FAQ’S for Porta Potty Rentals

For long term applications a weekly service (or after 80-100 uses) is sufficient to meet the needs of most users. However, for large special events a porta potty service may be needed on a daily or nightly basis. When renting a portable toilet be sure to discuss your specific needs with the customer service representative to ensure that your toilets will be serviced at an appropriate frequency.

The standard porta potty is manufactured using components made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic and aluminum. Some small components like springs and fasteners are made out of steel. Rails to support the porta potty above the ground can be made out of wood or plastic. This makes the porta potty very light and easy to move and transport.

Since Porta Potties are small and light this makes them easy to tip over. Inclement weather and rowdy teenagers can easily knock over a porta potty which can make it non-usable until a technician comes to service the unit. Servicing a unit that has been knocked over can also be challenging since the waste and chemicals have to be cleaned up manually. With that said, you should consider staking down your porta potties for the duration of your special event.

Since Porta Potties are mostly made out of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic they can essentially be manufactured in any color. Most porta potties are either a bright blue or a gray color. Porta potties are also commonly found in navy blue, teal, orange, and white.

Yes, in fact porta potties do very well in warm climates. Today’s porta potties are designed to optimize airflow within the unit and additional equipment such as solar or battery power fans are available to keep the air moving. Bacteria within the holding tank can be more active in a warm climate so additional chemicals are usually added to counteract this the increase in bacterial activity.

Standard porta potty measures approximately 4 feet by 4 feet or about 16 square feet. Some models are smaller however standard ADA compliant restrooms must have enough room for a wheel chair to enter and turn around. An ADA compliant unit can typically measures around 40 square feet. Most standard porta potties are between 7.5 feet and 8 feet tall.

Porta potties are designed to fit a lot of things into a small space. This includes an anti-slip floor, a translucent roof, air vents, self closing doors with locks, privacy/occupancy indicators and a contoured seat with lid. Some, but not all, porta potties also have a non-splash urinal in addition to the standard toilet seat.

A standard porta potty comes with 2 rolls of toilet paper. Additional features can be added as needed such as hand sanitizers, fans & lighting, and paper seat covers as well.

Porta potties can harbor many pathogens and diseases however the risk of actually contracting a disease is usually no higher than what you would expect from any public restroom. By practicing good hygiene and washing your hands often you can help to prevent the spread of disease. Porta potties should also be serviced after every 80 to 100 uses or at least weekly to keep the bacteria levels from exceeding safe levels.

Typically, sanitation technicians can clean and pump 40-50 portable toilets in one day.

 Once a truck is full of waste it is delivered to a nearby wastewater treatment plant for processing. The wastewater facility processes it in a similar fashion to raw sewage.

Typically the contents of a porta potty are removed by pumping it into a truck with a high-powered suction hose. One truck can easily service 10-20 porta potties.

Most porta potties have the capacity to hold anywhere from 50 to 100 gallons of waste and chemicals. The typical standard porta potty has an average tank size of about 60-70 gallons.

Should you happen to get the blue liquid on your skin or clothing you needn’t worry about the stain being permanent. With the use of soap or standard laundry detergents the dye should easily come out. However, it must be noted that the blue dye can stain many porous surfaces such as non-treated wood, concrete, and rocks or landscaping.

Standard porta potties do not flush. The standard porta potty has toilet seat that opens to a holding tank that stores and collects waste until the unit is serviced by a sanitation technician. However, there are portable toilets that have flushing mechanisms designed to suit a variety of situations.