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Why does our unit smell like ammonia after a week?

Marcus B.asked 0 viewsOdor, Cleaning & ChemicalsOdorDeodorizerService frequencyStandard unitHolding tank

We have a standard portable toilet on a residential addition project, and it's starting to smell like strong ammonia about five days into the weekly service cycle. There are six crew members using it daily for about eight hours. The unit sits on level gravel at the back of the lot, and the vacuum truck has no problem reaching it for the Tuesday morning service. The rental company uses a blue formaldehyde-free deodorizer. By Friday, the smell is pretty sharp. I'm trying to figure out if this is just the deodorizer running out of steam before the next pump-out, or if it's a sign of a bigger issue like the tank chemistry or maybe the unit needs a deeper clean. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there a way to extend the odor control between services?

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Deb K.Akron, OH

That ammonia smell means the deodorizer has broken down the waste into ammonia compounds, which is normal when the unit is used heavily. Six people using a standard portable toilet for eight hours a day is pushing the limits of weekly service. The holding tank holds 50 to 70 gallons, and with that much use, the deodorizer gets overwhelmed by Friday. It's not a deeper clean issue or a tank problem, it's just volume. Formaldehyde-free deodorizers work well but don't last as long as the old formulas with harsh chemicals. To extend odor control, ask your rental company for a midweek service. They might charge extra for that, but it's cheaper than a complaining crew. You could also request a larger unit or a second one if the crew grows. On my route, I see this on busy sites all the time, and an extra service fixes it.

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