Setting Porta Potties in Lubbock Wind and Dust
Lubbock is one of the windiest cities in the country. Here's how we keep units upright, and what you should and shouldn't do on site.
How windy does Lubbock get?
Lubbock averages about 12.4 mph wind and ranks among the windiest U.S. cities. April is the windiest month, and March and April are peak dust season. A 2023 dust storm brought gusts up to 77 mph and 14 hours of blowing dust, the strongest since 2012. A February 2023 event hit 69 mph.
Sources: KFYO / The Weather Channel · Texas Tech Today · Texas Tribune.
How do you keep a unit from blowing over?
We keep units upright four ways: stakes driven at the corners or straps to a fixed point on every open lot, doors turned away from the prevailing south wind, units set beside a building or fence line where possible, and a full holding tank adding weight as the job goes on. A staked unit stays put in normal South Plains gusts.
- Stake or strap every unit on open lots, fields and new builds.
- Face doors north or east, away from the south wind.
- Use a fence, wall or building as a windbreak when there's one.
- Keep units off playa low spots and soft caliche after rain.
- Never remove stakes or straps. Text us if a unit needs to move.
What about blowing dust?
Blowing dust coats the outside of a unit but rarely gets into the tank, since the only opening is the roof vent. After a dust day, the regular service wipes down the inside and out. For events, doors face away from the wind so dust doesn't blow in each time someone opens them.
Written by the Scott Rental Works dispatch team: the people who schedule, deliver, service and pick up our units from 2201 34th St in Lubbock.
We checked these facts against OSHA, the International Plumbing Code, the 2010 ADA Standards, PSAI guidance, manufacturer spec sheets, NWS Lubbock climate normals and City of Lubbock pages. Last reviewed .
Related questions
Every question below was asked on a real rental call. The short answer comes first, then the conditions that change it.
Will the wind blow it over?
Not when it's set right. Lubbock averages about 12.4 mph wind, and spring gusts and dust storms can top 60 mph, so we stake or strap units on open lots and face doors away from the south wind. Never untie a staked unit to move it.
What about dust storms?
Units are sealed except for the roof vent, so dust settles on the outside, not in the tank. After a blowing-dust day, a regular service wipes them down. For events, we turn doors away from the wind so dust doesn't blow in when people open them.
Can I move it after you drop it?
Please don't. Full units tip, leak and crack, and staked units can pull loose. Text us a photo of the new spot and the driver will reposition it on the next visit. For film crews we can leave a trailer hitch unlocked by agreement.
Where's the best spot for it?
The best spot is level and firm, within about 10 feet of where our truck can park. Keep it 20 feet or more from food, downwind of seating, and in afternoon shade in summer. On new-build lots, keep it clear of the slab, the dumpster and material drops.
Is there anywhere you won't set a unit?
We won't set a unit in low spots that turn into playa water after a storm, under power lines, on septic lids, or in front of an alley trash cart. Lubbock has roughly one playa per square mile inside city limits, and streets carry runoff for 30–40 minutes after a rain.
Get an itemized quote
Six fields. You get one line each for the unit, dates, delivery, pickup, servicing and fees. If we can't hit your date, we'll tell you on the first call so you aren't left waiting for a callback.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before drop-off
- Weather call? We move your date, no charge
- Delivered pumped, sanitized and stocked