Can You Use Portable Toilets in Cold Weather?

December 15, 2020

One common question we get from potential clients is whether portable toilets can be used even in cold weather. The answer is yes, but you may need to take some special precautions, depending on how low you expect the temperature to get during your period of usage.

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know about keeping your porta potty from freezing and safely using your portable toilet rental in Toledo, OH during the coldest parts of the year:

  • Portable heaters: One of the simplest yet most effective steps you can take to keep your portable toilets usable during the coldest times of year is to install a small portable heater in the unit. This will keep the unit warm enough to prevent the water from freezing, and also to ensure at least a reasonably comfortable experience for anyone using the bathroom. These heaters can easily be turned on and off, but we recommend using units that have automatic timers, just in case you have someone forget to turn the heater off at some point. It’s also important to make sure you don’t crank the heat up too high, as too much heat in such a condensed area could quickly become problematic.
  • Shelter from the wind: The air temperature is already cold enough during the winter without you unnecessarily exposing the portable toilets to some significant wind chill as well. Use structures around the site as some additional shelter for portable toilets to keep them warmer. You might, for example, decide to place the porta potty along a wall, fence or dumpster to keep the unit shielded from the winds. This also has the added benefit of keeping the units more stable—heavy winds could cause the unit to tip over if they get enough force behind them, so providing some extra shelter can help you keep the units upright.
  • Place in the sun: Whenever it is possible to do so, placing the portable toilets in the sun will help you get a little bit more warmth. This means ideally placing the unit in a south-facing location so you can maximize the sun exposure. If you’re using a shelter to protect it from the wind, try to keep the portable toilets lined up against the south wall of that shelter. The warmth of the sun will provide some additional heat on the unit’s walls and insulate the inside of the structure.
  • Place inside a structure: If you have a warehouse or garage where you can store the porta potty during the winter without having too many concerns about fumes, then you should consider doing so. In that case, you won’t have to worry nearly as much about the contents freezing or the other steps you’ll need to take to protect it.

Interested in learning more about the ins and outs of portable toilet rental in Toledo, OH during the winter months? We encourage you to contact Ace Diversified Services with any questions. We’d be glad to get you prepared for your rental, regardless of the season!

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