Budget Shipping Containers.co.uk

Shipping Containers require very little in the way of on-going maintenance, but in this guide we detail some of the basic hints and tips to help maintain your shipping container in a good condition for as long as possible. In this guide we give you some very basic shipping container maintenance tips to help you get the best lifespan out of your container. There are a few simple pointers here to keep your container looking and performing at its best, a few minutes attention every few months can help squeeze years more useful life out of any container.

In this guide we detail some of the basic shipping container maintenance tips for the average customer using their container for storage use, after the initial delivery and setup is completed.

Before any shipping container maintenance is undertaken, its important to have the container positioned and correctly supported – please refer to our guide on how to place a shipping container on your site for storage use if you are unfamiliar how to set up the container for best use and life. In very basic terms we recommend to keep the container raised slightly off the ground and supported on its 4 base corners. This will ensure the underside stays as dry as possible and lasts as long as it can, and keep the container level to ensure the doors work at their best.

Shipping Container General Use

Take care on the roof. The roof of a shipping container is not designed to carry weight as it is the corner posts provide the strength to stack containers on top of each other. Even the weight of a person walking on the roof can be enough to flex it and lead to damage. Note: avoid walking on container roofs. They are as slippery as ice when wet or damp, and very dangerous if you are unprepared.

Storage of empty pallets and similar on the container roof may help get them out of the way. But this will help to hold water against the metal surface for longer after rainfall which can help the shipping container roof rust away faster. This can also help scratch away the paint layer which is your first line of defence against rusting away. Similar will apply if you have items leaning up against the outside of your shipping container.

Repainting your container can help smarten up your container, but at the same time it can help add a few years more life by giving a new protective layer for the metal from the elements. If you have purchased a container that comes with a small indent in the roof it can help lifespan if you’re able to pop this out, but as long as the shipping container roof can dry out between wet spells this will last a very long time regardless.

Container Door and Hinge Maintenance

Doors and hinges are the only real moving parts of the container and will be subject to wear over time. We recommend greasing or oiling the door hinges periodically for best free movement.

The door seals generally are very hard-wearing but may start to go brittle and crack when reaching the end of their life. If your seals are starting to fail you will need to get these replaced. The most common problem we see with doors is becoming stiff/jamming due to containers not being on level ground. Over time, particularly on soft surfaces, a container can settle, which could mean that it is no longer level and the doors start to get stiff or jam. If this is the case you will need to re-level your shipping container.

Do check the door hinges and gaskets. after some years of regular use, door gaskets will degrade which can also make a door almost unworkable. All door gaskets are checked in our yard before the sale but it’s an issue to watch carefully if buying your own used container privately.

Keep your Shipping Container Dry

If water is allowed to collect on the roof of the container this can lead to rust, metal thinning, and moisture intrusion into the container. A roof in good condition should allow water to run off, but any dents or damage may mean water collects on the top.

Always have damage to the roof repaired if the container is stored in an exposed location. Try to keep the inside as dry as possible too, consider using desiccants or a dehumidifier, particularly if the contents are moisture sensitive. If your shipping container has doors or windows in addition to cargo doors check the seal on these occasionally, replacing caulk and weather stripping as required. Keeping water out is probably the most important aspect of shipping container maintenance.

It is important to note, that if the goods you are loading into the container are wet, then you are carrying this moisture into the shipping container. Try to only load your container in the dry where possible, or if you’ve had to load the container when wet, consider venting the container on the next dry sunny day (keeping the doors open to allow the air to circulate). Without removal, this moisture may lead to mould and mildew and may damage your goods.

In basic terms, if you carry water in, it can’t get out. All goods are likely to have a moisture content as well that may need to be considered.

Container Annual Inspection

Inspect the general condition of the shipping container annually at least, not forgetting the roof. Clean off any debris using water and a brush. If there are any dents, scratches or rust spots consider repairs if needed. Touch-up paint as required – Hammerite will work well if you don’t have access to marine grade paints or other quality metal / outdoor use paints. Remove any loose paintwork and clean any areas before adding a new paint layer but don’t worry about removing every last bit of rust.

Shipping containers are made from Corten Steel which, when rusting, still forms a waterproof layer protecting the metal beneath. Cosmetically you may want to remove rust to improve the look of your container, and of course, fresh paint does offer an extra level of protection, but removing this rust layer won’t significantly affect lifespan positively or negatively. We consider it a cosmetic improvement only. When a scratch is found, a quick rubdown and touch-up with some paint may help prevent an unsightly rust patch from forming.

At Budget Shipping Containers we are always very happy to answer any questions you may have about shipping container maintenance so please feel free to pick up the phone or send in an email. We can offer advice on Shipping Container Maintenance as well as supplying new door seals or other parts as required.

Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.

If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).