Porta Potty Forum

First frost this week and the step into our jobsite porta potty is like an ice rink. What do you put down on it?

Carl D.asked 2 viewsConstruction & Job SitesWinterSafetySlip hazard

We had our first real frost Sunday night and the step up into the standard unit on our utility job was glazed over when the crew showed up. One of my guys caught himself on the door frame before he went down. The unit sits on packed gravel, but the molded floor and the step stay wet from tracked-in mud and then freeze.

I don't want to dump rock salt on it if that chews up the plastic or gets into the tank. Is anybody putting down a mat or sand, or is that something the rental company is supposed to deal with? And can I drill or screw anything to the step, or is the unit off limits to modify? Looking for what actually worked on your sites before it gets worse in December.

1 answer

Sorted by votes
0
Ray M.Dallas, TX

Put coarse sand or non-clumping cat litter on the step and floor of a standard unit to prevent ice buildup. Do not use rock salt, as it can degrade the plastic and contaminate the holding tank. Sand provides traction without damage and is easy to sweep out during service. Do not drill or screw anything into the unit, as modifications violate rental agreements and compromise structural integrity. The rental company is responsible for servicing the interior and maintaining the unit, but ice management on the step is typically the site's responsibility for daily safety. For persistent issues, request the operator add a brine solution to the tank during winterization to lower the freezing point of the waste, which reduces moisture and ice formation. On packed gravel, ensure the unit remains level to prevent pooling water around the step.

Your answer

Log in or create a free account to answer this question.