How to extend the service life of shipping containers? 5 simple steps
Marine containers and blocks designed for storing goods and cargo have good operational properties due to their high structural strength and high-quality materials from which the container is made. Each sea container has a specific service life specified by the manufacturer; in order to extend it, it is recommended to regularly clean the container and perform maintenance on the module. Experts urge to pay special attention to the care of the sea container in the spring, since in winter snow and moisture can get into defects and cracks inaccessible to visual perception, the result of which is the occurrence of corrosive processes with the prospect of the formation of visible rust.
Washing and repairing containers does not require large labor and time costs, provided that you have thought through and prepared a work plan in advance.
There are 5 simple steps you can take to extend your container's lifespan.
Step # 1 - Roof repair
Any specialist who works closely with container blocks knows that corrosive processes start from the roof and gradually spread throughout the container. For this reason, it is recommended at the first stage to focus on the inspection of the block roof. To detect rust inside a container, you need to close the doors and concentrate on finding areas through which sunlight penetrates. If light enters the container, then its tightness is questionable, if there is no light, then everything is in order with its tightness.
At the second stage of the inspection, it is necessary to use a ladder to identify visible defects on the outer surface of the roof of the container side. It is important not to lose sight of any defects, there may be dents, cracks, areas with mold or rust and other deformations. You can pour some water on the roof, which makes it much easier to find dents and other defects that require repairs to fix.
Step # 2 - Timely Corrosion
Removal Rust should be found on the roof and sides of the container and repaired. Otherwise, corrosive processes will begin to spread, affecting more and more areas. If we are talking about small spots, then sanding and applying a new paintwork can be dispensed with. If the spots are large or the metal has been deformed to a critical state, then it is better to use a patch. It can be welded or a quick-tape product. After installing the patch, it is necessary to paint and seal it, this approach will eliminate the possibility of moisture penetration into the container during the transport of goods or cargo.
Step 3 - Inspection and repair of doors
A distinctive feature of the transport container is a small number of moving elements, for this reason it is recommended to pay special attention to control over the condition of the doors. The first thing to do is to thoroughly inspect the doors for any rust or corrosion that may be behind the gaskets. After that, you need to arm yourself with a quality product for removing dust and dirt. All moving parts must be lubricated with oil, a medical syringe is best suited for this task, with its help you can lubricate even hard-to-reach places.
Step # 4 - Attention to the level
If we are talking about a container designed for storing goods and goods, then it is necessary to focus on how flat the area is in the place where the block is located. Under the container, which stands in one place for a long period of time, the earth is compacted, the result of this is "skewing". This can lead to an increase in the level of load on some of the seams and joints, as a result, the wear and depressurization of the container block accelerates.
There are several ways to make sure the container is level. The easiest way is to stretch a line between the two corners of the container and use the building's water level. If there is difficulty in closing the doors, then this may indicate the presence of a "skew".
Step # 5 - Checking the Floors
Inspecting the floors for signs of wear, corrosion or deformation is another important step that must be followed. If they are found, they must be removed to maintain the integrity of the block.
Compliance with the operating rules and technical inspection on a regular basis will allow the unit to be used as intended for a long period of time.
