How to maintain your trampoline for safe family use

Why a little routine maintenance goes a long way

A trampoline is one of the best investments you can make for a family garden. It gets children outdoors, burns off energy and gives them a bit of independence while you keep an eye from the kitchen window. But it is also a piece of outdoor equipment that lives with rain, wind, frost and enthusiastic feet all year round.

The good news is that keeping it safe takes far less time than you might think. A few minutes each week, plus a proper check at the start of each season, will catch most problems long before they become dangerous. If you get into the habit of inspecting as you tidy, you will spot a frayed net or a stretched spring almost without trying.

Start with a steady walkaround

Before you look at any individual part, give the whole trampoline a gentle once-over. Push it lightly from a few different points and see whether it rocks. A trampoline that shifts or lifts at one corner is not stable enough for jumping, however good the mat looks.

• Check that all legs are sitting flat on level ground, not sunk into soft soil.
• Look at anchor stakes or ground anchors and make sure they are still firmly in place.
• Press down on the frame joints and listen for creaks or knocking, which often point to loose bolts.
• Run a hand along the frame for rust spots, especially where paint has chipped.

If you have a spanner to hand, tighten any bolts that feel slack. A quarterly check with a spanner is a sensible routine, and it is worth doing after any particularly windy spell.

Springs, hooks and the jumping mat

The springs do most of the hard work, so they deserve the closest attention. Walk around the trampoline and look at each spring in turn. You are checking for springs that have stretched longer than their neighbours, coils that have snapped, and hooks that have bent outwards.

• Stretched springs make the bounce uneven, which is how children end up landing awkwardly on one side.
• Bent or open hooks can catch on clothing or skin, and they indicate the mat is under uneven tension.
• Rusty springs are weaker than they look and should be replaced in sets rather than one at a time.

Next, examine the mat itself, paying particular attention to the stitching around the spring loops and the reinforced edge. Loose threads, visible fraying or a mat that has gone chalky and pale are all signs that the sun has done its work. A mat with a small tear near the edge will only get bigger, so replace it rather than patching it with tape.

Padding, netting and the enclosure

Safety padding is there to cushion a fall onto the frame or springs, so it needs to be thick, dry and in the right place. Lift the pads and check underneath. Damp foam that has gone crumbly or hard has lost most of its protective value, and you will usually find moss or mould starting to grow between the pad and the frame.

Move on to the netting and poles. The net should be taut but not drum-tight, and the top ring or sleeve should sit well above head height for your tallest child. Check for:

• holes or pulled threads near the entrance, where children push through most often
• a zip or clip that no longer closes properly, which defeats the purpose of an enclosure
• worn foam sleeves on the poles, which can crack and expose bare metal
• frayed straps or ties at the base, which let the net flap and drift

If the net has a small repair to make, do it straight away. If several panels are worn through, a replacement net is usually the simpler and safer option.

Weather, debris and where the trampoline sits

Clear leaves, twigs, toys and stones from the mat before every session. Debris underfoot is one of the most common causes of knocks, and it also works its way into the springs and stitching. A soft brush and a quick sweep takes seconds.

Think about the ground beneath the trampoline too. Long grass hides damage and traps moisture around the frame, while bare, compacted soil offers no cushioning. Most families find that a patch of grass kept short, or a dedicated mat, works well.

In high winds, do not let children jump, and consider taking the net down if a storm is forecast, as nets act like sails. After any severe weather, repeat your walkaround check before letting anyone back on.

A simple seasonal routine

At the start of spring, give the trampoline a full service: wash the mat and pads with mild soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly, tighten every bolt, and replace any springs, pads or nets that have seen better days. Mid-season, repeat the spring and stitching check. As winter approaches, either store removable parts indoors or invest in a fitted cover, and check the frame for rust again once the worst of the weather has passed.

Finally, remember that maintenance goes hand in hand with sensible use. One jumper at a time, no shoes, no food or drinks on the mat, and a clear weight limit will all extend the life of your trampoline considerably. Replace parts as soon as they fail rather than waiting for a full overhaul, and your children will have a safe, springy, reliable place to play for years to come.