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What's the worst weather you've serviced porta potties in?

Deb K.asked 2 viewsGeneral DiscussionService visitWeatherDriversConstructionWinterization

I've been driving a vacuum truck for nine years, and the worst was a January morning after an ice storm. The construction site was a mud pit. I had to chain up the truck just to get off the road, and then slog through half-frozen slop to get to the standard units. The hoses were stiff, the tank caps were frozen shut, and I had to chip ice away from the doors with a shovel. The wind chill made it feel like ten below. You learn real fast how to check the deodorizer levels and move quickly when your gloves are soaked.

What's the worst weather you've had to service in? Any crazy wind, rain, or heat stories?

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Porta Potty Forum Team moderatorUnited States

The worst weather I've serviced in was a hurricane's aftermath, with floodwaters rising around the units. The wind was still gusting, rain was horizontal, and the access road was submerged. I had to wade through knee-deep water to reach the standard units, which were starting to float and tip. The vacuum truck couldn't get close, so I used extension hoses, fighting the current to keep them from drifting away. Everything was slick with mud, and the deodorizer had washed out, leaving a raw smell. In extreme heat, I've dealt with units hitting internal temperatures over 120°F, accelerating waste breakdown and odor, requiring extra service visits. High winds demand extra staking and tie-downs to prevent tip-overs. Weather extremes always mean slower work, higher risks, and sometimes emergency call-outs, which drive up costs due to labor intensity and equipment strain.

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