Ground Preparation for your Shipping Container
April 30, 2020
Shipping containers can give you that bit of extra space for your next project. Need an office? Granny flat or even just more space for storage? A shipping container can get you going, but with anything, it's only as stable as its foundation. Just like a building, a large, heavy shipping container needs a proper foundation for both temporary and permanent usage. Here are some ground preparation tips that could save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Have adequate space
It may be obvious, but shipping containers are big and there are a lot of things to prepare before shipping container delivery. Make sure your desired site has enough space for it. The delivery truck will also need enough space to drive in and drop it off. If the truck can’t get to the location then you’re going to need some alternative delivery method.
Container placement is important, where will it be opened from? Do the doors have enough space to open all the way? Think about these factors when you’re planning on buying or hiring a storage container.
Prepare a level ground
Here’s an important one, make sure the ground is FLAT before placing your container. You’ll be able to tell if your plot is level or not with a level checker tool, although if there's bits of debris and rocks, then they should be removed. Anything that could ruin a flat surface should be removed. Small gaps and inclines could give home to insects and may form condensation.
You may need the assistance of machinery for this. If you don’t have an excavator lying around in your garage, you may need to hire, but it will be worth it in the long run. Prevention is the best cure.
Imagine you use your shipping container as an office that’s been placed on flat dirt. Enter stage left, heavy rains. All that water is likely to cause some of the soil to shift, and when this happens, your office will also shift slightly, causing the entire office to be tilted.
If you’re planning on a permanent installation or even a lengthy temporary solution, we highly recommend getting some sort of foundation ready before your container arrives. There are a few options available for you when it comes to foundations:
Concrete slab foundation
This involves having a reinforced concrete slab laid out at a desired location. You’ll want this as a permanent solution or lengthy temporary solution for your container as it will protect it from possible sinking.
Blocks as foundations
More useful for temporary storage, putting your shipping container on blocks will keep it elevated, helping avoid the rain and potential flooding of the container. These blocks come in a variety of materials such as steel, concrete or timber.
Pile foundation
Pile foundations are generally beams of solid steel, and are used when you’re planning to place the container on very soft soiled areas or sand. The beams are driven into the ground until they hit a more solid and firm part of the ground, which will become the base for a concrete slab. This will keep your container firm and strong, even if some soil or dirt erodes away.
At the end of the day, the proper ground preparation for any shipping container can save you lots of time and money in the long run. Do your research and do it right the first time so you can spend more time using it. If you’ve prepared your land but haven’t bought one yet, there are many reputable Sydney shipping container sales available who can assist with any questions you may have.
