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Can a service truck pump a unit placed on a gravel driveway?

Marcus B.asked 0 viewsDelivery, Placement & ServicingTruck accessPlacementLevel groundGravelService visit

I'm setting up a portable toilet for a six-month residential construction project, a standard unit with a holding tank. My driveway was just redone with fresh, loose gravel, about three inches deep over a packed dirt base. The rental company is asking for truck access within 25 feet of the unit, but I'm worried their vacuum truck will sink into the gravel or get stuck trying to reach it. The spot is flat, but the gravel hasn't fully compacted yet. Has anyone had a service truck pump a unit from a similar fresh gravel driveway? Did the driver need to use boards or mats, or did they refuse to drive on it?

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Deb K.Akron, OH

Yes, a vacuum truck can pump a unit placed on a fresh gravel driveway. The driver will assess the surface before driving on it. Three inches of loose gravel over a packed dirt base is usually fine if the ground is truly level. The packed base matters more than the loose top layer.

Drivers carry boards or mats for soft ground. If the driver thinks the truck might sink, they will place the boards under the tires for traction. They do not want to get stuck any more than you do. A refusal is rare if the base is solid; the main risk is soft mud underneath the gravel.

Tell the rental company about the gravel when you schedule the delivery. They can note it for the driver. On the first service visit, the driver will check the ground. If the gravel is too unstable, they will ask you to move the unit to a firmer spot for future servicing. A blocked unit or an inaccessible unit is logged as a missed service, and the trip is usually billed.

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