Proper upkeep is needed to insure your container will last for years to come

Regular upkeep on your container will ensure a long safe and secure. It is important to inspect your container overtime. Below are some recommendations on what to look for and some tips to check off your inspection list. If you have any questions or need help please feel free to contact us for more information.

Examine your container

If you start to notice any scrapes or chips on the unit, it is suggested to apply a nice fresh touch of paint. If you are not sure of what color code to look for, reach out to one of our knowledgeable staff members who can assist you. Paint is a great way to protect steel from exposure to water, air and UV. Paint is not only for cosmetic purpose it will also preserve the life of your container which is made of steel. Anytime you see the paint wearing thin, scraped or cracked you must apply a fresh coat of paint.

Check your hinges

Many times the containers moving parts are left uninspected or left unused for a long period of time. This may cause rust build up and difficulty in operating the doors and locks. Make sure to keep these areas clean and well lubricated. The locking bars are also another important part to keep well greased up. Some great products to use would be WD-40, grease, and Armor-All to help keep your container operating as it should . The key is to make sure to test out doors and hinges regularly. You may also need to replace the rubber seels on your cargo door one day. If you need help with your seals pease reach out to us and we can help get you a new container seel

Humitity inside your container

Be sure that you are not loading any wet materials into your unit as this can cause condensation and mold and when set on the wood floor can cause the wood to rot and or ongoing wetness that will never escape from your container. Make sure whatever you put inside your container is dry prior to loading. Also the amount of use during rainy days should be kept minimal to none; there is a much higher risk of humidity entering and becoming trapped. Dirt and dust build up is normal and should be swept up as part of your quarterly check.

Roof Dents

Most all used containers will end up having dents on the side or the roof. During the examination, it is good to locate the dents on the roof to ensure that there is no sitting water as this will cause rust and corrosion. If you do have dents in the roof of the container we would suggest filling these dents with roof sealer or tar this will not allow water to collect in the dent and rust through the steel roof over time.

If you start to notice any little light specs coming through, a patch can be applied. Patches are a quick and long lasting repair that cures solid in UV light and is rust bondable and waterproof. We have these available to send just ask your sales rep.

Leveling A-Z

Make sure your container is on a level surface when delivered. This will help your container doors operate correctly when loaded. Also keep in mind the weight that you are loading as this can make your container lean one way or the other which will cause the doors to not line up properly. Keep in mind some used containers are torqed and racked overtime and somtimes level is not the answer. You may need to shim the container like a table in order to level the door and allow for easy opening

Location

Where your container lives is a huge part of the longevity of your shipping or storage container. If you place it on a permanant or recurring wet surfact it will rust from the ground up over time. Make sure your location is dry and in a location where water will not collect on against the side or below the container

How to care for your shipping container

Your container will last much longer if you follow these steps