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 know how to winterize a toilet when it’s 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.
Key Takeaways
- Portable toilets can freeze in Alberta’s winters; winterization is crucial.
- Position toilets in sunny, sheltered spots and clear surrounding snow.
- Use RV/marine antifreeze or salty brine to prevent freezing.
- Consider insulated toilets for added protection.
Do Toilets Freeze in Cold Weather?
Yes, portable toilets can freeze in the winter, especially in a province like Alberta, where temperatures can drop to -30 or colder.
Both the waste tank and the flushing water can freeze, causing blockages that make the portable toilet unusable. Once frozen, toilets can require full pump-outs, full-day thawing, or complete replacement. That means it’s vital for you to understand how to winterize a toilet.
You should learn how to winterize a toilet to:
- Ensure comfort: Keeping your portable toilet out of the worst of the winter elements makes it more comfortable for anyone who uses it.
- Prevent 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.
- Assist flushing mechanisms: Frozen water lines and pumps can make flushing impossible, which creates health and safety issues.
How to Winterize a Toilet: Cold Weather Porta Potty Tips
Natural Solutions
Wondering how to winterize a toilet with natural solutions? Even in the coldest conditions, you can use Mother Nature to your advantage when winterizing your toilet. The location of your portable toilet is important on every job site, and keeping it out of the worst of the winter elements can be a big help.
Find the Sun
Place your portable toilet in a spot that receives direct sunlight can keep it a little warmer and more comfortable for anyone who uses it.
No sun on your site? Consider 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.
Shield from 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.
- 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 to prevent the liquids and chemicals inside from freezing.
- Rent an Insulated Toilet: Insulated toilets reduce servicing issues and prevent a toilet from freezing, saving time and cost.
- Position the Door Away from Prevailing Winds: This helps to prevent cold drafts from entering the porta potty, ensuring a more comfortable indoor environment.
- Avoid Placing Toilets Where Snow Drifts Accumulate: Keeping toilets away from spots where snow piles up means fewer winter hassles. This way, you won’t have to deal with frozen pipes or losing use of the bathroom when you need it most!
Portable Toilet Winterization Methods: Which One Works Best?
Whether it’s summer or winter, your toilet requires regular cleaning and inspections. When the temperatures start to drop, and you’re wondering how to winterize a toilet bowl, there are a few treatments you can use to prevent a freezing toilet.
Antifreeze
Only use RV/marine antifreeze, NOT automotive, as it is safe for disposal. Adding antifreeze to your waste tank will help prevent freezing. By mixing it with deodorizing water in the tank, you can prevent the liquid from freezing at 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 of liquids. It’s quite similar to how it’s used on roads and sidewalks in many Canadian cities to prevent slippery ice from building up. However, salt can cause corrosion to some components; use cautiously.
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.
Note: It’s worth remembering, however, that chloride pellets have a 1-week lifespan, so you’ll have to be organized and request the services you need to keep your toilet from freezing over the winter.
Where Can I Find Toilets Built for Winter?
Once you know how to winterize a toilet, you’ll be able to keep workers on your site or guests at your event warm throughout the long, cold winter months.
You can also take extra steps to ensure their comfort, though, and FenceLine offers several options specifically designed for Alberta’s winters.
Warm Insulated (Jacketed) Toilets
We know Alberta winters can be extremely challenging on industrial and commercial construction sites. That’s why our Insulated Toilets are a great solution during the colder months.
These units maintain a comfortable temperature even in the coldest weather! Our insulated units reduce labour costs by encouraging crews to stay on site and use on-site facilities rather than making regular trips to the gas station, and they boost morale by providing top-notch facilities.
Did you know that we also have Heated and Enclosed Handwash Stations? Complete with a 1250-watt heater and light, these units are fully insulated and lockable.
Hardwall/Executive Heated Toilets
Executive Heated Toilets are one option for harsh Alberta winters. These toilets are exceptionally sturdy, with a poly tank and base. The insulated rigid walls are made of 1 1/2” metal-clad panel construction (R12).
The interior has a 1250-watt baseboard heater with thermostat, an interior light with on/off switch, a coat hook, a GFCI-protected 110-volt 12-amp outlet, and a dead bolt locking with vacant/occupied indicator.
| Feature | Jacketed Toilet | Heated Hardwall Toilet |
| R-Value | Medium | High (R12) |
| Heater | Optional | Built-In |
| Best For | Construction | Long-term projects, extreme cold |
| Power Required | No | Yes |
Rent or Buy Portable Toilets to Get You Through Winter
Winterizing portable toilets is critical for comfort, safety, and durability. A few simple steps can go a long way toward helping you winterize a toilet.
FenceLine offers portable toilets for rent in Calgary, Edmonton, and across Alberta, perfect for construction sites, outdoor weddings, events, and concerts. We have baseboards and space heaters available to help prevent freezing and keep anyone using the portable toilet warm and comfortable.
Request a quote today and keep your site compliant, safe, and warm—even at -30°C!
FAQ
How to winterize a toilet in Alberta?
To winterize a toilet in Alberta, first shut off the water supply to the toilet. Then, flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl. Once emptied, add RV antifreeze to both the tank and the bowl to prevent any remaining water from freezing. Finally, make sure to drain any excess water from the stop valve and ensure everything is covered or sealed to protect it from cold temperatures.
How do you clean a portable toilet?
Schedule a cleaning at least once a week, with more regular cleaning if it’s getting a lot of use, and make sure you have lots of hygiene products available.
How often can a portable toilet be used before it needs servicing?
A standard-size portable toilet can hold around 227 to 265 litres of waste. This equates to about 100 uses before it needs servicing.