Porta Potty Forum
Log inAsk a question

Winter jobsite: how do you keep a porta potty from freezing between service days? ✓ Solved

Tyler R.asked 49 viewsConstruction & Job SitesConstruction siteWinterServicingStandard unit

Accepted answer

The best method for a winter jobsite is to request the rental company use an antifreeze solution in the standard portable toilet holding tank. This is a standard winter service. The antifreeze is a brine or non-toxic liquid added during the weekly service visit that lowers the freezing point of Read the full answer

We are wrapping a couple residential builds outside Columbus through late fall into winter. Crew is usually 8 to 12 guys. Each site has one standard portable toilet with weekly service and clear truck access along the driveway.

Last winter the tank slurry froze solid overnight and nobody could use it until mid morning. The rental company said they add antifreeze, but I am not sure what that means on a non flush holding tank, or whether we should just ask for more frequent service when nights drop below freezing.

What actually works on cold jobsites? Do operators change the chemical mix, move the unit, stake it differently, or bump the service schedule? Looking for what supers do in practice when the crew shows up at 7 and the seat is iced shut.

2 answers

Accepted answer first, then by votes
0✓

✓ Accepted by Tyler R.

Deb K.Akron, OH

The best method for a winter jobsite is to request the rental company use an antifreeze solution in the standard portable toilet holding tank. This is a standard winter service. The antifreeze is a brine or non-toxic liquid added during the weekly service visit that lowers the freezing point of the waste slurry. It does not affect the deodorizer function.

Moving the unit or changing the staking will not prevent the tank contents from freezing. The only other effective option is increasing the service frequency. More frequent pumping removes the waste before it has a chance to freeze solid overnight. For an 8 to 12 person crew, your current setup meets the OSHA 1926.51 requirement for 20 or fewer workers. A service bump to twice a week is common in freezing weather. This increases the rental cost, but it is the only alternative to the antifreeze treatment. Confirm with your provider that they are specifically adding the winter antifreeze mix.

  • Brooke L. I confirmed the antifreeze method with my rental company for my spring wedding. They said it's standard for any forecast near freezing, even for a weekend event. It's a simple addition to the contract.
1
Ray M.Dallas, TX

Deb is right about antifreeze, but she missed the step where the driver measures the antifreeze concentration. The operator adds a brine solution to the holding tank during the service visit, and the amount depends on the forecasted low temperature and the current slurry volume. For your crew size and weekly service, the tank is not full enough to freeze solid if the antifreeze is mixed correctly. If it froze last winter, the rental company either under-dosed it or used a weak formula. Ask them to verify their winter mix procedure. Increasing service frequency is an option, but it doubles the cost because it doubles the truck trips. For 12 guys in freezing weather, a properly treated unit should not freeze between weekly services.

  • Sam O. Agreed, but even with correct antifreeze, a unit in constant shade or wind can freeze. I asked my driver to place ours where it gets some sun, which helped a lot.

Your answer

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

Related questions