Driver set our porta potty right by the front walk. Can my husband and I scoot it behind the garage ourselves?

Question

We're doing a kitchen and half bath redo and the unit showed up yesterday while we were at work. The driver put it about six feet from our front walk, basically the first thing anyone sees pulling up. Our HOA already sent a friendly note about it.

Behind the garage there's a flat gravel pad maybe 25 feet away that the truck can still reach for service. It's only been used twice so far, so the tank is close to empty.

Can two adults safely walk it over there on a dolly or by tipping it a bit? Or does moving it ourselves risk sloshing the blue stuff everywhere, breaking something, or upsetting the rental company? I'd rather not pay for a trip charge just to go 25 feet, but I also don't want to be the person who tipped a porta potty over in her own driveway.

Luis A. · Answer

Do not move a standard portable toilet yourselves. A standard unit weighs about 200 pounds empty, but the weight shifts unpredictably with liquid in the holding tank. Even a partially full tank can slosh and cause the unit to tip, spilling waste and deodorizer on your driveway. The rental company's contract almost certainly requires them to handle any placement changes to prevent damage to the unit, your property, or injury to you.

Call the rental company, explain the HOA issue and that you have a gravel pad with truck access 25 feet away. They will send a driver with a specialized dolly to move it safely. Most companies charge a trip fee for a dedicated move, but some may adjust the charge since it's a short distance and the unit is new. A spilled unit would cost far more in cleanup fees and embarrassment.

Driver set our porta potty right by the front walk. Can my husband and I scoot it behind the garage ourselves?

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