How Shipping Container Floorboards Get Damaged: An In-Depth Look

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container floor damage

Shipping containers are the backbone of global trade, transporting goods across the world. However, their floors can take quite a beating, leading to container floor damage. Understanding what causes this damage is key to keeping containers in top condition. From environmental exposure and heavy loads to rough handling, various factors contribute to the wear and tear of these floors. Issues like chemical spills, pest infestations, and uneven surfaces in container yards can also cause significant damage. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent these problems from becoming costly headaches. Let’s dive into the common causes of container floor damage.

Environmental Factors

Moisture and Water Damage : Containers often spend time in empty container yards where they can be exposed to rain and humidity. This exposure can lead to moisture seeping into the wood, causing rot and decay. Additionally, floods in container yards can severely damage the floors, as prolonged contact with water weakens the wood and leads to container floor damage. Proper protection and drainage systems are essential to prevent this type of damage.

  1. Heavy Loads: Some shippers overlook weight panels and overload containers, which can stress the floorboards and lead to container floor damage. Additionally, forklifts traveling over weak or compromised floors can further exacerbate this damage, compromising the integrity of the container.
  2. Physical Impact: Rough handling during loading and unloading can damage the floorboards. Containers can also be struck underneath, especially if handled carelessly. Moreover, poor conditions of empty truck trailers, such as upward inclines, can lead to improper loading onto trailers, resulting in floor damage.
  3. Uneven Floor Conditions: When containers are placed on uneven ground in container yards, the floorboards can warp or bend. This uneven support can lead to container floor damage over time, as the stress is not evenly distributed across the floor.

Biological Factors

Pest Infestation : Termites and other pests are attracted to wood and can cause significant harm if they infest your container. Their activity can weaken the floorboards, leading to structural damage and contributing to container floor damage.

Chemical Factors

Chemical Spills : Containers often carry chemicals, and any spills can severely damage the floorboards. These substances can weaken the wood, leading to significant container floor damage if not addressed promptly.

Wear and Tear

Age and Wear : Over time, containers naturally experience wear and tear. As they are used repeatedly, the floorboards show signs of aging, eventually needing maintenance or replacement to prevent container floor damage.

Maintenance

Poor Maintenance : Skipping regular inspections and maintenance can allow minor issues to develop into significant problems. Regular check-ups are crucial to keeping the floorboards in good condition and preventing container floor damage.

Container Floor Damage Samples

01. Unrepaired ( non repair worthy ) gouge on the interior face of the container floorboards with areas that have loose splinters.

02. Surface delamination of floorboard.

03. Finger cracking on underside of flooring (shipping container floorboard finger cracking)

Finger cracking is considered repairable only if it is accompanied by one or more of the following conditions,

  1. Visible sign of impact on the opposite side.
  2. Damage to adjacent components.
  3. Visible bowing of the opposite side of the floor.
  4. Hollow sound when hammer tested.

04. Damage & Delaminated floorboard.

05. Sagging Floorboard between crossmembers (caused by interior delamination of the plywood)

06. Floor hole with light leaks.

07. Protruding nails on floor

08. Nails holes in container floorboard

09. Light leakage gaps between floorboard or adjacent components.

10. Downward deformation – if more than 15mm measured transversely at the floor screw centerline.

11. Container Floor gouges ( regardless of length ) if more than 15mm or more than 5mm deep throughout a width of more than 150mm.

12. Different height of surfaces of adjacent floorboard

13. Surface Veneer Damage – damage observed down to the 4th ply (top 3 plies are missing + minimum 1 loose ply)

14. Steel or any other plates covered on floorboard area’s which done temporary basis. (substandard / improper repair)

15. Container Floor Loose

Container Floor Screw Reinstall

Reasons for loose shipping container floors

  • Floorboard Wear and Tear: Over time, the plywood or other flooring materials can degrade due to heavy usage, moisture, or impact damage, contributing to loose or unstable floors.
  • Corrosion Around Screw Holes: If the steel crossmembers or structure where the screws are mounted are corroded, it can cause screws to loosen, affecting the stability of the floor.
  • Enlarged Screw Holes: Repeated stress can enlarge the screw holes, which can cause screws to become loose, no longer securely holding the floorboards in place.
  • Floorboard Swelling or Shrinking: Changes in moisture levels can cause the plywood to swell or shrink, which may also loosen screws or cause the flooring to become unstable.

16. External impacts to container causes floorboard damage

External impacts to container

Read this to understand ” How Shipping Container Damages Occur in Container Yards

17. Floor oil stains, sticky or glue, tar on the floorboard

18. Oil-absorbed floorboard

A fully oil-soaked floor often shows wet oil on the surface with oil underneath and possible leakage, which can harm the cargo.