Where to Put a Porta Potty in Rain, Mud and Storm Season
In Middle Tennessee's wet winter and spring, put a porta potty on the firmest, highest ground you have, such as gravel, concrete or a plywood pad, with the service truck able to park within about 15 feet. Stake the unit or set it against a wall before storms. If a tornado warning hits, take shelter and call us after; never move a full unit yourself.
Most quotes are given on the first call. Mon–Fri 7:00 AM–6:00 PM · Sat 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Why does rain cause trouble for porta potties here?
Middle Tennessee clay soil turns soft and slick after heavy rain, so a porta potty can sink on one side and lean. A leaning porta potty is harder to use and easier to tip. Winter and spring bring the wettest stretches, so plan porta potty placement for soft ground from December through May.
Low spots near creeks and rivers stay wet longest. Our Shelbyville page covers Duck River low ground, and our Woodbury page covers hollows and creek crossings.
How do I pick firm ground for a porta potty?
Pick firm, level ground that stays dry after rain: gravel, concrete, a paved drive edge or packed dirt on a rise. Avoid low spots, ditches, downspout splash zones and anywhere water pools. A slight slope is fine for a porta potty, and the gate or path must stay at least about 4 feet wide.
- Walk the yard after a rain and note where water sits
- Stay off the septic drain field
- Pick the high side of the driveway
- Mark the spot with a flag the driver can see
Should I use a gravel or plywood pad?
A gravel pad or a sheet of plywood spreads the weight of a porta potty on soft clay. A standard unit is about 4 feet by 4 feet, so one 4-by-8 sheet of thick plywood gives room for the unit plus a dry step at the door. A few inches of gravel holds up better for long rentals.
Put the pad down before delivery day so the driver can set the unit right on it.
Planning a rental?
Call with your address and dates. Dispatch quotes on the first call.
How do I keep a porta potty from blowing over?
Stake a porta potty or set it against a wall, fence or building when spring storms bring wind. An empty standard unit weighs only about 160–180 pounds, so a strong gust can tip it. On open, windy lots, ask for the porta potty to be staked at delivery.
Face the door away from the usual wind so rain doesn't blow in. Keep the door latched when no one is using it.
How do I keep the service truck able to reach it?
The service truck has to park within about 15 feet of the porta potty, and a heavy truck can get stuck in wet clay. Place the porta potty near a driveway, gravel lane or paved edge, not across a soggy yard. Tell dispatch before delivery if the only path crosses soft ground.
A missed service visit means a fuller tank. See how porta potty rental works for what the driver needs on site.
Where should a job site toilet go in a muddy winter?
On a winter construction site, set the job site toilet beside the gravel construction entrance, where the truck can reach the porta potty every week without leaving the stone. Weekly service only works if the truck can park within about 15 feet, and fresh fill around a new house stays soft for weeks.
Billing runs on a 28-day cycle with weekly service. See construction porta potty rental.
What should I tell dispatch when I book in wet weather?
Tell dispatch about soft ground, steep or narrow drives, low-water crossings and whether the porta potty spot sits more than 15 feet from where a truck can park. Sean Rental Works builds routes the morning of delivery, so wet-weather details sent with the order help the driver set the porta potty right the first time.
- Ground type at the spot: gravel, concrete, grass or dirt
- Distance from the drive, if more than about 15 feet
- Gate width, if under about 4 feet
- Any creek crossing that floods after storms
Not sure which unit fits a tight, wet spot? Compare porta potty units by size, or contact dispatch with photos of the site.
What should I do with a porta potty during tornado season?
During spring tornado season, don't move or lay down a porta potty yourself. A used porta potty holds up to 60 gallons of waste and is heavy and messy to move. If a storm is coming, take shelter. After it passes, call Sean Rental Works so the unit can be checked, stood back up or swapped.
Follow the National Weather Service tornado safety guide for your family first. The porta potty can wait.