You have decided to install a Playset in your garden or perhaps your school or nursery. Of course, providing a fun play area for children is an investment, and you will want to keep it in good shape to ensure that the participants and users of it are safe. The equipment will undoubtedly take some abuse. Hopefully, the kids will spend hundreds of hours climbing, swinging, sliding, and who knows what else on your investment.
The best Playset equipment designs are built to last a lifetime, but that does not mean that you can install and forget about them. Similar to a car or a house, maintenance is required from time to time. Garden Outdoor playground equipment will indeed also need a regular check-up, and moving parts may need to be greased or protected from the worst of the weather.
Speaking of weather protection, your Play System will have been treated with a water sealant at the factory, protecting the wood components from damage or deterioration. Over time the equipment will be exposed to rain, wind, hail, and snow as well as sunlight. Add to that the vigorous play that the children will subject the equipment to; the equipment should be inspected regularly to try and spot any areas that may need attention. Once a year, the equipment should be re-sealed, and inspect all equipment that touches the ground for signs of moisture damage. Action should be quickly taken in the event that any signs of deterioration occur.
Typical things to check to ensure that your warranty is strong:
Check and tighten all nuts and bolts (make sure not to overtighten)
Check all coverings on bolts - address any sharp edges
Rake up leaf collections to ensure equipment does not sit for long periods in a damp environment
Check drainage
Clean tarps with soap and water
Clean vinyl-dipped parts
Metallic parts should be greased
Check for rust and replace any parts that have deteriorated
Swing hangers, tire swivels, S-Hooks, and eyebolts should be inspected and replaced as needed
Cover equipment with any supplied tarps when not in use
Remove plastic seats when the temperature drops below 32 deg F
The warranty will also specify that the set must be maintained appropriately and stained, and any greyed wood will affect the warranty claim. These things can often be forgotten; we all throw a receipt in a drawer and forget about it. It is well worth using the Calendar facility on your mobile phone to set a reminder each month or year to remind you to inspect and recover and retreat your Complete playground equipment.
Of course, it's not just your investment in the equipment you are protecting; you look after your children and their friends who may come to play on the equipment. Nobody wants to see any child hurt through equipment that may have been neglected.
These systems can easily last 25 years or more, spanning multiple generations who will grow up with great memories.
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