Just because the weather gets cold doesn’t mean that work can come to a halt or that people don’t want to spend time outdoors. However, many people worry that you cannot use a porta potty in winter because it may freeze. Everyone needs somewhere to see to their needs. OHSA requires employers to provide all workers with immediately available, sanitary restrooms. For many worksites, this means porta potties are a must.
Fortunately, you can indeed use a porta potty in winter. There are a few considerations with this. Here is what you need to know about why public park restrooms tend to shut down in the winter, how you can keep a porta potty from freezing, and other factors involved in using porta potties in the winter months.
Why Do Public Outdoor Restrooms Close During The Winter?
Parks see less use during winter months, but this doesn’t mean that no one ever goes out. Parks can be especially popular if they have prime sledding hills. However, many parks close their outdoor restrooms during the winter months. Without a porta potty, people can have nowhere to see to their needs and have to cut their time outdoors short as they flee in search of an open restroom.
Not all parks and outdoor places close their restrooms during the winter months. However, many do. This is because of the increased maintenance winter months require. Many public outdoor restrooms are not heated and would end up freezing if left open.
Fortunately, when public outdoor restrooms close, oftentimes, porta potties will be placed nearby. This is because you can indeed use a porta potty in winter, so that even if the public outdoor restroom is closed, anyone who is out and about can still see to their needs without the stress and pressure of having to leave and find somewhere else.
Can You Use A Porta Potty In Winter?
Since public outdoor restrooms close, it’s only natural to wonder if you can use a porta potty in the winter or if you’re stuck trying to find somewhere indoors. There are special considerations taken during the winter months in order to keep porta potties fully functional so that everyone can be sanitary.
This is important in public spaces, like parks, during outdoor winter events, and especially at worksites. As mentioned above, OHSA requires that employers ensure their employees have easy access to a restroom. Without porta potties, you, your employees, and your work would be in quite the predicament.
Fortunately, you can use a porta potty in the winter. We’ll go more into detail about how you can prevent a porta potty from freezing so that it can be used in the winter in the next section.
How Do You Keep A Porta Potty From Freezing?
There are multiple proven processes to keep a porta potty from freezing. We covered them in more detail in our previous blog: How To Winterize A Portable Restroom? 5 Best Winter Porta Potty Tips. However, for your convenience, we’ll touch on them here, too.
You can keep a porta potty from freezing by:
- Placing the unit in direct sunlight.
- Guarding the unit from the wind.
- Adding a portable heater to the unit.
- Removing snow.
- Opting for a restroom trailer.
Read our previous blog for more information on how these work to keep a porta potty from freezing.
You also want to ensure that the mixture in the unit will not freeze. Salt, methanol, and other de-icing solutions prevent the portable toilet from freezing.
Do You Need A Porta Potty In Winter?
Canyon View Dumpsters is here to help! We carry a variety of portable restroom options, such as your standard porta potties to ADA-compliant handicap toilets to restroom trailers and more. Our portable restrooms are sanitary, clean, easy to use, and stress-free to rent. Contact us today to learn more about our portable toilet services.
