Reviewed by Noel, owner of Noel Portable Toilets Rental
Do porta potties freeze in a Minnesota winter?
A porta potty tank can freeze in an Alexandria winter, where average January lows sit near 1°F. We prevent that by adding salt brine to the holding tank so the contents stay liquid well below zero, and we keep servicing on schedule so the tank never sits full in deep cold.
- Winter units use waterless hand sanitizer instead of water sinks.
- Deluxe flushing units and restroom trailers are not used in hard freezes unless heated.
- Seats get a foam cover on request for long cold-weather jobs.
What does a winter porta potty need on site?
A winter porta potty needs a plowed, packed path for the service truck and a level spot that is not on top of a snowbank that will melt and tilt the unit. Keep the door side clear of drifting snow, and let us know before a big storm if your site is hard to reach.
Douglas County sits in Minnesota's 5-foot frost zone (Minn. R. 1303.1600). Ground that thaws in March gets soft fast, so plan a gravel or plywood pad for spring.
Can I rent a porta potty for ice fishing or deer camp?
Ice fishing groups and deer camps rent standard units with brine-treated tanks. We place them on shore at a public access or private lot, not on the ice. Deer camps usually keep a unit for the season on a 28-day plan with every-other-week service.
Do you still service units during snowstorms?
Winter service runs on the normal weekly day unless roads are closed or a storm makes travel unsafe. If a storm moves a visit, we come on the next safe day and do not charge for the missed visit. Plowed access is the one thing we need from you.