How to prevent condensation build-up in Self Storage Units

Condensation in shipping container can occur due to poor ventilation or storing damp or wet goods. If not rectified, this can cause damage to goods stored in the self storage unit in future, even if the damp goods have been removed. Luckily, there are several ways to prevent condensation build-up in self storage units.

Condensation occurs mainly on the roof interior and top six inches of the interior sidewalls. The moisture usually develops while storing damp or wet goods inside storage units, together with high and low temperatures outside the shipping container.

Whether its for student storage, business storage or personal storage, there are many factors that need to be considered when managing the prevention of damp in self storage facilities, such as:

1.    The type of goods/equipment you are going to store inside such as washing machines

2.    How you store your belongings (more advice here )

3.    The location of the container

4.    The weather when you open the easy access doors

5.    How often you will open and shut the doors

6.    How much airflow you allow around the container inside

Whether its large storage units or small storage units, condensation can only come from what is put into a storage unit. If you put only dry things in your container, everything will stay perfectly dry. If you put wet clothes, garden furniture or a washing machine full of water in, you may experience condensation.

It also depends on how often you open your container and what the weather is like outside. If you keep the doors open for long periods and it’s raining, the water will get inside the container. Imagine leaving your front door open while it’s raining, your porch floor will soon be wet. Outside storage units are particularly vulnerable to this.

The condensation is caused by the sun heating up the container. Water will evaporate from the wet items. When the container cools, the moisture collects as water droplets on the inside of the container. The water can drip from the roof of the container onto the contents below.

The answer to avoid condensation is simple; don’t put anything wet into your storage unit. If you make sure everything is dry when it goes in, everything will stay dry whilst it’s in there. Also, when using the unit try not to keep the door open if it’s raining.

Shipping container vents consist of 10 holes punched into the steel wall, covered by an external bracket to enable good airflow, while keeping the container watertight.

A typical vented shipping container will feature vents located on each side of the unit, just below the top rail. Some storage companies only have containers have four or eight but Self Storage Corby units have 10 or 12 vents. Some new containers come with XL vents on the ends as well as vents on the side. The vents are positioned approximately six inches below the top rail of the shipping container

If the container is filled with bone dry goods and equipment, then it should maintain a moisture-free interior if left closed. 

To ensure air flow, we recommend that your goods are not stacked up against the walls or the ceilings

There is more information here

We have an article "Container Storage Explained' which you may find helpful. For a deeper look at factors impacting price read our article “What Does Self Storage Cost”  Also, take a look at our FAQs Storage Prices

Many of the customers at our self storage facility have used our specifically designed shipping containers with vents for static storage purposes for a long time, and they have not experienced excessive problems with condensation in shipping containers. We are, however, aware that there may be an exception to the rule. If you experience any problems, then please contact the friendly team at our Corby self storage facility and we will do our best to assist you. For safe and secure self storage in Corby you are in great hands!