Shipping container condensation is a common problem that causes damage to tonnes of cargo every year. Condensation occurs mainly on a container’s interior roof. The upper part of the interior side walls may also get affected. Typically, condensation occurs when a gas turns into a liquid state as a result of temperature differences. When the moisture inside a 20ft or 40ft shipping container reaches the dew point, it causes condensation within the container, affecting the interior of the container and the cargo stored inside it. If you are planning to buy shipping containers, here are a few things you should know about how to prevent shipping container condensation.
Condensation Control Poles
You can use different types of desiccants to remove the dampness inside a container, and thus prevent container condensation. Condensation control poles, such as, dampstick, are the most popular type used in Australia. Some other options include dry bags and condensation control paints. If you choose to use a dampstick, just attach it on the walls of the container. On the other hand, condensation control paints should be applied on the roof, while dry bags should be positioned on the floor of the container.
Insulation
You can insulate the interior of the container to help fight condensation. Use either polystyrene insulation or cladding. Applying Grafo Therm onto the roof and the top six inches of the interior is another way to achieve similar results. Alternatively, you can lay aluminium barriers on the floor or use foil bubble wrap on the roof and interior walls of the shipping container.
Ventilation
Another good idea is to install container vents in the container walls to allow for enough airflow. The vents come with multiple small holes that help remove moist air from the interior and let in fresh, dry air into the container. However, before you use container vents, make sure the weather outside is dry enough to help dehumidify the inside air. It is advisable to avoid using container vents when it is wet outside. This could aggravate the container condensation problem further, by letting in moist air inside the container.
Dehumidifiers
You can also fight container condensation by using dehumidifiers. Easily available in most shops, dehumidifiers help soak in the moist air from the interior of a container. The moist turns into water and gets stored in a bucket. You need to empty the bucket frequently to prevent the water from turning into moisture again.
While there are many ways to prevent shipping container condensation, you need to choose the right techniques suitable for you. If necessary, you can use a combination of multiple methods, for best results. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem. You need to choose the right techniques for you, depending on a number of factors, including why you want to buy shipping containers in the first place, weather conditions in the area where you want to place the container, what products you want to store inside the container, and how frequently you would open or shut the container door.
