Things You'll Need:
- Ratchet set / wrench
- Screwdriver
- Weather sealant / stain
- Paint brush / roller / sprayer
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Step 1
Before you can worry about maintaining the set in a safe manner, you need to ensure it was installed safely. Make sure the swing set was installed on level ground and has at least a 6 foot clearance in all directions. Make sure the ground beneath the swings is soft. Sand is good, but messy. Regular mulch doesn't have much give. Rubber mulch is good, but expensive (you're looking at thousands of dollars, perhaps, for a 6 inch base around the whole set).
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Step 2
On a regular basis, inspect the swingset. Check the chains of the swings to make sure they're in good condition. Check the swings themselves, to make sure there are no cracks. Make sure no boards are falling off. I've seen some 1x boards stapled on, only to fall off and have protruding tips. Screwing them back into place is the best option.
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Step 3
Don't forget mother nature. Keep an eye out, especially underneath any raised clubhouse, for things such as bees' and hornets' nests. Know what other pests might be in your area - brown recluse spiders, perhaps, and keep an eye out for them. Don't forget to keep the grass around the set trimmed to discourage ticks.
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Step 4
At least annually, tighten all screws and bolts.
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Step 5
Weatherize. Get the color weather sealant/stain you want and brush, roll, or spray on. Brushing may take more time, but will most likely be the neatest option. Spraying will be fast, but a little less precise. Do this before it gets too cold outside and give it time to dry before the kids begin to play on it again. You will have to do this at various intervals, depending on how long the weather sealant is supposed to last and what kind of beating your kids give the set. It could be as often as annually, but I have seen some sealants that advertise being good up to 4 years.
Comments
kims3003 said
on 11/20/2009 NICE JOB - GREAT INFO.