Frequently Asked Questions - Portable Toilets

---

A porta-potty, johnny-on-the-spot, Crap-house, or other terms generally means the same thing; a mobile container with a black water storage tank. These toilets come in all forms from single-use, family-sized, handicap accessible, and luxury event.  Some even have sinks and flushable toilets!

Portable toilets started off as a generic out house.  A heavy wooden box with a 55 gallon drum as a tank, this eventually turned to slightly lighter plywood boxes with removeable drums.  Eventually wood lead to fiberglass, then multi-use plastic models.   Now-a-days these portable toilets come in all shapes, materials, and sizes, including wooden, plastic, and even metal.

Portable potties can generally go anywhere.  As long as there is a flat space larger than the base of the toilet (generally 4'x4' for a standard unit).  We've seen toilets on boats, behind cabins, on street corners, and in deserts.  So what's the catch?  I've heard they have to be close to the road? While a portable toilet can offer the comforts-of-home nearly anywhere, there is an important concept to keep in mind.  They need something to make them portable.  This is generally a "Pumper truck"

A pumper truck comes in all shapes and sizes.  Some have 2-wheel drive and others 4, but they all have one thing in common. They are HEAVY. Most pumper trucks will have fresh and waste water tanks, and with (waste)water weighing in at 8 lbs per gallon these get heavy fast. Because of this we highly suggest requesting a toilet location within 10' of a drive-able surface.   Past this distance may result in damage to the location and may incur extra removal fees.

Construction: 1 toilet per 10 people a week working one shift. If there are two shifts of 10 people each working a week-long project they will need at least 2 toilets.

Use our Construction Portable Toilet Calculator to best anticipate your needs.

This is a loaded question.  Every event, or need, is different.    Events: Not every guest will use the restroom, and some will use it multiple times. While it is hard to find the "perfect" amount of potties, we use a restroom calculator to help.   Often, 1 toilet per 50 guests is enough. Planners should also keep in mind that if guests will use the facilities at roughly the same time, more units may be needed to prevent overuse and long wait times.

Toilet tanks have a capacity of 40 to 50 gallons and are only filled with 5-10 gallons of fresh blue water, but this does not mean 40 more gallons of waste should be added.  Once the waste starts rising above water level, the toilet has reached its recommended capacity and a cleaning service should be requested.  Trash, wipes, and improperly used toilet paper can all cause this to happen quicker.

4 things go in the toilet tank.  

1. "Blue" Water 
2. Pee 
3. Poop 
4. Toilet Paper (Rapid dissolving)  

There are few, if any exceptions. The following things cannot be pumped by a pumper truck and will cause delay or damage to our equipment: 

• "Flushable" wipes 
• Diapers 
• Tampons Pads 
• Trash 
• Paper Towels 
• Home toilet paper (Unlike T-Swift it doesn't break up) 
• Cardboard 
• Food 
• Cups 
• Cans 
• Bottles 
• Phones 
• Literally, anything that isn't in the first list of 4.

Wipes are soft, sturdy, so they do not break apart.  They are every pumper's nightmare.    

Because they are soft, they bunch up and create clogs in hoses that cannot be "sucked out". They must be removed by hand.  Because they are sturdy, they will not dissolve into a pumpable or dump-able substance. Instead, these wipes build up over time in our tanks or in septic tanks and cause massive failure.  

BUT! They're called flushable! 

Flushable does not mean they can be pumped.  It's advertising, not reality.

All services are expected to be performed under standard service procedures. Within 10 ft of a drive-able service, unblocked, and unlocked. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed to prevent contact with our vehicles and equipment.

We are not responsible for unmarked or buried utilities. Yard damage or track marks are the responsibility of the property owner.

 We serve the majority of Northeastern Ohio, covering a broad territory that includes Tuscarawas, Stark, Carroll, Portage, Summit, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Coshocton, Guernsey, and Harrison counties. While our primary focus is on major hubs like Canton, Massillon, New Philadelphia, Dover, Carrollton, Millersburg, and Cadiz, our service area also extends to surrounding cities such as Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Kent, Wooster, Medina, Wadsworth, Coshocton, and Salem. If you are located in a neighboring area not explicitly listed, please reach out to us, as we are happy to consider providing service to additional counties upon request. 

Prices range from $150 - $300. The range includes use case, quantity, and equipment needed. This is for plastic units only.

Our portable toilet calculator uses studies from Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) along with the information you enter to create a highly accurate expectation of toilets needed for your event.

Guest count is the main factor, with length of event and alcohol increasing the ratio of toilets needed per guests. Our calculator takes these numbers, along with OSHA and ADA compliance standards to provide you with an accurate representation of toilets needed.

You can view our two calculators here:
Event Portable Toilet Calculator
Construction Portable Toilet Calculator

We also provide a Trailer Selection Tool:

Trailer Selection Tool

Restroom trailers are enclosed box trailers with full plumbing. Our trailers include upgrades such as music, on board power, water, and fully private stalls. Pictures can be viewed on the Luxury Restroom Trailer page.

These are the premier restroom experience for any party or event.

CLP Services offers a variety of sizes, including:

2 Stall Slim

2 Stall Luxury

3 Stall Luxury

4 Stall Luxury

4 Door Luxury

Restroom trailers are the pinnacle of portable toilets. These luxury units will cost between $900 - $2,000 per weekend, depending on size and other needs. Custom prices may be available for long term use.

Use our tailer selector to best anticipate your guests needs.

This selector uses manufacturer standards along with information provided by you to best select viable trailer options. For example, if your event has a large number of attendees, the selector removes trailers that are too small.

CLP Services offers a variety of sizes, including:

2 Stall Slim is suitable for ~100 Guests

2 Stall Luxury is suitable for ~200 Guests

3 Stall Luxury is suitable for ~300 Guests

4 Stall Luxury is suitable for ~400 Guests

4 Door Luxury is suitable for ~400 Guests

The enclosed section of the trailer is 14'x10'. A full 20'x10' is required to fit the trailer with hitch included.  The delivery truck is a heavy-duty vehicle, please keep this in mind when deciding where to place your rental.

The enclosed section of the trailer is 10'x9'. A full 16'x10' is required to fit the trailer with hitch included.  The delivery truck is a heavy-duty vehicle, please keep this in mind when deciding where to place your rental.

The enclosed section of the trailer is 4'x8'. A full 5'x13' is required to fit the trailer with hitch included.  The delivery truck is a heavy-duty vehicle, please keep this in mind when deciding where to place your rental.

Electrical   

3 x 120V / 20A Outlets (Standard Home Outlet) are required to operate at peak performance. Only 1 required.    

1 x 120V / 20A Outlet for Lights, Music, AC (Required)   

1 x 120V / 20A Outlet for Heated Water in All Stalls (Optional)   

1 x 120V / 30A Outlet for Winter Package (Optional unless Freezing Conditions)   

Delivery & Setup   

The trailer will be placed by a heavy-duty truck.  Full clearance of 12’ height and 10’ width required for driving surface.  Trailer will require a parking space of 10’ width by 20’ length.  

Water

A fresh water supply is needed. This can be a standard garden hose or city water connect. Fresh water can be supplied in the trailer, please ask the office when making a reservation. Fresh water tanks range from 100 to 200 gallons.