Man sweeping leaves and debris from his trampoline.
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How to Care for Your Trampoline

When you purchase a trampoline for your family, the care and maintenance of the new equipment is crucial from day one. This is the time to review the rules, such as jumping without shoes to preserve the mat or limiting the number of jumpers for safety as well as preventing the mat and springs to stretch too far. You also need rules for the accessories as well, such as no climbing up the safety net. These guidelines are important for your family’s safety and the long-term care of the trampoline.

Prolong the Life of the Trampoline with Proper Placement

Naturally, you wouldn’t put your trampoline in a place that could potentially hurt the users, such as under low-hanging branches or near fencing. Location is also important to the maintenance of your equipment. Shady areas can prevent sun damage and makes it less painful for sunny-day jumping.

Care for your trampoline with proper placement Placement can also protect a trampoline from more unpredictable harm. I had a neighbor who liked to burn leaves and sticks in a nice, roaring bonfire each season. One time, he got the flames so high that embers drifted in the breeze over to his daughter’s trampoline about 15 feet away. He quickly moved it further from the fire pit, but not until the damage was done and the mat was singed with small burn holes.

Weatherproof Your Trampoline

Outdoor trampolines are designed and constructed to withstand much of what the climate may bring. Many kids have been known to jump on their trampoline year-round. A quality trampoline has a rust-resistant frame and a rugged mat, but weatherproofing can make your trampoline last longer.

If you have the storage space, you can remove the mat each fall and leave the frame in its same spot. Springs can be stored in a plastic container and oiled when they come out for the warmer season. Even by removing the safety net, rolling the trampoline ring onto its side and leaning it against a sturdy tree or fence can help keep leaves and snow off the mat. Be sure that there are no sharp objects in the vicinity to cause damage.

Heavy, wet leaves and snow on the mat can weaken it to a point that the first jumper of the spring will jump their way straight through! If you choose to leave your trampoline in its spot year-round, remember to remove anything that accumulates. You can start in the center of the mat and work your way out. Your child may want to do this to gather as much snow for snowballs and a snow fort. A soft bristle brush or broom is ideal so leave your rakes and shovels on the ground.

Weatherproof your trampoline against bad weather to prolong its life. Some trampoline owners swear by their protective cover. It protects the mat from frost and makes it easier to keep the mat clean when snow and leaves fall. It is a personal preference whether or not to invest in the trampoline cover and which style, but the preventative measure of covering the padding and mat can be a money saver when you consider that the cost of the cover is less than the replacement cost of the mat and padding.

Some regions are prone to high winds. I have seen cases where trampolines fly into a neighbor’s yard. Some homeowner’s insurance may cover “acts of God” due to weather, but you can prevent the potential damage to personal property and cleanup thereafter. Trampoline covers sometimes help anchor the equipment to the ground to prevent it from going airborne. Another option is using an anchor kit. If anything, it gives peace of mind when the winds start blowing and you don’t have to run out to anchor it last minute with random items in the yard.

Warranty Coverage

Many companies offer a product warranty for a limited time period. It is important to keep it in an easy place to find in case of unforeseen problems. Retail stores as well as manufacturers may offer exchanges, repairs, or replacements for your equipment. Additional warranty coverage may be offered beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. This can help when you have made all efforts to preserve your trampoline.

One benefit to the warranty is that the retailer or manufacturer can identify you quickly in case of recalls or updates by having your information on file. If you are concerned about excessive spam or unsolicited contact, you can opt out of unnecessary mailings or email.

Get warranty for your trampoline to cover unforseen events. When you purchase your trampoline, you can put your proof of purchase, model and serial numbers in a safe place where you keep your important papers and purchase records. Proof of purchase can be an order confirmation email, receipt, or packing list. The model and serial numbers may be on the proof of purchase or on the mat. By obtaining these numbers soon after purchase, you won’t have to search for them later when it may be worn off from weeks of fun and use. In order to make a claim, the company may ask for a photo of the defect and details of when and how the damage was caused or when it was first noticed.

The care of your trampoline can be as routine as maintaining your outdoor space. It is an easy task for your children to work together to cover the trampoline or clear off any debris. The manufacturer’s warranty can help in the timeframe when some incidents come up and you need to replace or repair a part. A trampoline is an investment to health and fun, so it is important to keep the equipment in working order.

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11 Comments

  1. I found that covering my trampoline in yogurt helps right before a storm. You can even cover it with a smoothie of any sort. The surface is to slick and the snow falls right off!

  2. We are wondering if it’s ok to use a skateboard deck (minus the wheels and trucks) on the trampoline?

    1. Hi, jb – Thanks for stopping by. Yes, you could use a skateboard deck (minus the wheels and trucks) on a trampoline, but I wouldn’t condone it for safety reasons. That’s not to say you couldn’t do it. Here’s a video of some skateboarders who are doing just that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxykkCh7Mh0

  3. Thanks for these tips Allyson. I saw a video on youtube where a guy put a bucket under the trampoline mat in the winter to support the weight of the snow. Would you recommend doing this?

    1. Hi! Thanks for stopping by.

      Yes, as long as you’re careful. Trampolines can get very slippery when wet, which can make them dangerous. The metal can also rust over time if it’s constantly wet.

      Hope that helps.

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