Can the Pi-Pi urinal stay outdoors over winter?

Yes, the Pi-Pi urinal can be left on the wall all winter, even in an unheated cabin: the material does not crack in frost down to −40 °C and remains flexible and impact-resistant. You do not need to remove the urinal itself. Only prepare what is connected to it: drain the container and remove the hose so that no liquid remains in the system.

Why the plastic is frost-resistant

The body is made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) using rotational molding. This is a flexible material: it absorbs impact and does not crack in the cold like rigid plastic. All models, Standard, Standard Plus, and Standard Corner, are made from the same material. The operating range is −40 … +60 °C, more about temperatures in the answer what range the urinal withstands, and about comparison with other plastics in the answer LLDPE or PP.

The urinal has no tank or flush, so there is no water inside the product that could freeze. Liquid can only remain in the hose and container, and it is these that should be prepared for winter.

Winter preparation

1. Empty the container and rinse it. How to do this is described in the answer how often to empty the container.
2. Remove the hose from the stepped fitting and drain any remaining liquid from it.
3. Wipe the urinal with a mild cleaner and rinse the filter screen.
4. Leave the urinal on the wall: empty, it winters calmly.
5. Store the container and hose empty and dry.

If using in winter

The urinal remains operational in frost, but the liquid in the hose and container may freeze. To prevent this, lay the hose with a constant downward slope and without sags where liquid could accumulate. Empty the container before it fills up, and in severe cold, do not leave it full. If the urinal is rarely used in winter, it is easier to prepare it as described above and return the hose and container to place before the next visit.

Unheated cabin and open air

An unheated garden cabin, garage, or utility building is a common place for the Pi-Pi urinal, and winter is not a problem for the product itself. The same preparation rules apply outdoors. Before the season, check the mounting: the fasteners should be suitable for the wall material.

The waterless sink made of the same material winters the same way: drain the water from the bowl, hose, and used water container, and leave the sink on the wall. You can choose a sink in the catalog.

Spring start-up

1. Inspect the urinal and mounting, make sure nothing is loose.
2. Rinse the filter screen and outlet.
3. Connect the hose to the fitting and place an empty container.
4. Run a little water to ensure the liquid drains freely and the hose does not sag.

If you notice a crack or deformation after winter, first contact for warranty: details in the answer can the urinal be repaired.

Before the first frost: three questions

• Is the container empty and the hose drained?
• Does the hose run downhill with no sags?
• Is the urinal itself still firmly on its wall? It stays there all winter.

Three times yes, and the shed or cabin can be left until spring.