Will shipping container rust?

[avorancher]

About 3 years ago, I placed one of those 20 ft. watertight shipping containers beside a steep dirt bank. Since then, I noticed that some of the bank has collapsed allowing 12 to 18 inches of dirt and about another foot of leaves, etc. to fill in the space between the container and the bank.

My question is... how long before the container rusts to the point of leaking? I store a lot of paper in the container that I don't want ruined. The exterior paint is in good shape and the container is designed to take salt water abuse.

Suggestions for cleaning out the space would be appreciated, as well as how to prevent future rust-out. The space is 20 ft. long and about 8 to 10 inches wide... the dirt bank and the container are about 8.5 ft. tall.

Oh yeah... moving the container is not an option.

 

[RedRocker]

If it's steel it will rust. I'd backfill with gravel to drain away any standing water.

 

[PineRidge]

Every container that I have seen most likely wouldn't last long with wet dirt contact on the skin. I would recommend the gravel backfill and a perforated drain to funnel the water away from the container.

Sounds like more seat time to me.

 

[EddieWalker]

Gravel will help, but it will still hold moisture, and over time silt will build up in the gravel adding to the moisture level. I would only consider gravel as my last option.

You really need to create an air space between the soil and the container. Some sort of retaining wall needs to be installed if you expect it to last. This would be the best way to go, but probably the most expensive and labor intensive.

Does it make sense to spend a certain amount of money to protect something that only cost a certain amount??

Plan B would be to waterproof the part of the container that's making contact. Remove the dirt, and inspect for rust. It's really hard to remove 100% of the rust if it's started, but there are automotive products to seal it and will stop it from spreading. Then apply a waterproof sealer. Just about any heavy ruberized paint should do the job.

Gravel would be good to backfill with after it's been sealed.

My third option and my least favorite, but it should work is to buy a sheet of Preasure Treated plywood and put it between the dirt and the container with some plastic spacers screwed to the plywood too create an air pocket. When it rains, the dirt will be held away from the container, but the water will be able to run down the space and go away.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[JeffRey30747]

If you bought the container after it had been taken out of service, there is an excellent chance that it was already pretty rusty on the bottom. Ours get handled pretty roughly in Guatemala by the lift trucks there and when we remove them from service, it usually because of rust and/or structural damage on the bottom from the rough handling and exposure to sea water. When they aren't being handled full of cargo (storage) this isn't much of an issue.
The situation you describe is far less than ideal but I can't tell you when it will rust through. It sounds like it may be time for some PM, though.
Jeff

 

[Highbeam]

The inside of the container will sweat. There are vents in the top of of the sides to allow moisture laden air inside. The floor is wooden, etc. The container isn't exactly dry storage. I've painted mine to eliminate surface rust and make it look better.

Yes it will rust, yes it will be wet inside, and yes it will rust faster when you pile dirt up against it. For longest life get the dirt and debris away. If you wanted dry storage, you should have built a building.

 

[avorancher]

Everyone is confirming my fears that it is only a matter of time. Unfortunately, I plan on living a long time so I guess I'll have to deal with it.

I wish it was just more seat time, but the space is inaccessible by machine... even too small for me to squeeze my body into. I had a dozer cut the bank and drag it to that spot before I loaded it up with about 15,000 lbs.

Trained gophers? Maybe a high pressure water hose?