Your wooden climbing frame is designed and constructed from quality materials with your child's safety a key priority. As with all wooden garden products it will weather and wear. To maximise the enjoyment, safety and life of your garden play equipment, it is important that you maintain it.
Beginning of Play Season
Hardware
Check metal parts for rust. Parts are zinc coated to prevent rust, but if found sand and re-paint using a lead-free paint.
Inspect and tighten all hardware. On wood assemblies DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN as to cause crushing and splintering of wood.
Check for sharp edges or protruding screw threads, add washers if required.
Safety Surface
Check for foreign objects. Rake and check depth of loose fill surfacing materials to prevent compaction and maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Ground Stakes (Anchors)
Check for looseness, damage and deterioration. The ground anchor should firmly anchor the play equipment to the ground during use. Re-secure and replace if necessary.
Swing Hangers
Check that they are secure and orientated correctly. Hook should rotate freely and perpendicular to support beam.
If squeaking occurs then lubricate the bushing with oil or WD40.
Swings, Ropes & Rides
Re-install if removed during winter. Check all moving parts inclusing swing seats, ropes, chains and attachments for wear, rusts and other deterioration. Replace as needed.
Check that ropes are tight, secure at both ends and cannot loop back as to create an entrapment.
Wood Parts
Check all wood for deterioration, structural damage and splintering. Sand down splinters and replace any deteriorated wooden parts. As with all wood, some checking and small cracks in grain is perfectly normal.
Check metal parts for rust. Parts are zinc coated to prevent rust, but if found sand and re-paint using a lead-free paint.
Inspect and tighten all hardware. On wood assemblies DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN as to cause crushing and splintering of wood.
Check for sharp edges or protruding screw threads, add washers if required.
Safety Surface
Check for foreign objects. Rake and check depth of loose fill surfacing materials to prevent compaction and maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
During the Play Season - Monthly
Swing Hangers
Check that they are secure and orientated correctly. Hook should rotate freely and perpendicular to support beam.
If squeaking occurs then lubricate the bushing with oil or WD40.
Swings, Ropes & Rides
Re-install if removed during winter. Check all moving parts including swing seats, ropes, chains and attachments for wear, rusts and other deterioration. Replace as needed.
Check that ropes are tight, secure at both ends and cannot loop back as to create an entrapment.
After the Play Season
Safety Surface
Rake and check depth of loose fill surfacing materials to prevent compaction and maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Ground Stakes (Anchors)
Check for looseness, damage and deterioration. The ground anchor should firmly anchor the play equipment to the ground during use. Re-secure and replace if necessary.
Swings, Ropes & Rides
To prolong their life, remove swings and swing accessories and store indoors once the temperature drops below freezing. Below freezing plastic becomes more brittle.
Some of the bolts on your climbing frame will go through the timber and into a t-nut. This ensures that even as the wood expands and contracts, the bolts are still held tightly. Please note, if the bolt protrudes the t-nut then you should use an additional washer. This ensures there's no sharp edges for your children to catch themselves on.
When using bolts or screws, be sure to not screw them into the wood too hard. Over-tightening them will only serve to crack the wood and cause splinters.
When using bolts or screws, be sure to not screw them into the wood too hard. Over-tightening them will only serve to crack the wood and cause splinters.
