We build our play structures to last for years, but regular maintenance will extend the life of your structure as well as reveal any potential safety problems.

Read on for our tips on performing a safety check and preparing your play structure for winter.

General Play Structure Safety Check:

1. Inspect all connections for wear, decay or rust.

2. Tighten all bolts. Most bolts require a 9/16” wrench and a 9/16” socket to tighten.

3. Tighten any screws that are protruding above the surface of the board. This will require the use of a #2 Phillips head screwdriver.

4. Check for damaged wood that may cause splinters. Sand smooth or replace the board.

5. Inspect all swing parts for damage: the swing hanger, swing chain, and swing seat.

6. Tighten rock holds with a 5/16” Allen wrench.

7. Inspect any rope on the structure to make sure it has not come untied, worn or cut.

8. Make sure that no unsafe or unauthorized equipment (loose ropes, climbing poles, sticks) have been added to the play structure, reducing its safety.

9. Assess your resilient surfacing, this is the single most important safety feature for your play area. Use the chart in the Treehouse Maintenance Brochure for information on how to check your resilient surfacing for depth and quality.

Treehouse Specific Safety Check:

1. Schedule an arborist to inspect the tree each year to check the overall health of the tree.

2. Have the tree trimmed and have dead branches removed to reduce the likelihood of a branch falling on the kids while playing or the structure.

3. Make sure the tree’s root crown (at the base of the tree) does not accidentally get covered in bark chip as this could threaten the health of the tree.

4. Remind the children to not pick at or peel away the tree bark, as this could compromise the health of the tree. Clear the fallen leaves & tree debris from the deck with a leaf blower, This keeps the play surface safe and will discourage any decay from starting.

5. Inspect where limbs pass through the structure to see if any rubbing, abrasion or girdling is occurring. For fast growing trees, the decking and/or siding may need to get cut back to allow the tree to continue to grow freely without getting girdled by the structure. If you are unsure but have some questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call and talk to Barbara.

Zip Line Safety Check:

1. Rope and Buoy/or Disc Seat

   The rope tied to the buoy or disc seat is the part that is most likely to need replacement. If the rope looks worn at any point, it should be replaced with high quality 3/4” rope. We prefer 3/4” three-strand twisted nylon because it is both strong and soft on the hands. The buoy or disc seat should also be inspected. If the buoy needs more air, it is easily done with an air compressor and a blower attachment. No needle is necessary; just unscrew the plug and blow air into the hole to inflate. The disc seat should be inspected for any cracks in the plastic.

2. Trolley and Carabiner

   Inspect the wheels of the trolley. If either show signs of wear, it may slow down the zip line and may need to be replaced. The carabiner should also be inspected for any problems.

3. Cable

   The cable should be inspected for any worn spots, especially at any place where the cable may have been kinked or bent. Examine the loop at each end for any signs of fraying.

4. Tree Attachment

   The chain is attached to the tree with 2 long, heavy-duty lag bolts. Examine these connections for any defects or signs of wear.

5. Anchor Shackles and Turnbuckles

   Check that each anchor shackle is closed with both a nut and a cotter pin. Examine for any defects or signs of wear. Check that the turnbuckle bolts are closed with a cotter pin (no nut is used here). Inspect for wear or defects.

Cleaning Your Structure for Winter

1. Remove all dirt, debris and spider webs from the play structure using a broom, blower or vacuum. We also use a paint scraper to get the debris out of the cracks between the decking boards. Remove trims as needed to clean out any accumulation of debris between boards - this can cause rot over time.

2. Latch any doors or window shutters that might get caught in the wind.

3. Inspect the structure for any loose or damaged boards. Remove or secure as needed.
   
   

Re-Staining your Structure

If your structure is looking a little worn or weather beaten, a fresh re-stain is a great way to freshen it up and keep it looking new for years to come!

Check out our resources for details on re-staining your structure or contact us to get a quote for us to re-stain the structure for you.

Before and After’s

A few recent maintenance and re-stain’s we have performed for play structure owners.