the yard. Any decking that is soft or rotted is replaced, and the old boards go in the dumpster too. Debris is managed as the crew works so it does not pile up around the house.
After the New Roof Is On
- Magnet sweeps. A tear off releases a lot of roofing nails, and some always find their way into the grass, mulch and driveway. We run rolling magnets over the yard, the driveway and the areas around the house to pick them up. This is one of the most important cleanup steps, because a stray nail is a real hazard for tires, pets and bare feet.
- Gutter and ground cleanup. Shingle grit and small debris are cleared from gutters and from the ground around the house.
- Dumpster removal. The full dumpster is hauled away to a facility that accepts construction waste, and the driveway protection comes up with it.
The goal is simple: when we leave, the only sign we were there should be the new roof.
Pittsburgh Homes Make Disposal Planning Matter
Many Pittsburgh neighborhoods have steep driveways, narrow streets, tight lots and homes built close together. That affects where a dumpster can go and how debris gets from the roof to the container. On some homes the dumpster has to sit on the street, which can require coordination with the municipality. Older homes also tend to have more than one layer of shingles, which means more weight and more debris. These are all things we look at during the estimate, so disposal is planned before the first shingle comes off.
Weather matters too. Western Pennsylvania gets frequent rain, so we watch the forecast, tear off only what we can dry in the same day, and keep the dumpster area tidy so wet debris does not end up spread across the lawn or washed toward storm drains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to rent a dumpster for my roof replacement?
Not when Malick Brothers does the work. The dumpster, hauling and disposal are part of every roof replacement we do.
Can I put a few old shingles in my household trash?
In general, no. Pittsburgh area household collection is not meant for construction debris. For a small amount, take it to a facility that accepts construction and demolition waste.
Will the dumpster damage my driveway?
We protect the driveway surface under the dumpster to spread the load and prevent scraping. If your driveway has existing cracks or soft spots, point them out during the estimate so we can plan placement.
How do you make sure no nails are left behind?
We run magnetic sweepers over the yard, driveway and the areas around the house after the tear off and again at final cleanup.
Are old asphalt shingles recyclable?
Asphalt shingles can be recycled into paving material when the load is clean. Availability depends on local facilities.
Get a Roof Replacement With Cleanup Included
Malick Brothers Exteriors is a family owned roofing company based in West View, BBB A+ accredited and licensed under PA HIC PA174918. Every roof replacement includes tear off, the dumpster, magnet sweeps and haul away. Contact us to schedule a free written estimate for your Pittsburgh home.
