Do you want to know “what is a vault toilet” and what are the interesting facts related to it? Vault toilets are designed for remote areas where there is a shortage of water such as parks and campgrounds. This is the reason it is also known as camping toilets. It is non-flush and waterless toilets that keep collecting all the waste in an underground tank or vault. Composting toilets, Pit toilets, bag toilets, and port-a-potties are also running in the form of waterless toilets.
It covers many advantages, for instance, it doesn’t require plumbing, and helps in cleaning the environment because they don’t take any energy to use. For a good understanding of it, keep reading to learn more.
What is A Vault Toilet: How Does A Vault Toilet Work?
A vault toilet is a type of dry composting toilet that does not require water for flushing. They are common in areas where there is no running water, or it would be too expensive to install plumbing. Instead of flushing with water, this type of toilets use a large tank, or “vault”, beneath the toilet to compost the waste.
The tank is usually made of concrete, plastic, or fiberglass, and has a tight-fitting lid to keep out animals and weather. There are vents installed in the tank to allow air circulation and prevent odors. It also have an overhead tank that stores fresh water for handwashing.
It works by using a large tank, called a vault, to hold the waste. When you flush the toilet, the waste goes into the vault. It can be flushed with either water or air. There are two types of vault toilets: waterless and wet-flush. Waterless toilets have a sealed tank that doesn’t require water to operate. Wet-flush toilets have a tank that requires water to operate. Both types of toilets use chemicals to break down waste.
Vault toilets are usually located in areas where there is no running water or sewer system. They are often used in parks and campgrounds. It consist of two main parts: the bowl and the vault. The bowl is what you sit on to use the toilet. The vault is a large tank that holds the waste. When you flush the toilet, the waste goes into the vault. Vault toilets can be flushed with either water or air.
How to Remove Waste from Vault Toilets
The first step is to put on gloves and a mask. This will protect you from coming into contact with any harmful bacteria or sewage. Next, locate the waste container. It is usually a large drum that is located next to the toilet. If there is more than one toilet in the vault, there may be multiple drums. Once you have found the waste container, open it up and begin scooping out the waste with a shovel. Be sure to dispose of the waste in a safe manner, such as in a designated dumpster or pit.
Once you have removed all of the waste from the container, it is time to clean it out. The best way to do this is to hose it down with a high-pressure hose. If you do not have access to a hose, you can also clean it out with buckets of water. Once you have finished cleaning out the container, close it up and make sure it is properly secured.
Where Can the Vault Toilet Be Used?
We all know what a vault toilet is, right? But did you know that the vault toilet can actually be used for more than just taking care of business? That’s right! With a little creativity, the lowly toilet can be repurposed for a variety of different uses. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
1. Converted Shed
Tired of your cramped, cluttered shed? If you’ve got an old vault toilet taking up space in your backyard, why not put it to good use and convert it into a shed? With a little TLC, you can turn that drab porta-potty into a chic garden shed where you can store your gardening tools, potting soil, and lawn mower. You could even add some shelving and use it as a place to keep your holiday decorations. The possibilities are endless!
2. Outdoor Shower
Don’t have an outdoor shower? No problem! If you’ve got a vault toilet and access to a water hose, then you’ve got everything you need to create your very own outdoor shower. Just set up the toilet near your water source, add some privacy screening, and voila! Instant shower. Perfect for rinsing off after a swim in the pool or washing the dog on a hot summer day.
3. Party Bathroom
Planning a party but don’t have enough bathrooms for all your guests? No worries! A vault toilet can easily be transformed into a party bathroom with just a little bit of elbow grease (and some air freshener). Just give the inside of the toilet a good cleaning and spruce up the outside with some festive party decorations. Your guests will never even know that they’re using a porta-potty!
4. Emergency Preparedness
In the event of an emergency power outage or natural disaster, a vault toilet can come in handy as an emergency holding tank for sewage. By connecting your home’s sewer line to the vault toilet, you can create an emergency backup system that will keep your family’s waste from backing up into your home—and trust us, you’ll be glad you did when (not if) the power goes out and toilets start overflowing all over town!
Advantages of Vault Toilets
Water Conservation
Greatly price effective as these vault toilets do need flowing water to work. It is the biggest reason for favoring flushing toilets in most places nowadays.
Add Other Facilities
You can set many different features too that don’t generally come with vault toilets. For instance, adjusting lighting, sanitizer machines, and fans to the toilet will increase usage.
Provide Facility
A vault toilet is easy to search for in the park, campground, or at any location for work. This means you don’t have to go to a toilet away from your place or event.
Simple to Maintain and Cost-Efficient
- A vault toilet can be built with the basics of materials and knowledge used in other projects, so it will be of lesser time and lower cost to construct. They don’t have water bills as it is a waterless toilet.
- As far as maintenance is concerned, clean it with water frequently and keep the waste off regularly.
Greatly Movable
Use them several times as plastic vault toilets can be washed and shifted to other places. They are easily accessible for any occasion and in a public environment when they are transportable.
Good Privacy
Only a single person can enter the toilets at a single time because they are made for one-person units. Through this, they maintain enough privacy for a person. They also have enough space for changing clothes and other work that you might not be able to do in a public place.
Disadvantages of Vault Toilets
After knowing “what is a vault toilet” and its beneficial functions now it’s time to know about its cons. There are also some drawbacks too with vault toilets, so we can not say it is completely perfect. Here are the following cons:
Need of Heat
The process of air-removing odors can’t be effective when the vent isn’t hot. This can happen because of crowds, rain, cloudy weather, and shade falling from buildings and big trees.
Failing of Ventilation System
There are some conditions in which the toilet ventilation mode does not work properly. The air surrounding the vault toilet will be covered with odors.
Cleaning Procedure Frequently
Keeping the toilets clean is a priority because these types of toilets don’t use water flow to flush.
This can not be simple because parks, campgrounds, and other sites generally don’t have much water required, which makes these toilets very difficult to use. The water is not as much as what will be needed to flush the vault toilet.
Difficult Waste Operation
- When there’s a huge number of people, toilets are not simple to manage as they speedily fill up. It is tough to get them untangled without taking them apart.
- This process can be expensive.
- The waste can be unrevealed sometimes by the riser.
Not All Vault Toilets Are Portable
The plastic type of vault toilets is the most adjustable as they are simple to wash up and move to other places. The different types of vault toilets are not like that.
Can You Put Toilet Paper in a Vault Toilet?
The only things that should go into a vault toilet are human waste and toilet paper. That’s it. Nothing else should go into the vault, including but not limited to:
- wipes
- sanitary pads and tampons
- paper towels
- diapers
Putting anything else into the vault toilet will clog the system and cause major problems. In some cases, it might even require the entire system to be replaced, which is not only expensive but also time-consuming. So, when using a vault toilet, only put human waste and toilet paper into the system.
What You Cannot Put in a Vault Toilet
In addition to everything that’s already been mentioned, there are some other things you should never put into a vault toilet. These include:
- cleaning chemicals like bleach
- paint
- gasoline
- motor oil
Disposal of these items in a vault toilet can result in explosion, poisoning, or fire. So please use common sense and dispose of these items properly.
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Conclusion
A vault toilet is a great option for your next outdoor event or project. They are portable, easy to use and maintain, and can help keep the area free of bad smells. Make sure you choose the right one for your needs and be prepared for some light assembly upon arrival. With a little bit of preparation and planning, a it can make your next outdoor gathering a success!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1- What is a vault Toilet Camping?
It is a self-contained unit that consists of a watertight vault that is buried in the ground. This types of toilet has a seat and a lid that is connected to the vault. It is placed over the hole in the ground and when someone wants to use the toilet, they sit on the seat and lift the lid. The waste goes into the hole in the ground and is then contained in the vault.
Q.2- How does the toilet pit work?
The pit toilet works by using a hole in the ground that is lined with a bag or container. When you need to use the toilet, you simply do your business in the bag or container. Once you’re finished, you can either bury the waste in the hole or remove it and dispose of it properly.
Q.3- What is the difference between a vault toilet and a pit toilet?
A pit toilet is a type of toilet that does not have a watertight seal around it. This means that there is nothing preventing water from seeping into the hole and contaminating the waste. Pit toilets are not as common as they once were because they can be unsanitary. The Vault toilet are more common because they provide a better seal and are more sanitary.