November 25th, 2024
Winter brings a beautiful wonderland of snow and ice, but it can also create major challenges for outdoor spaces, especially playgrounds. Without proper playground winter maintenance, equipment can suffer from damage, rust, and structural issues, potentially making the area unsafe for children. Whether your playground experiences just a few inches of snow or endures multiple heavy snowstorms, regular maintenance after winter weather is crucial for preserving the equipment's safety, appearance, and longevity.
Here's a practical and detailed guide to effective playground winter maintenance that will keep your commercial playground safe and enjoyable all year long.
Inspect Playground Equipment Thoroughly
The first and most important step in playground winter maintenance is a detailed inspection of all equipment. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can cause significant stress on playground structures. After the snow clears, walk through the entire playground carefully and check for:
- Rust and Corrosion: Metal components are highly vulnerable to moisture from snow and ice. Look closely at joints, bolts, and any metal surfaces where water could pool. Salt used on nearby walkways can accelerate corrosion if it splashes onto the equipment.
- Cracks in Plastic and Rubber: Plastic slides, tunnels, and panels can become brittle and crack during freezing temperatures. Rubber surfaces can also develop splits or tears.
- Warped or Rotting Wood: Wooden components absorb moisture easily. As temperatures fluctuate, wood can warp, split, or even begin to rot. Replace any compromised sections immediately.
Using a detailed checklist during your inspection can help ensure that no part of the playground is overlooked. Early detection of problems will prevent minor issues from developing into costly repairs.
Clear Away Ice and Snow Carefully
Prompt snow and ice removal is a vital part of playground winter maintenance. However, it's essential to use methods that will protect playground surfaces rather than damage them. Here's how:
- Soft Bristle Brooms and Plastic Shovels: Gently brush away snow using a soft-bristled broom or plastic snow shovel. Avoid metal tools that can scrape or gouge surfaces.
- Kid-Safe De-icers: If you must melt ice, choose a child-safe de-icing product such as calcium magnesium acetate. This material is less corrosive than traditional rock salt and wont harm playground surfacing or structures.
- Warm Water Rinse: For areas with stubborn ice buildup, a warm (not hot) water rinse can help loosen the ice without the need for harsh chemicals.
Take care to not pile snow against playground equipment. When it melts, it can create muddy conditions and add additional wear to surfaces.
Check Anchors and Foundation Stability
One often overlooked aspect of playground winter maintenance is the stability of the equipment anchors and foundations. Freezing and thawing cycles cause soil to expand and contract, which can shift playground structures.
After winter storms:
- Inspect anchoring points on all playground structures.
- Tighten loose bolts and ensure all equipment is stable.
- Realign or reset equipment that appears tilted or unsteady.
- Look for soil erosion around foundations that could compromise equipment stability.
Catching foundation issues early can help prevent serious injuries and costly replacement down the road.
Examine Safety Surfacing
Proper safety surfacing is critical to prevent injuries during falls, and it must be carefully checked during playground winter maintenance. Snow and ice can reduce the effectiveness of the surfacing materials.
Key areas to inspect include:
- Compacted Snow and Ice: Snow can compact mulch, wood chips, or rubber mulch, drastically reducing their shock-absorbing properties. Loosen compacted areas or top them up as needed.
- Frozen Turf or Rubber: Artificial turf or poured in place rubber can become dangerously slippery when ice. Remove ice carefully without using sharp tools.
- Depth of Mulch or Sand: Loose-fill surfacing materials often settle over the winter months. Make sure they are at the recommended depth to provide proper impact protection.
Maintaining surfacing not only extends its lifespan but also ensures the playground remains compliant with safety standards.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Cold temperatures can make moving playground components stiff or non-functional. Part of essential playground winter maintenance includes lubricating mechanical parts such as:
- Swing chains
- Carousel bearings
- Seesaw hinges
- Zip line trolleys
Use a non-toxic, weather-resistant lubricant designed for outdoor use. Be careful not to over-lubricate, as excess oil can attract dust and dirt. After applying, test all moving equipment to ensure it operates smoothly.
Address Cosmetic and Structural Repairs
While safety repairs take precedence, addressing cosmetic wear and minor structural issues is also important for extending the life of your playground.
- Repaint Scratched or Faded Areas: A fresh coat of paint helps protect metal components from rust and UV damage.
- Replace Damaged Parts: Swap out broken handgrips, cracked seats, frayed ropes, or torn panels.
- Clean Surfaces: Remove grime, dirt, or salt buildup using a gently soap and water solution.
Keeping the playground looking bright, clean, and well-maintained makes it more inviting for families and can encourage greater community use.
Perform Regular Post-Winter Maintenance
Developing a structured playground winter maintenance routine after the winter season is crucial for long-term care. After initial spring inspection, continue with regular inspections and maintenance throughout the year.
A few tips for setting up a year round maintenance schedule include;
- Spring: Complete a full post-winter inspection, make necessary repairs, and refresh surfacing materials.
- Summer: Check for heat related damage like warping or fading and ensure all bolts remain tight.
- Fall: Clear leaves and debris, prep surfaces, and tighten equipment in anticipation of winter storms.
- Winter Inspect after heavy snowfalls and clear snow and ice as needed.
By establishing a preventative maintenance routine, you can significantly extend the life of your playground and ensure it remains safe and fun for years to come.
Conclusion
Taking proactive steps for playground winter maintenance after snowstorms is vital to protecting your investment, and most importantly, ensuring the safety of children. Through thorough inspections, careful snow removal, surfacing checks, and consistent maintenance, you can prevent costly repairs and maintain a welcoming space for play no matter the season.
A well maintained playground isn't just an attractive feature, it's a community treasure. If you need to replace any equipment or safety surfacing post winter snow storms, let us know!
Start your post winter checklist today and keep the fun going all year round.