Like clockwork hurricane season rampages through Florida for about 5-6 months. During this time, construction sites and outdoor workstations along the East and West coast are at jeopardy.
Because the Florida seasons are somewhat predictable, getting all your equipment out of the site can pose a logistical challenge. That’s why it’s important to rent your equipment from companies that understand the Florida climate. If your area is at risk during hurricane season, you need to secure as much as possible before the storm hits. This includes equipment, machinery – and porta potty rentals.
Being a company based out of Florida, we know too well what it’s like to experience the force of a hurricane. We’ve compiled our knowledge to give you this guide on how to prepare your port-a-potty rentals for hurricane season.
Before the Storm
Preparations for hurricanes should begin early enough for you to draft a plan to properly evacuate your work area. This will ensure you have enough time to prepare a safe location where you can move all your equipment. To keep your port-a-potty rentals from becoming airborne, try some of these tips:
1. Use Your Garage
If you have space in your garage, you can place your portable toilet inside to keep it safe during a tropical storm. However, this may not be feasible for every construction site, as it depends on several factors, such as the size and layout of the site, as well as the accessibility of the garage.
First, the rental company you choose to work with would need to come and pump out the unit, leaving it empty. If they’re unable to do so in time, it is still possible to move the unit, but be very careful not to create a mess when relocating it. It’s best to have a team on hand to handle the equipment carefully.
This method works best for home building projects where the location is outside of flood zones. For commercial projects, where garages may not be available or large enough to store the unit, we recommend exploring other options such as securing the unit to the ground or using heavier anchorage methods. If a garage is not accessible or suitable for your needs, consider one of our alternative solutions for storm protection.
2. Tie 'em Up
Using a strong rope, strap, chain, or cable, tying up your porta potty rental is the most recommended way to secure your unit regardless of site location. A crucial step in securing your unit is tying the doors shut or utilizing a metal lock to secure the door.
If you have multiple porta potties at your site, it’s highly recommended to tie them to a tree, dumpster or telephone post. Ensure the door is facing the tree, to avoid giving the wind access to the interior of your portable unit.
Another thing you can try is propping your tied-up portable toilet against the leeward side of a building. To learn more about tying a porta potty, check out our e-book today! We make it so easy to make sure your porta potty doesn’t get caught in those hurricane winds.
3. Barricade Your Porta Potty
In the absence of an enclosed space, rope, or suitable weights for anchorage, you can use heavy machinery and a nearby wall to create one. Barricade a small area where you can store a few port-a-potty rentals, ensuring their doors are securely tied shut with a zip tie or lock.
Nearly every attempt to keep your port-a-potty secured during hurricane season will require you to block the door in some way. Keeping the unit from flying away will protect you from incuring fees for a lost and damaged unit. Whether you group the port-a-potties together and tie them or anchor them with a rope, a cluster of bathrooms will be heavier to lift and less likely to go airborne.
After the Storm
The first thing to do after the storm is to assess the damage to your site, equipment, and rentals.
Doodie Calls services the state of Florida in times of disaster. When you need us, we will be there. At Doodie Calls we’re committed to providing excellent service for our customers. After the storm, it’s our responsibility to help you get your port-a-potty rentals in tip-top shape and ready for use.
However, if you’ve done a good job securing your port-a-potty rentals before the tropical storm arrives, you should still have functional portable toilets on site. Keep these tips in mind for next hurricane season if you don’t want to be caught unawares.
Need Portable Toilets? Contact Doodie Calls!
As the leading provider of portable toilets in Florida, we know how to deal with hurricanes. We ensure that all our port-a-potty rental orders are delivered before the start of hurricane season. If your area is in the projected path of a hurricane, we pump out all the water from the portables so they are empty and easy for you to move to a secure location. At Doodie Calls, one of our core values is excellent customer service – it’s what we are known for. If you need portable toilets restroom trailers, hand washing sink rentals, bunk and laundry trailers, contact us at +1 (813) 800-POOP, or click here to request a quote.
