January 23, 2025
Conduct a Visual Inspection of a Portable Restroom Trailer in 3 Steps
It is a good idea to perform an inspection before your mobile bathroom trailers open for use at the beginning of a work day or event to ensure that everything is ready for your guests and that any glaring issues can be addressed.
Over the course of your day, you should check in on your trailers a few times to be sure that your unit is well stocked, tank levels are good, and all of the facilities are accessible and safe for your users.
As with any maintenance, at the end of the day, you should do one more walk-through so that any issues can be handled before the next time your trailer is needed on a day out.
How to Inspect Your Trailer
While there is no one right or wrong way to perform a visual inspection of your trailer, you must cover a few essential aspects. Here are three simple steps for inspecting your trailer to make your life easier.
Step 1: Inspecting the Exterior of the Trailer
Before heading into the trailer, look around the outside of the unit.
Tires
Check tires to ensure they are full of air and have no punctures. If your trailer is parked where it will be used, look at the ground it rests on. Is it level? Is it solid? If it isn’t, moving your trailer to a more secure location before your guests start using it is a good idea.
Roof and Walls
Take a look at the exterior walls and roof of your trailer. Look for any dents or damage to the structure. This aspect of an inspection is especially important after transporting your trailer or during a wind or rainstorm, as that is the most likely time for external damage to occur.
If there is any minor damage, take a picture or mark it with a sticker so you can address it when you have the time and tools to fix it. If the damage is significant and affects the unit's structural integrity, you should close down the unit until necessary repairs can be made.
Doors, Stairs, Railings, and Ramps
Next, look at the stairs up to your trailer or ramps for ADA restroom trailers. Ensure each step and railings are secure and clear from ice or debris. It is vital to have accessible restroom trailers that individuals of all mobility needs can use, and safe stairs and ramps are crucial to the safety and well-being of your guests. As you walk up the stairs, check the exterior doors' latches, doorknobs, and locks. This is an essential step because it ensures the safety and privacy of the trailer and the guests using it.
Step 2: Inspecting the Interior
If you are visually inspecting your trailer while in use, announce yourself as you walk into the unit to avoid startling guests, especially if entering a facility dedicated to the opposite gender.
Lights, Leaks, and Other Trip Hazards
First, flip on the light switches and ensure all bulbs work. Then, check the floors of the space. Are they dirty, wet, or covered in trash? If so, make sure to give them a clean, and if they are wet, identify where the water came from. It is better to catch a leak in the roof, walls, or plumbing sooner rather than later. Again, it is also essential that any tripping hazards are out of the way, especially if any guests use mobility aids in attendance.
Countertops, Sinks, and Mirrors
Next, check the sinks. Ensure that the drains work smoothly and that clean water runs out of the taps. If your trailer has a mirror, make sure that there are no scratches or cracks that could lead to breaks and sharp glass falling to the floor. Ensure the countertops are clean and clear of any paper towels or other trash, that the paper towel dispenser is full, and that the trash can doesn’t need emptying.
Stalls and Latches
Next, make your way into each stall. Look to see if there is enough toilet paper and that none of the toilets are clogged. Flush each toilet to ensure that the plumbing is functioning normally. In ADA bathroom trailers, it’s especially important to make sure that grab rails are secured to the wall correctly and that the floor is clear and dry. Each door should be able to shut and lock completely.
Don’t Forget a Supply Check and Restock
Before you leave, restock any supplies that may be dwindling. It is vital that you have enough paper products, menstrual supplies, and soap or hand sanitizer so that your guests have everything they need.
Step 3: Checking Tanks
Once you leave the trailer, make your way over to the tanks. Check around them to make sure that no leaks are coming from the plumbing or spilling waste onto the ground. Then, check in with them to see what their levels are looking like. Nothing ruins an event or workday more than an overflowing tank.
If you want to make this process easier, consider buying or renting a restroom trailer paired with our Smarter Restrooms app, which allows you to check in on your tank levels from anywhere.
Keep Your Restroom Trailer Guest-Ready with Simple Maintenance Habits
Regular checks should be performed on your trailer so that you can be sure your guests are greeted by a clean, accessible, and functioning luxury restroom trailer. Inspections and proper trailer maintenance can help ensure that your trailer is in tip-top shape and lasts for years to come. Visual inspections don’t need to take a lot of time, and once you get into the habit of doing them, they will feel like second nature.
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