It has been estimated that most shipping containers have a lifespan on the sea of about two decades. Having said that, many are retired after between 10 and 15 years of use. Some experts say that there are as many as 24 million of these containers that are no longer used for shipping. These are used for a number of reasons ranging from being generator enclosures to being used as a number of kinds of buildings. Industrial shipping containers can be used as modular housing, office space, museums, schools, and hospitals. They are also used as pop up shops and other things. Whether you are using one as a generator enclosure or for something else, there are things you can do to keep it in great shape.
- Pay close attention to the roof. Just as the roof of your home is instrumental in keeping your house in good shape. When you have a used shipping container, the first place you will see damage from all of its years of service may be on the roof. This is often caused when the storage containers are stacked in a pile. This can cause the paint to be chipped and for dents to be made in the top of the unit. When there are chips in the paint, that can lead to problems with rust and corrosion as the paint is the container’s first line of defense against the elements. If you see these are problems with your shipping container, take some time to make the repairs. These problems cannot fix themselves and can lead to much bigger issues.
- Deal with rust. From time to time, you should take some time to inspect your unit for rust spots. Your shipping container may not be on the high seas and is just there to be used as a generator enclosure but it can still be vulnerable to rust. When you see it, you need to remove it. No steel is completely impervious to the ravages of rust and corrosion. If you remove the rust when you see it, you will make the task easier to deal with. Protect the area by painting it afterward and by adding a sealant.
- Keep an eye on the doors. The heavy-duty, rubber seals on the doors of shipping containers can be damaged by general usage. When you first look at shipping containers that are for sale, you should make sure the unit you buy has door seals that are in good working condition. If you take the time to keep them clean and free from dust and dirt, you can greatly extend their lifespan. You should not hold onto seals that have become cracked or otherwise damaged. Those should be replaced. From time to time, take a look at how well the door mechanism works. It should slide easily. If it does not, you can use a lubricant. Pay attention, too, to the locks and hinges. They may need some care and feeding to stay healthy.
- Be careful with the way you place your container. Whether it is being used as a generator enclosure or to house your family, you want it to be on a surface that is level. This will prevent moisture from collecting near the base of the unit and can prevent problems with corrosion and rust under your shipping container.
- Look at any changes that were made to the unit. Most of the time, shipping containers are built to be water-tight and to resist rust and other corrosion. There are a lot of modifications that can be made to these used containers that may change that. When you are looking at containers to buy, you should take a look at any changes that were made and how they may change the integrity of the shipping containers. You may need to use more paint or other products to restore the unit’s ability to withstand damage from rust or corrosion.
Today, used shipping containers can be used for an almost endless list of things. Around the globe, they are used as generator enclosures and many kinds of buildings. These tips can help you keep your used shipping container in really good shape.