Shipping Container Maintenance

If you’ve recently purchased a shipping container, you’re probably hoping it will last you a good number of years. And while it’s true that shipping containers are known for being long lasting and durable, that doesn’t mean they will last forever. All containers will need maintenance and, likely, repairs at some point. As with anything else, it’s best to be proactive when it comes to maintenance and take care of any small issues before they become a larger problem.

Here, we’ll share some maintenance tips that can help you extend the life of your shipping container.

Regular Inspection

The most important tip for maintaining your shipping container is performing regular inspections of the unit. For new, one-trip containers, once a year should be fine. For older containers, we advise checking them at least twice per year. During your inspection, you’ll want to check out every part of the container including the floors, walls, roof, and doors. Two of the most common maintenance issues in shipping containers are wear and tear in the flooring and breakdown of the door seals. Fortunately, both can be easily repaired (which we’ll get to in our next blog post).

Rust Prevention

Because shipping containers are made of steel, they are prone to rusting, so unfortunately, it’s not a matter of if, but when this will become an issue. Wet or humid environments will lead to rusting more quickly. However, you can combat rust by painting your container.

Before painting your container, it’s best to wash it with a power washer to get all dirt, debris, and oil off of it. Once the container is dry, you can use a roller or sprayer to apply the paint. It’s advisable to paint the roof as well, as this is often the first place to rust. We recommend using alkyd enamel paint which should last about ten years.  For containers that are moved around on a regular basis or if you live in a wet or humid environment, more frequent painting may be needed.

Roof Care

As noted above, the roof of a shipping container is the most likely area to rust. This is because moisture often gets trapped on the roof due to it’s flat surface. One of the best ways to protect your container’s roof is to apply mobile home roofing tar or a similar waterproofing product. These types of products can help to seal and protect the roof from moisture damage. There are other options for your roof as well, including high-performance coatings that reflect sunlight and reduce heat accumulation.

By being proactive with your shipping container’s maintenance and staying on top of any needed repairs, you can extend the life of your container and often avoid more expensive repairs in the future. If you notice that your container is currently in need of repairs, make sure to stay tuned for our next blog post where we’ll explain how to fix some of the most common issues that can occur in shipping containers.