One of the biggest questions customers ask when they choose to rent a portable toilet is when they should have it pumped. However, the answer is that there is no hard and fast rule, but there are some factors that can help you to decide when it is time. Let’s take a look at these.
Why Pump Portable Toilets?
For many renters, this question may seem absurd, but if you’re only renting portable toilets for a day or two, having them pumped isn’t likely to be an issue. However, if you’re renting them for an extended period of time, it’s something you need to consider. Also, when you’re portable toilet is pumped out, odor neutralizing agent is added, and supplies such as hand sanitizer and bath tissue are restocked, which is convenient as well.
Traffic
Unlike a regular toilet which can receive indefinite usage, a portable toilet can only be used so many times until it needs to be pumped. Therefore, it is common sense that high-traffic toilets will need to be pumped more frequently. A high traffic portable toilet may often need pumped three or four times per week to remain in good condition.
Without proper pumping frequency, a portable toilet can become full and start to stink badly enough that potential users will likely become unwilling to use them. This can cause a number of issues as people will need to go somewhere. For this reason, remember that a service schedule can typically be easily modified if things go differently than you expected.
The Number of Toilets
In general, there should be at least one toilet present for every ten 8-hour shift employees or two toilets for every 50 guests. When a number of portable toilets smaller than this are present, then typically these are used more frequently.
This results in a need to pump more frequently and could result in long lines and some dissatisfied guests and/or employees. Remember that the opposite can be true as well, and by getting more toilets and spreading them out appropriately, you can expect them to need pumping less frequently.
Temperature
One factor many users don’t account for in their plans for pumping is the weather. However, this factor can play a heavy role in a user’s experience. When the temperatures climb, a portapotty can begin to smell much worse with far less usage than one may expect.
The opposite is true as well, and low temperatures can work in favor of lower pumping intervals as well. This means that it can be wise to plan for more frequent pumping intervals in the summer and fewer in colder months.
Final Thoughts
Now you know that the answer to how often to schedule pumping for your portable toilet is not so easy. It requires planning for traffic, the number of units, and even the temperature; however, these can be difficult to predict. When in doubt, plan to at least schedule for one pumping a week, and remember that you can always ask your provider for help planning as well.
Contact Us
If you need assistance renting or planning services for portable toilets, contact Flush Services. Our experienced team is happy to offer you more than ten years of experience in the industry to help you. Call us at (978) 778-8000 and connect with us on Facebook.
