Watertight meaning is one of the most important things to know before purchasing or renting a container. It is a kind of grade that defines a container’s condition.
The primary purpose of containers is to transport goods across oceans. This is mostly done on the decks of large ships. However, after their years sailing the ocean end, more and more entrepreneurs are looking to containers to fulfill several creative solutions.
This is where a watertight container can be utilized fully in new and creative ways across many industries. To know the watertight meaning and how it can be utilized, find out in this article!
Contents
Watertight Meaning
A watertight container is often labeled as WWT (Wind and Watertight). It is a used shipping container that no longer qualifies for international shipping but is still completely sealed against rain, wind, and external elements.
Meaning, it has no holes or leaks, but it is not cargo-worthy. The container that falls under this category means that they have gone through some damage and is not capable of shipping goods overseas.
Watertight containers are made of materials that do not allow water to enter them and are coated with a substance that makes them resistant to water. These containers are ideal for on-site storage, workshops, or modification projects, especially when weather protection is important.
Watertight Container Requirement
To qualify as watertight, a container must meet the following standards:
No Holes or Leaks
The container must be free of rust holes, punctures, or cracks in the roof, walls, and floor. Then, the welds, seams, and panels must be intact and not allow water ingress.
Fully Sealed Doors
To fulfill the watertight requirement, the cargo doors must close tightly and lock properly. To achieve that, you can use rubber gaskets around the doors. Choose flexible rubber gaskets (not cracked or dry-rotted), unbroken, and properly seated. With this, water should not enter even during heavy rain or when sprayed with a hose.
No Gaps in the Floor
A container is considered watertight when the plywood or steel floors are solid and gap-free. They also have to be free from signs of rot, sagging, or moisture from beneath. Therefore, you need to check for rusted or warped floor cross-members underneath beforehand.
Structurally Sound Walls and Roof
Make sure the side walls and roof panels are free of major dents, which can cause pooling water or structural weakness. Any repairs must be properly sealed with welds or marine-grade patches.
Windproof
The windproofness of a container can be defined by the absence of visible daylight through doors, walls, or joints. Make sure that all seams are tight, preventing drafts or dust from entering.
Tested for Watertightness
Common methods to verify container watertightness are through a flashlight test, shine a light inside the container in a dark space; if light escapes, it’s not watertight. Or, you can do the hose or rain test by spraying the container with water and inspecting the inside for leaks.
Common Uses for Watertight Containers
On-Site Storage
You can turn the watertight containers into on-site storage to store tools, equipment, spare parts, or materials securely at construction sites, industrial yards, farms, and ranches. They can keep everything protected from rain, rodents, dust, and theft.
Container Home or Office Conversion
A watertight container is a great starting point for building tiny homes, cabins, remote offices, artist studios, and garden rooms. The watertight status prevents leaks, mold, and moisture issues in interiors.
Workshops & Fabrication Rooms
You can modify the container easily. Just install insulation, power, and ventilation. After, you can use it as an enclosed, mobile workspace for welding, woodworking, and equipment repair.
Tool Lockers or Equipment Sheds
A watertight container is perfect for use as permanent or mobile tool rooms on farms, campuses, or job sites. It keeps expensive gear safe, organized, and dry.
Agricultural or Farm Use
If you are looking for a good container for your agricultural storage, you can just use a watertight container. Containers are more durable than wood sheds in harsh environments. It is great as an animal feed (protected from moisture), fertilizers, pesticides, or small machinery.
Retail Pop-Ups & Kiosks
Modified watertight containers are used for farmers’ market booths, seasonal kiosks, and event pop-ups as they are weatherproof and relocatable.
Emergency or Disaster Relief Use
A watertight container is a fast deployment for emergency storage, shelter, supply distribution centers, and mobile command units.
Document & Archive Storage
Even though a watertight container is not cargo-worthy anymore, it is still a safe, dry place for files, records, or historical materials. Institutions or organizations with a high volume of documentation, like schools, hospitals, and municipalities, can utilize a watertight container.
Secure Personal Storage
You can also utilize watertight containers on your private properties to store seasonal gear, furniture, and outdoor equipment (ATVs, bikes, etc.). They are more durable than garages or sheds.
Conclusion
Watertight meaning that the container does not meet the requirements as cargo worthy class, as they do not have a valid CSC plate. They normally cost less than the cargo-worthy ones but are still able to serve several good years as a solid storage.
Buy or rent a watertight or even cargo-worthy container from Tradecorp, a reliable container sales, purchase, rental, and modification service company. Tradecorp provides modification and custom shipping container services by adding windows, doors, walls, and roof insulation.
Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your container to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!