Trampolines aren’t cheap. If you have recently invested in a trampoline for your family, it’s a good idea to learn how to care for your trampoline. Caring for a trampoline not only makes it safer for you and your loved ones, but it adds years to your trampoline. There’s not much worse than making a huge investment only to see it fall apart too soon.
Most trampoline owners worry about the winter months, and it’s for a good reason. However, despite the harsh weather, a lot of areas experience, trampoline care should be maintained year-round. Most trampolines break down because of a simple mistake an owner makes early on.
Proper Setup
In this article, we’re not going to go into detail about how to set up your trampoline. The key takeaway is that a appropriate trampoline setup is crucial for long term success. If your frame is not set up correctly, each jump will bring your trampoline closer to falling apart.
When installing everything, make sure that you read everything you need to do to set up the trampoline correctly. It is very important to always tighten the screws and bolts on the trampoline. Take your time setting up the trampoline and make sure all of the pieces for the trampoline are there.
We know it can be hard when you have anxious kids waiting for their first jump. Trust me, if the trampoline gets set up correctly, then it will last a very long time and be very safe.
Location
The location of your trampoline setup is something that a lot of owners miss. It’s easy to assume that any space large enough will suffice as the perfect spot. That’s not the case.
A trampoline that is close to a tree, even if the kids are out of harm’s way when jumping, poses to shorten the life of your trampoline. Leaves will fall throughout the year. A light breeze allows leaves to accumulate, even when the trampoline isn’t directly under any branch.
Take note of the final location. Ask yourself whether anything might accumulate during the year. Old leaves that build up over time assist mother nature in breaking down your trampoline.
Check the Trampoline Regularly
Just like our bodies, it’s important to stay current. There’s a magic formula for this tip, but make sure you check up on your trampoline every couple of weeks. Most trampolines don’t fall apart overnight; it’s usually something small that goes unnoticed for a long time.
It is important to do this because you can prevent or fix something that could have turned into something disastrous. This will prolong the life of your trampoline and allow your kids to always be safe and prevent injuries when jumping on the trampoline.
Here’s what you should be looking for:
- Any holes or tears on the jumping pad?
- Does the jumping pad look okay? Any sagging?
- Are the frames bent?
- How are the springs holding up?
Don’t Wear Shoes
This tip is obvious: Don’t wear shoes when jumping on your trampoline. Jumpers should be barefoot or be wearing socks. Shoes will ruin the jumping mat of the trampoline. It will begin to make it fade as well as it could cause holes or rips. Always jump without shoes!
Don’t Exceed The Weight Limit
While it might be a no-brainer, many trampoline owners fail to read up on the weight limit. The weight limit is most often broken for two reasons:
- Too many siblings or friends
- One or two parents
The best advice for trampoline safety is to limit the number of jumpers to one; it’s easier said than done. That rule would have never been okay when my brother and I were jumping as kids.
If you’re able to enforce this rule, it will go a long way in preserving your trampoline. You’ll never break the weight limit, and your kid(s) will be much safer. If the weight is exceeded, it can cause to much tension on the trampolines legs, and it could eventually buckle. Always follow the weight limit guidelines, they are put there for a reason, and that is to keep you safe.
Invest In A Cover
Finally, this article addresses the issue surrounding inclement weather! Yes, a lot of places in the world get their fair share of crummy weather during some parts of the year. That being said, a trampoline cover goes a long way in protecting this family fun asset.
Not only with the cover protect against rain, but the cover can also be used during the summer months as well. While most trampoline brands claim their products have jumping pads that are UV resistant, the sun will eventually break down just about anything.
It’s tough to get in the habit of covering it every day, but covering it up during the summer is easy when you know you’ll be gone for a while. Be proactive and get that cover on for vacations, or times when you know your kids will be gone for a few days. Also, try to put the cover on before it rains.
Stakes Are Good
Do you live in an area that experiences high winds at some point during a year? If so, investing in stakes that keep your trampoline in place could be a live saver. Buying stakes assume you have some sort of rope to attach to the trampoline. We were able to find some trampoline accessories that will work with helping you tie down your trampoline.
There have been reports of storms producing winds strong enough to blow over their trampolines. Losing your trampoline is one thing, but the potential damage it could do to your house (or neighbors) is a scary thought. Always make sure that your trampoline is secure to the ground if you know a terrible storm is coming. There are so many accessories that will help you in caring for your trampoline.
Be Proactive
This post covers a lot of useful information on how to care for your trampoline. Just because the advice is helpful doesn’t mean the list stops here. Trampoline care is an ongoing process. Keep an eye out at all times. Try to be one step ahead; don’t neglect your trampoline, or it will neglect you.
Let us know if you have any trampoline care tips we might have missed! How do you take care of your trampoline?