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.

Portable Toilets are a taboo topic to discuss for most individuals. Many people have experienced a porta potty at various events while some people refuse to step within a wide radius of them. The topic of porta potties must be discussed due to the increase in questions asked in the past few years. Without answers to the questions, you may have a difficult time deciding on how and what to rent for your event. 

We are here to help debunk the portable toilet theories, answer your questions, and educate people about these sanitary solutions. 

7 Most Popular Questions Asked about Portable Toilets:

1. What is a Porta Potty? 
2. How are Portable Toilets Built?
3. How Durable are Portable Toilets?
4. Do Porta Potties Flush?
5. What Chemicals are Used in Portable Toilets?
6. Where Does the Waste Go?
7. How are Porta Potties Cleaned?

Let’s start with the basics:

What is a Porta Potty? 

In simple words, a porta potty is a portable unit that contains a toilet. It is an efficient and top pick for sanitary services and restroom solutions. Porta-Potties are also referred to as portable toilets and portable johns. These portable units are accessible in various places once transported. They are a great solution for many events and activities. Portables are meant to provide and cost-effective, functional, and efficient way for all your people to take care of their business.

How are Portable Toilets Built?

Portable Toilets are built with function, cleanliness, and durability in mind. Most porta-potties are made of durable materials such as polyethylene and aluminum. The outer walls of the unit are thick and usually include a ventilation system. 

The interior of a typical portable toilet includes a non-slip floor, toilet seat, urinal, and a holding tank. 

How Durable are Portable Toilets?

Portable restroom units are made to withstand the weather. There are ways to help make a porta potty withstand the seasonal changes. We will proceed with the chemical solutions later in this article. They are durable to ensure easy cleaning and long-term reuse. 

Do Porta Potties Flush?

Depending on the type of porta potty, they may include a flushing mechanism. They would include a flushing pedal and water pump. This helps circulate the contents. Keep in mind that the contents will still be held in the unit’s tank temporarily.

What Chemicals are Used in Portable Toilets?

Commonly, you will see a blue or highly saturated mixture in the porta potty. This chemical mixture can consist of:

• Enzymes and Biocides: These two ingredients are bacteria-eating machines. They help remove the odor of bacteria and speed up the decomposition process. 
• Blue/Color Dye: This dye will help mask the appearance of human waste. It is also used to indicate when there is a need for more of the solution due to color change. 
• Surfactants: This aids in the mixing of added fragrances throughout the tank.
• Fragrance

These ingredients are all added to the water of the tank. There is a certain ratio of water to the mixture that must be measured. 

Where Does the Waste Go?

The porta potty waste that is in the unit’s tank is then taken to a sanitation facility to be emptied and sanitized. 

The portable toilet is cleaned with a vacuum hose attached to a truck or at a standing facility. The waste is disposed of properly at a municipal wastewater treatment plant. 

How are Porta Potties Cleaned?

The emptied unit’s tank is filled up with fresh water and a sanitation solution. The interior and exterior are sanitized to kill germs and filth. Once cleaned, they are dried and prepped for the next use. Prepping primarily includes refilling hygienic solutions and adding in the necessary sanitary solutions. 

Have More Questions? We Are Here to Answer. 

If you have questions about portable toilets, ask us today! We are here to help answer your questions and give guidance for your next portable toilet rental.