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If you work in the removal industry, you may have come across a too damaged container to use. Shipping containers are designed to withstand quite a bit of wear and tear as they travel across oceans and over highways. Read on to find out more about how shipping containers can be damaged and the steps you can take to prevent this from occurring.

Wet Damage

Unfortunately, a shipping container can sustain damage due to water penetrating the roof or walls. Sealed shipping containers are built to withstand a certain amount of pressure from the outside, but that doesn't mean that you can drive a truck into them or even turn them on their side without worrying about their structural integrity. Moisture might result in mould growing inside if it was not properly ventilated during use as a storage unit. If this is the case, you need to have someone look at your container before using it again to ensure there isn't any underlying damage caused by taking on too much water. If your shipping container has been submerged in standing water for any length of time, then rust will likely be present and should be removed as described below.

Removing Rust

Most damages to steel structures such as shipping containers start with oxygen reacting with iron molecules in the presence of moisture. When this happens, a reddish-brown flaky substance called vermiculite forms. This layer continues to build until all of the moisture has evaporated, which results in rougher patches or large sections that have been eaten away completely.

Surface rust can be removed using a wire brush or abrasive pad during routine maintenance inspections. Once you remove these rough patches, acids can be used on any bare metal that remains to stop further corrosion from occurring. If you want your container to be used for storage purposes, then you need to eradicate any rust. Additionally, if you want your container to look new again on the outside and be safe to use on the inside, you should give it a coat of primer or epoxy before painting it. You can also use anti-rust paint that is designed for steel structures such as shipping containers, although this last option may be an expensive solution.

Contact a shipping container supplier today if you want to find out more. A member of the team will be happy to offer you further help and assistance.