Condensation is the main enemy
Rain doesn't get into a sound container from above, but moisture from the air does. In Albany the air is often humid and cool, and every time you open the doors you let more of it in. At night the steel roof cools, the moisture condenses and it drips. Over a long winter, that can mean damp cardboard, rusty tools and mildew on anything made of fabric or leather.
Ventilation is the fix. Vents high on the walls let moist air escape, and a few on the opposite end create a cross-flow. Put everything on pallets, leave space between your goods and the walls, and hang moisture absorbers from the lashing rings — check and replace them regularly through winter. Open the doors on dry, breezy days to air it out.
Salt, wind and paint
The Southern Ocean doesn't hold back. Strong winds carry salt a long way inland, and a container in Little Grove, Goode Beach or Frenchman Bay Road will see its exposed side weather faster than the sheltered one. Put the doors on the lee side, away from the prevailing wind, so the seals aren't copping salty rain all winter.
Rinse the container with fresh water a few times a year, sweep leaves and grit off the roof, and inspect the lower rails and hinges for rust. Chips in the paint should be wire-brushed, primed and repainted quickly. A light colour is less about keeping cool here and more about blending into the landscape — though it still helps on sunny summer days.
Using the low winter sun
In a southern winter the sun sits low in the northern sky, and on a clear day it's your best drying agent. If the block allows, site the container so one long wall catches that northern sun and the doors open onto a sheltered side. A sunny wall warms the air inside a little during the day, which helps moisture escape through the vents rather than settling on your goods.
What you want to avoid is a container tucked permanently into the cold, shaded side of the house under dripping trees. Boxes placed like that stay damp for months. On a still, sunny winter afternoon, open the doors for an hour and let the air change.
Rocky, hilly and granite-strewn blocks
Albany sits among granite hills, and plenty of blocks around Mount Clarence, Mount Melville and the outer suburbs are sloping or rocky. A container needs to sit level on firm footings at its four corners. On a slope, that might mean building up the low side with compacted fill or concrete pads rather than digging into rock.
Level placement is crucial. A container that sits out of square twists slightly, which makes the doors hard to close and stops the seals meeting evenly. Make sure water drains away from the container too — a low spot will collect rain and rust the base.
Farms, plantations and small business
Beyond town, the Great Southern is sheep, grain, cattle and plantation country, with farms around Mount Barker, Kendenup, Narrikup and Denmark. Containers are used for fertiliser, seed, spare parts, fencing gear and tools. On paddock sites, pick a spot that stays firm when it's wet and is accessible for a truck. For bulk storage a 40ft gives more space, provided the truck can manoeuvre.
If you're storing chemicals, sprays or fuel, use a dangerous goods container rather than a standard one. In town, small businesses around the Albany CBD and light industrial areas use containers for stock, tools and equipment — the same condensation rules apply.
Which grade suits Albany
In a damp climate, grade matters more than usual. Cargo-worthy used containers and new single-trip containers are the grades we sell as wind and watertight, and they're what you want for furniture, documents or anything that mustn't get wet. As-is units aren't sold watertight, so they suit firewood, garden gear or scrap materials only. Our grades explained article sets it out in more detail.
Ask for photos of the actual container before delivery if you'd like to see the condition of the doors, floor and paint.
Getting the truck in
Albany is a long run from Fremantle, so it's worth getting the access right before the truck sets off. A tilt-tray handles most 10ft and 20ft drops and needs a firm, straight approach and room overhead. Steep driveways, soft winter ground or tight gates may mean a side-loader or crane truck. A 40ft needs a lot more room. Send us photos and we'll sort the right vehicle. The City of Albany has its own rules about containers — check with them before ordering.
