Loos and Crappers

[catherine]

So we're about ready to close down the VT house. The kids have indicated that they will probably want to come up on a winter weekend. But we have to shut down the plumbing to prevent pipes from freezing. So, personal use water is easy: I can leave behind a few of gallons of water.

But the bigger issue is bathroom water needs. For guys, of course, most needs can be taken care of by a step out onto the back porch. But there are other needs.

I've been thinking of getting an RV or compost toilet of some type. I'll probably be able to get year-round use of it, so it will be worth the investment.

Any recommendations? And, I hate to sound ignorant, but please also let me know how you dispose of waste. I've never camped, so I'm totally clueless.

[ToomuchStuff]

Lake people I know, have talked about some sort of RV antifreeze that is designed to be poured into drains of RV's and cabins, that is flushable.
My only lake visit was my last vacation, and I think I was 12 or 13.

[catherine]

Lake people I know, have talked about some sort of RV antifreeze that is designed to be poured into drains of RV's and cabins, that is flushable.
My only lake visit was my last vacation, and I think I was 12 or 13.

Oh, I'm definitely pouring anti-freeze down my plumbing, via a professional plumber so it's done correctly. That will render my plumbing unusable until the spring.

I'm asking about ways my kids can go to the bathroom without using the plumbing, if they decide to use the house in the winter. I don't want the kids flushing or using the kitchen faucets at all.

[Teacher Terry]

Someone has to dump that toilet when full. We had one at a camp in upstate NY and I consider that men’s work:))

[lmerullo]

Your options really range from little more than a bucket with a lid to a full-out NASA worthy machine.

TT's experience is one of the lower end models, and for one time per season use that might be the way to go. However, you should look into composting toilets - some have a grinder and heat the waste into non- toxic garden compost, all while being scent free! Astonishing progress with waste disposal from the outhouse days!

Also, one could "go" in a five gallon bucket and add enzymes (available at r.v. and camping suppliers) and sawdust. Not sure how to get rid of said waste, though. I doubt you could bag it and set it at the curb for pickup.

[razz]

Is a simple outhouse not an option for that location?

[Teacher Terry]

This was 40 years ago so high tech at the time:))

[Teacher Terry]

You have to pay to dump it. We have to dump our RV waste and the bathroom gets to smell no matter what you do.

[Gardnr]

So we're about ready to close down the VT house. The kids have indicated that they will probably want to come up on a winter weekend. But we have to shut down the plumbing to prevent pipes from freezing. So, personal use water is easy: I can leave behind a few of gallons of water.

But the bigger issue is bathroom water needs. For guys, of course, most needs can be taken care of by a step out onto the back porch. But there are other needs.

I've been thinking of getting an RV or compost toilet of some type. I'll probably be able to get year-round use of it, so it will be worth the investment.

Any recommendations? And, I hate to sound ignorant, but please also let me know how you dispose of waste. I've never camped, so I'm totally clueless.

If you are winterizing in that cold environment, water you leave behind is going to freeze. Honestly, I don't think I would let anyone use a winterized home. There is so much risk for you.

If you're going to let them use it, make them responsible for their water and their waste. Don't let a 1 weekend visit become such a major issue or expense for you.

I've researched composting toilets. Quality will run you $1500 plus. And who knows what happens if it then sits for months unused...........

[Tradd]

Portapotty?

[mschrisgo2]

Honestly, I don't think I would let anyone use a winterized home. There is so much risk for you.

This!

I know 2 families who let grown kids use their winterized vacation homes. Both ended up with huge, very costly repairs.

[Tybee]

I used to see the Sun-Mar composting toilets advertised in Mother Earth News all the time; Cabela's sells them, and there is a really positive review there where you can read the details of installation and how well it worked and how it composts wastes:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Sun-Mar-Composting-Toilet-and-Accessories/713856.uts?productVariantId=1632167&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=50020031&rid=20&ds_rl=1246525&ds_rl=1246528&ds_rl=1247879&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=CjwKCAjwvNXeBRAjEiwAjqYhFjNiEZz7MsJrqvkdSUTL mxCELwoUGnKEFlynemF05gPpzayJd44k4hoCMpgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#tabsCollection

[catherine]

If you are winterizing in that cold environment, water you leave behind is going to freeze. Honestly, I don't think I would let anyone use a winterized home. There is so much risk for you.

If you're going to let them use it, make them responsible for their water and their waste. Don't let a 1 weekend visit become such a major issue or expense for you.



Yes, I am definitely making them use their own water and take care of their own "business" without using our plumbing. That's not the issue. The issue is which way to go.

lmerullo, the compost toilet sounds great. Seems that it's expensive, though. At the same time, I'm planning on installing an enclosed outdoor shower next year--I could consider putting a compost toilet in that enclosure. Might be an interesting and cheap way to add a bathroom.

razz--interesting that you say that. We have a space of about 3 ft wide between two sheds--there is already a wood floor. I did think about simply installing a door between the two sheds and putting the compost/rv toilet there. We could also easily connect the two shed roofs to make a fully enclosed space.

Tradd, since there is a portapotty 1.6 miles away at the local gas station/market, I''m thinking that's the best way to go--literally. :)

[iris lilies]

I dont see how a composting toilet could work in freezing weather. I know nothing about those things, but principles of composting, ( I assume it freezes solid in this harsh winter climate) preclude it being successful.

As far as allowing kids to use the winterized cabin, all it takes is one little hand from a curious grandchild to flush a toilet, and winterizing is undone.

edited to add:
I read up on the Incinerator composting toilet amd see that it operates with electricity, cooking the contents. “Composting” is a reach in terminology, but I suppose it is compsting in process, just not naturally.

[herbgeek]

My brother (across the lake from you in Milton) has an incinolet at the camp. Only downside is that it takes like 90 minutes of operation per cycle. When you have a bunch of coffee or beer drinkers using it, the thing is always on.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

Without investing in buying a port-o-potty you could rent one just for that weekend. My friend who has an RV, had a family reunion in August and with so many people there she opted to rent a port-o-potty just for the time needed. They bring, set it up and pick it up when you are finished. An option for you maybe.

[Gardnr]

[QUOTE=catherine;312970]Yes, I am definitely making them use their own water and take care of their own "business" without using our plumbing. That's not the issue. The issue is which way to go./QUOTE]

Ah but you're not. You intend to provide what they need. I still think it's a huge risk to let someone use a winterized home. And the cost and disaster will all be yours.

Better you than me. We do not "loan" our cabin out. We do not want to deal with damages caused by others that we then are pissed off about. Relationships are more important to us than helping someone save a hotel room. They can stay with us when we're present. That's it.

[Teacher Terry]

G, you don’t have kids. These are her kids. I would buy a small portal potty like we had in the dark ages and have one of the men in charge of dumping it.

[Gardnr]

G, you don’t have kids. These are her kids. I would buy a small portal potty like we had in the dark ages and have one of the men in charge of dumping it.

True. I don't have children therefore I don't understand what it is to have a 2nd home to be worried about when empty or in use by others. Our neighbor at the cabin always let his kids use his cabin. He went up the day after they left every time to do repairs because they always wrecked/broke things. He lamented that he ever started letting them use it. He finally gave up and sold it. Enough he said.

And I will say I get so tired of the bullshit "you don't have kids so you don't get it line". I have heard it incessantly over the decades. The funny thing is, it still raises my hackles and pisses me off. Wonder why I can't get used to being so stupid>:(

[Teacher Terry]

We have a RV that we let our kids use. We have 5 boys between us. We have never had a problem. Your response is so over the top that maybe you wanted kids and aren’t kid free by choice. Many of us would let our kids use our property. Friends not so much.

[catherine]

[QUOTE=catherine;312970]Yes, I am definitely making them use their own water and take care of their own "business" without using our plumbing. That's not the issue. The issue is which way to go./QUOTE]

Ah but you're not. You intend to provide what they need. I still think it's a huge risk to let someone use a winterized home. And the cost and disaster will all be yours.

Better you than me. We do not "loan" our cabin out. We do not want to deal with damages caused by others that we then are pissed off about. Relationships are more important to us than helping someone save a hotel room. They can stay with us when we're present. That's it.

I consider my children to be responsible adults. They're in their 30s, and they work and have their own homes/apartments. if I left them a short list of reminders for when they came up here for an overnight, I would not be concerned at all. Now I do have some members of my family I would say no to, but my kids have shared a lot of time with us up here so far, and if by chance they came up for an overnight, I wouldn't deny them it. It's not a big deal to me as long as they don't crap in the crapper.

[Tammy]

My kids would probably do the repairs that were still outstanding while visiting in the winter. I trust them more than I trust myself with that sort of thing. It depends on the kids.

[Tybee]

If the kids who want to visit are handy, they might be able to build a simple composting toilet which would reside in the space you describe next to the shed, which seems to be enclosed:

https://farmingmybackyard.com/diy-composting-toilet/

[Float On]

We have a RV portable toilet in the cabin at the farm and it's been in use for 4 years now. It's held up very well. Plug it in and it has electric flush. When close to full a warning light comes on. It seals up - dad hauls it to the local RV camp and pays to dump it. Very clean. No smell if right chemicals are used. Ect. We've been so happy with it he still hasn't run a septic line to cabin since no one is living in it full time. It has overnight guests probably 150+ nights a year and he and mom are down there almost daily for coffee in the morning on the porch or a fire in the evening. So I know that toilet is used a lot.

[Rogar]

I googled “camping toilet” and there were quite a few types and prices. Some of the National Parks require people using the backcountry to haul out human waste. I think some of the choices backpackers use are little more than modern thunder mugs, but they are simple and cheap.

[razz]

OK, Cath, here is the scoop on the latest inventions on the market through NPR. Imagine if every home could manage its own waste and generate energy.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/11/09/666150842/why-did-bill-gates-give-a-talk-with-a-jar-of-human-poop-by-his-side

[catherine]

OK, Cath, here is the scoop on the latest inventions on the market through NPR. Imagine if every home could manage its own waste and generate energy.
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/11/09/666150842/why-did-bill-gates-give-a-talk-with-a-jar-of-human-poop-by-his-side

haha, that's great! Bill's always thinking--this time it's "stinking thinking" but in a good way :)