One of the benefits of shipping containers is their longevity – after their initial purchase, they can last for years either shipping or storing goods. It is important, however, that you maintain your shipping containers properly if you want to get the most from them.
Despite initial treatments to protect from the elements during their construction, over time shipping containers are vulnerable to rust and other damage. Our tips below will help make sure you protect your containers to keep them solid and secure for their entire lifespan.
1. Inspect Your Containers Regularly
The best way to make sure you are on top of your shipping container maintenance is to have eyes on your containers regularly. Schedule regular checks to inspect for the following faults on your containers:
- Dents
- Rust
- Holes
- Excessive condensation
- Peeling paint
- Warping flooring
If you make these checks often enough you will have early warning of any potential problems, allowing you to remedy them before they cause serious damage to your containers and stock.
2. Ensure your container is properly situated
Improper conditions for housing and storing your containers can substantially speed up their decline. Ensure your unit is kept on a flat surface to keep it stable. A flat surface will also prevent water from pooling underneath the container, which can contribute to rust and floor deterioration, and ensure that you can fully open any doors. Concrete slabs or railway sleepers make great bases to house your containers on.
In addition, anchoring your containers can help preserve them by preventing unnecessary movement and wear and tear. You can do this by using either specialist ground plates with twist locks, or steel plates and concrete pads. The latter involves welding steel plates to the container so twist locks may be a better solution if you are likely to be moving stock on a regular basis. When anchoring containers, always ensure you consult a qualified engineer to determine the appropriate anchoring system for your situation.
3. Pay attention to your container’s roof
If you are stacking your containers, be sure to distribute weight properly. Containers are designed to bear weight in their corners, meaning the centre of their roof is weaker. Keep an eye on the roof of stacked containers to make sure there are no signs of bowing which can indicate too much pressure is being put on them.
On unstacked containers, it is still important to check your roof, particularly after heavy rain or snow, which can create a build-up of weight.
4. Clean your containers regularly
A regular cleaning schedule can help ensure that minor issues don’t become major problems. Use regular cleaning as a way to remove dirt and water from your shipping containers. This will help prevent rust and mould owing to water and condensation build-up and helps to prevent pests that can attack stock and containers themselves if left untreated.
5. Take steps to prevent rust
Excess water in and around your container can create rust which will weaken its structure over time. In addition to the tips above there are more solid steps you can take to limit rust on your container. Look at the installation of moisture traps and anti-condensation coating to help eliminate the cause of rust, and make sure you regularly check any vents on your container to see if they are clear and in working order.
6. Maintain Your Container’s Doors
Shipping containers in their simplest form only have one moving part – the doors. Even if you have customised yours, you will need to make sure that you look after your door hinges by keeping them clean, grit-free, and well-lubricated. You can use a lubricating spray to keep your doors swinging as they’re designed to.
7. Regularly Conduct Repairs
If in the course of any of the work above you find any issues with your containers it is important to get them sorted straight away. The longer you wait, the worse the problem will get, potentially exposing both your container and any goods stored within it to substantial damage. Make sure you are ready to address holes, dents, damaged flooring and panels to keep your containers going for their maximum possible life span.
Remember, when it comes to container maintenance, prevention is better than cure. Staying on top of your maintenance tasks will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you have any questions regarding maintenance equipment, or if it feels like time to replace your current container stock, please get in touch with the S Jones team for assistance!
