Swing Set Maintenance Tips
Do Regular Inspections of the Parts
Your play equipment should be inspected on a regular basis. Within 60 days of installation, and then twice monthly during the usage season, you should check and tighten the nuts and bolts as needed. It is particularly important to check & tighten bolts at the beginning of each season.
Check swings, chains, and slides for cracks or deterioration. To ensure the safety of the swing set, parts should be replaced at the first sign of deterioration.
If you're using loose-fill materials (mulch, pea gravel, etc), check the depth of your surfacing material as the material compresses over time and may get moved around. You must maintain a minimum depth of at least 9 inches to keep a safe play area. Refill/spread out as necessary. Learn more about our surfacing material recommendations here.
Maintenance Tips for Off-Season
If your area experiences regular snowfall, remove your tarp/canopy to avoid stretching, sagging, or tearing of the material. Store it inside, folded up, and it will be as good as new when winter is over.
If your area experiences extremely cold temperatures, remove swing belts and other pliable features to prolong the lifespan of these play activities.
Wood Playset Staining and Sealing
Staining and sealing the wood components of your play system as needed is an important part of swing set ownership.
This will not only keep your playset looking nice, but it will also prolong the life of the system by limiting moisture and UV rays that the wood is naturally exposed to.
It is recommended that you use a high quality stain/sealant within the first 90 days of owning your swing set. We recommend our own water based acrylic sealant that is specifically designed for the cedar lumber used on our swing sets (available in clear sealant or a tinted sealant), but any reputable paint store will be able to recommend a suitable product for your play system.
Problems to Look Out for During Maintenance
If any of the following conditions are noted, they should be removed, corrected, or repaired immediately to prevent injuries:
- Hardware that is loose or worn, or that has protrusions or projections;
- Scattered debris, litter, rocks, or tree roots within the play area;
- Rust and chipped paint on metal components
- Splinters, structural wood imperfections, or decayed wood components;
- Missing or damaged equipment and or components, such as hardware, handholds, panel slats, etc.
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