Tips for Maintaining Your Shipping Container
Designed to safely hold their contents during long journeys across the world, shipping containers are renowned for their durability and ability to endure harsh and unpredictable environments. Made from Corten steel, shipping containers can last for years on end, but to keep them looking their best and successfully completing their job, they take regular maintenance.
To keep your shipping container in good shape, follow these simple maintenance tips:
Clean off dirt and rust
Whether you have just purchased a new shipping container or have been using it for years, the cleaning process to remove dirt and rust should be the same. Start by using a cleaning agent of bleach and a strong broom to scrub away any signs of rust or dirt, and finish with a hose. You may require a high-pressure hose depending on the amount of corrosion, but for the most part the action of scrubbing and watering down can do the trick. It is always easier to clean a shipping container from back to front and inside out and remember to wear protective gear to ensure your own safety.
Take care of the doors
The rubber seals on the doors aid in keeping moisture out of the shipping container, and while they usually have a long lifespan of 10 years, it’s important to replace them if they become worn out. In conjunction, if you have not used the doors in a while the hinges may need lubrication. After being inactive, the hinges can seize and be extremely difficult to wedge open. Keep on top of this by applying grease on a regular basis to ensure the doors work smoothly.
Level your foundation
The ground below your shipping container plays an essential role in warding off corrosion. When you place your container on uneven ground puddles of water can form under and around it, this is bad for your shipping container and will cause corrosion, the ground also not being level can make it tricky to open and close the container doors. Instead, to increase the longevity of the container, place it on railroad sleepers or concrete blocks to help create an even setting. The further off the ground the shipping container is, the less chance of moisture getting inside, a good airflow under the container is recommended.
Remove weight from the roof
The corners of shipping containers are extremely strong, after all they usually carry multiple fully loaded containers on top of them, but the middle of the container roof is not as durable. To avoid the roof deteriorating or sagging, keep items away from the centre of the roof and remove any debris that falls onto it.
Learn more maintenance tips from the experts at South West Containers and enquire about our extensive range of shipping containers for sale and hire.