Inspect cribbing annually for settling. Keep gravel pads under the container clear of vegetation. Check drainage so water flows AWAY from the container base. Replace timbers when they show rot (typically 15-25 years for pressure-treated). Concrete piers are permanent.
Steel containers handle the elements except where they touch the ground. Bottom rails sitting in moisture rot from the inside. Cribbing is the cheapest way to add a decade of life.
Check level (use a 6-foot level across the container floor). Look for settling at any corner. Inspect cribbing for rot, displacement, or compression. Check that ground hasn't shifted to push water toward the container.
Pressure-treated 4×6 timbers last 20-25 years. Concrete blocks last indefinitely. Replace any rotted, split, or settling cribbing. Lift container with jacks to swap.
Water should flow AWAY from the container base, not pool near it. Add gravel + slight grade if needed. Clear vegetation that traps moisture.
Plants growing against the container hold moisture and accelerate rust. Keep a 2-3 foot buffer around the base clear of vegetation.
If you're lifting the container anyway (for repaint, relocation, or replacement), upgrade from timber cribbing to concrete piers. Decades of additional life for modest cost.
Maintenance questions vary by climate, age, condition, and use. Tell us your situation — we'll walk through what's normal, what needs attention, and what can wait. Our family business has been doing this for 25 years; we've seen what works long-term.
Call (845) 343-0700(845) 343-0700
Mon–Sat · 7am–7pm ET · Real humans, no call center
