Now that you have finally succeeded in building your swing set, the next matter of concern is how to maintain wooden swing set. Regular maintenance is essential to extend the shelf-life of the swing set and ensure the complete safety of your kids. It also eliminates the need to regularly replace the swing set or keep investing in damaged parts, hardware, or accessories.
Fortunately, swing set maintenance does not require a lot of time or effort if you know what you are doing. But if this is the first time you’ve purchased a wooden swing set and don’t know anything about its maintenance? Don’t worry, as this detailed post will provide all the information you need.
If you have recently installed a wooden swing set in your backyard, here are the maintenance tips you should follow-
1. Staining and Sealing the Wood
One of the most effective ways to keep wooden swing sets looking and working like a new one for an extended duration is staining and sealing the wood. The majority of the swing sets made from wood come pre-stained and pre-sealed. You can also find models that have a coating of vinyl polymer for improved durability and protection.
But if the swing set you have purchased is not stained/sealed, it’d be wise to get it done at the earliest. Here’s what you should know about wood staining and sealing-
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Wood Staining
Staining helps prevent wood rotting and preserving the aesthetics of the swing set. It will also protect the playset against moisture and sun. The swing set should be stained once every 2-3 years.
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Wood Sealing
As for sealing, it is generally recommended that wooden playsets be sealed within 2 months after construction. You can consider any good quality waterproof sealant for additional moisture protection. The wooden swing set should also be resealed every 2-3 years.
2. Regular Inspection
Another easy yet highly effective tip to maintain wooden swing set is inspecting it at regular intervals. Regularly inspecting and assessing the condition of the playset will make it easier for you to detect any problems or damages in the early stage. During inspections, give special attention to all the plastic components, small hardware, and swing chains.
Also, watch out for screws and bolts to ensure that they are not sticking out, damaged, or have any sharp edges. If the kids use the wooden swing set throughout the year, you can consider thoroughly inspecting the playset once every month. But if the swing set is not used during the winter, inspect it in the spring right before the swing set regains its popularity among the kids.
3. Cleaning the Swing Set
The swing set should also be cleaned regularly to protect it from long-term damages due to moisture rotting or tough stains. Regular cleaning will also help in maintaining the aesthetics of the swing set. Also, it is essential to clean the swing set thoroughly before resealing or re-staining as it will help remove the accumulated dirt and debris.
In fact, you can also involve your kids in the cleaning process, and they’d probably enjoy the experience too. Here are some cleaning tips that you should keep in mind-
- You can simply wipe down the playset and its accessories every few months to remove the dust and stains.
- If the swing set is properly sealed and stained, power washing is also an option worth considering.
- Alternatively, you can also use any mild washing soap and water hose for cleaning.
- If you’ll be using a brush, ensure that it has soft bristles.
4. Remove the Detachable Components During Winters
If the wooden swing set will not be used for a considerable duration like during winters or when you are traveling, it should be fully covered in a tarp. If you don’t have a tarp cover for securing the entire playset, an excellent alternative is to remove all the detachable components and accessories to store them inside your home to protect them from damage.
The rope ladder, swings, canopy roof, and gliders can generally be easily detached in most of the swing sets. You can go through the installation or maintenance guide of the swing set to know more about the components that can be easily and safely detached from the set.
5. Never Forget the Weight Recommendations
One tip to maintain wooden swing set you should never ignore is its weight recommendation. Whether you’ve purchased a standard or custom swing set, it’ll always have a certain weight limit. It is vital to follow this weight limit as exceeding the recommendation could damage the swing set and can also lead to injuries.
Even if the playset is new and looks very sturdy and durable, you should never exceed the weight limit. No matter how hard you try, it won’t be possible for you to monitor the kids around the swing set all the time. Thus, it’d be better if you also try to help your kids understand the importance of the weight recommendation. Following the weight limit will protect your kids against injuries and enhance the lifespan of the wooden swing set. To enhance safety and avoid any accidents use some of these valuable materials to put under your swing set.
6. Consider Purchasing a Maintenance-Free Swing Set
If you are still in two minds about whether or not you should purchase a swing set for your backyard, especially due to the regular maintenance requirements, a maintenance-free swing set can be an excellent option for you. Made from wood that is coated with a vinyl polymer, these swings sets are highly durable and have minimal maintenance requirements.
Moreover, they do not even require regular re-staining to help you save time, money, and effort. They are also splinter-free and don’t chip, peel, rot, or crack. Last but not least, these maintenance-free swing sets do not show any signs of weathering. As a result, they continue to look as good as new for years to come.
7. Look for an Online Store with Exceptional Customer Support
While you can take care of basic maintenance needs, you might need professional assistance at times to maintain wooden swing set. Therefore, before purchasing the swing set, you should thoroughly check the customer support service offered by the brand or online store. Not just during the sale or initial installation, the online store should offer after-sales support to help you with the maintenance.
As professionals better understand the maintenance requirements of the swing sets, their expertise and knowledge can help enhance their lifespan. One of the easiest ways to do this is to go through the customer reviews of the online store. If there are multiple positive reviews, especially about the customer service, you can go ahead and consider the store for your purchase.
The Correct Way to Maintain Wooden Swing Set
Maintenance is the only way to ensure that your wooden swing set continues to deliver the expected functionality for years to come. Apart from enhancing the lifespan of the product, regular maintenance is also essential for the safety of your kids.
To maintain wooden swing set, keep these tips in mind and only choose a reliable online store for the purchase for maximum convenience. Ensure that you check the customer reviews of the store before making the purchase, as they make it easier to separate reliable brands from ones that are not trustworthy.
* This article originated here
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