Tips to Prepare and Maintain a Shipping Container Site

If you want your sea containers to stay in good shape as the years roll by, location prepping and a simple maintenance routine are essential.

Being leading providers of shipping containers in Perth means we’ve seen the wear and tear unstable environments and neglect can cause.

At True Blue Containers, we know site prep matters, as does taking steps over time that contribute to keeping containers in good condition.

PREPARATION

Usability

When evaluating an available space as a sea container site, factor in usage needs. Ensure the container can be employed safely and easily once placed.

Is the container for transport, or remaining stationary? Will the doors open? Confirm the site offers necessary clearance space around the doors.

Depending on the container, delivery may require a tilt tray, side loader or HIAB truck. Make sure any necessary ongoing transport and access will be viable at the selected site.

Location

Clear away grass, dead vegetation, and mulch before placing a container. All have the potential to interfere with a level surface over time.

Check soil set to be sitting below and around the container, noting compaction and any drainage issues. You may want to stabilise the area prior to delivery.

If possible, avoid container delivery during or immediately following heavy rain, especially if placing the container on the ground, as it risks sinking into wet earth.

Take note of the environment. You may want to trim back tree branches prior to delivery if they fill the space where the container will sit.

Base

Is the site now level and firm? Placing the container onto uneven or unstable surfaces risks future problems such as doors misaligning.

Rather than putting directly on the ground, consider the option of footings or slabs. Common ways to elevate your container include:

• Wooden beams

A popular choice, budget-friendly and easy to access. A gravel bed below the beams helps keep them dry, minimising potential for premature rotting.

• Poured concrete footings

Concrete at each corner prior to delivery creates level footage and protects from poor drainage. Foam is recommended between concrete and container base.

• Concrete slabs

The even solid surface a concrete slab offers is popular for converted shipping containers remaining stationary, often as housing or a place of business.

Protection

Extreme weather can increase wear over the years. Shade in summer and a cover in winter is helpful, especially if the container is not in use for months at a time.

Interior needs

We recommend addressing alterations, from shelving to ventilation, before the container is off-site. Our professionals can offer a quote for requested modifications.

Professional opinion

The team at True Blue Containers has a stellar industry reputation, and can answer any questions you have about container placement.

Providing details around ground surface, levelling preferences, and drainage as well as site photos allows us to make informed suggestions.

For example, talk to us if a nearby tree root system is a concern for long-term placements. We can suggest the type of base best suited.

MAINTENANCE

Cleaning 

Schedule a clean every few weeks or months, depending on the environment. Everything from dirt to salt and chemical residue can have an impact.

Remove grass or weed’s in the container’s vicinity, especially during peak growing periods like spring. Thick brush may prove a problem for doors and hinges.

Don’t forget about the roof. If tree leaves and broken branches accumulate, insects and small animals will be tempted to move in, increasing the risk of follow-on damage.

Keep an eye out for water pooling on the roof, especially towards corners. This can be a sign of sloping, meaning level ground has shifted or structural issues have developed. 

Hinges

Keep hinges greased year-round even when the container is not in use. Clean regularly and deal with any rust. Be aware changes to site level can interfere with hinge function.

Interior sweep

Container maintenance should include a basic interior sweep. First, stand inside the container with the door closed. Any light leaks that have developed will show.

Confirm the floor is sturdy, and check for signs of stains that may indicate issues with site drainage. Scan walls and roof for indications of rust and corrosion, or structural changes. 

Look for signs of pests. Take note of smells implying mould has set in. The culprit may be a leak, or previous cargo that spilled. Pinpoint the source, and clean or repair.

Examine for indicators window and door seals may be compromised. Keep in mind unlevel ground can alter where the pressure hits, wearing down seals sooner rather than later.

Rust control

Pooling water on-site increases risk of rust. Clean the surface, then remove rust with a wire brush and apply product designed to mitigate the rusting process.

Follow up by priming the area before repainting, preferably using a specialised paint designed for containers. Make sure to apply more than one layer. 

Level check

Note any changes to soil height and slope. Loss of level ground over time may pose a problem not just to door function but to the container’s structural integrity.

Poor door performance can be a sign alignment has been affected by an unbalanced base. Talk to our team about ways to compensate for the change.

Additional steps

If your container is refrigerated, increasingly unlevel ground can impact performance. Contact us to discuss servicing by a qualified technician. 

Site problems impacting structure can have the run-on effect of interfering with vent performance. Clean and check ever 1-3 months if possible.

For electrical issues with modified containers, do not hesitate to call an electrician. Refrain from using systems till the problem is addressed.

The benefits of an experienced shipping container supplier

Whatever the industry or vision, whether transporting, storing or converting to accommodation, our experts can help you find the right size and type of container.

We have shipping containers for sale and hire, new and used. Our friendly team has decades of combined experience offering transport and storage solutions.

If you have queries, we’re ready to assist and available to talk today.