Whether you’re hosting an outdoor event or working on a construction site, having clean and functioning portable toilets is absolutely vital. But in Alberta, we get some of the harshest winters in the world, and you must winterize toilets when they’re exposed to the elements.
A properly winterized toilet can be clean and comfortable for anyone working outdoors in the winter, but some prep work is required to prevent issues during the long, cold winter months.
Can Toilets Freeze in Cold Weather?
Yes, portable toilets can absolutely freeze in the winter, especially in a province like Alberta, where temperatures can drop to minus 30 or even colder. Both the waste tank and the water that’s used for flushing can freeze and cause blockages that make the portable toilet unusable.
Winterizing your toilet can prevent freezing, though. A little proactive work can go a long way towards preventing the problems that can arise when a toilet has not been winterized, and the frigid Alberta winter starts taking its toll.
Why Winterize Your Portable Toilet?
Portable toilets can freeze in the winter, but that’s not the only reason you should prepare your toilet for the cold weather.
- Comfort: Keeping your portable toilet out of the worst of the winter elements makes it more comfortable for anyone who uses it.
- Waste tank freezing: This can cause blockages and make the toilet unusable, but frozen waste can also be much harder to clean and dispose of, which could damage the tank.
- Flushing mechanisms: Frozen water lines and pumps can make flushing impossible, which creates health and safety issues.
How Do You Winterize Toilet?
When it comes time to winterize your toilet, there are a few easy things you can do to ensure it will get through the harsh conditions.
Natural Solutions
Even in the coldest conditions, you can use Mother Nature to your advantage when preparing to winterize your toilet. The location of your portable toilet is important on every job site, and keeping it in a place where it’s not completely exposed to the worst of the winter elements can be a big step.
Place Your Portable Toilet in a Sunny Location
It gets cold in Alberta, but everyone who lives here knows we’re fortunate to be blessed by sunnier weather than pretty much everywhere else in Canada. The sun provides warmth, so placing your portable toilet somewhere that receives direct sunlight can keep it just a little warmer and more comfortable for anyone who uses it.
And if there isn’t a spot on your worksite where that’s possible, it’s worth considering placing a portable heater nearby. The heater doesn’t need to run 24/7, but having it on during the day while people need to use the portable toilet can help keep everyone more comfortable and prevent freezing, too. Don’t forget to turn it off at night, though, and take the necessary safety precautions.
Snow & Wind
Winter winds can be nasty in Alberta, so finding a space that isn’t completely exposed to the wind can make a huge difference in comfort and sheltering your portable toilet from the harshest conditions.
- Find Shelter: Something as simple as a bush or a wall can go a long way, and it can even be worthwhile to move your portable toilet to a temporary indoor location like a garage or a shed if you can’t find somewhere outside that is shielded from the wind.
- Keep the Area Clear: Be sure to clear snow from around the base of your portable toilet. This is an important, ongoing part of winterizing your toilet because it protects the temperatures of the liquids and chemicals inside.
- Rent an Insulated Toilet: Fenceline Rentals Ltd. has insulated portable toilets for rent that provide an added layer of comfort and protection during winter, but taking extra precautionary measures like adding sandbags around the exterior base will create an extra layer of insulation that can help prevent the toilet’s liquid from freezing.
Treatments to Winterize Your Toilet
Whether it’s summer or winter, your toilet requires regular cleaning and inspections. When the temperatures start to drop, there are a few treatments you can use to winterize your toilet and prevent a freezing toilet.
Antifreeze
Adding antifreeze to your waste tank will help prevent freezing. By mixing it with the deodorizing water in the tank, you can keep the liquid from freezing in colder temperatures. Make sure that all antifreeze products and any other chemicals used can be disposed of at local wastewater facilities.
Salty Brine
Salt can be used in portable toilets to lower the freezing points for liquids. It’s really quite similar to how it’s used on roads and sidewalks in many Canadian cities to prevent slippery ice from building up.
How to use it: All you need to do is add a salty mixture to the liquid, which will lower the freezing point, although freezing can still occur in more extreme cold.
Chloride Pebble Mix
One of the most effective ways to prevent a freezing toilet is to add a chloride pebble to the toilet bowl solution. The pellets act as insulation and can withstand temperatures as low as -31 degrees Celsius.
Yes, it still gets colder than that in Alberta a few times a year, but a chloride pebble mix will work on most days. It’s worth remembering, however, that chloride pellets only have a one-week lifespan, so you’ll need to be organized and request the services you need to get your toilet through the winter without freezing.
Portable Toilets to Get You Through Winter
Winterizing portable toilets is absolutely critical for comfort, safety, and durability. A little proactive preparation can prevent mid-winter emergencies and help ensure your portable toilet does exactly what it’s meant for all year long.
Fenceline Rentals Ltd. has portable toilets for rent in Calgary and Edmonton that are perfect for construction sites, outdoor weddings, events, and concerts. We even have baseboard and space heaters available to help prevent freezing and keep anyone using the portable toilet warm and comfortable.
To find out more about renting a portable toilet, contact us online or call us toll-free at 1-866-922-7368.