I'm getting a 10ft shipping container for my farm to store general tools and house our ride-on mower. The container's in decent shape, but I want it to last as long as possible. The site is a damp clay paddock in New Zealand, which definitely raises some concerns about rust during the wetter months. I'm looking for the simplest or cheapest methods to ensure the bottom of the container doesn't rust away over time.
I've thought of a few options:
1) Digging 6-8 holes for 30cm high piles with a moisture barrier underneath. The downside is that hiring a digger around here is pretty pricey and digging those holes is going to be tough. Plus, I'd have to build a bigger ramp for the mower.
2) Putting it on a compacted gravel box with concrete pavers to promote airflow underneath.
3) Or maybe you have other suggestions? A concrete pad seems a bit excessive for my needs, and it would be hard to get a concrete truck close enough to do the work anyway.
2 Answers
I think option 2 is a solid choice! A compacted gravel base should work just fine for keeping the container off the ground and allowing airflow to prevent moisture buildup.
I'd recommend going with a compacted gravel box and using about 8 15-30 cm tall concrete piers to elevate the container. This way, you won’t need a full foundation, and the piers can stay stable, even if the ground shifts a bit. Just make sure there's enough space under it to keep pests away and for airflow.
Since it’ll be delivered on a truck, have a crane ready to set it in place. Also, do touch up the bottom with some anti-rust paint before setting it down; that’ll really help it last longer!
Great tip on the anti-rust paint! Would a quick wire brush with a drill, followed by some rust converter paint, work? I’m worried the driver might not wait around for it to dry!
I've never used piers before. Do they just sit on the gravel like that? I've seen a lot of folks use cinder blocks for this.
Thanks for that!