If you’re like most indoor playground operators, you’ve spent a lot of time and money creating a safe, fun environment for families and kids. As you watch your customers enjoy your space, you probably ask yourself, “How long will this equipment last?” Knowing the lifespan of your indoor playground equipment is important for budgeting and ensuring your customers are safe and happy. You don’t want your worn-out equipment to make your business look shoddy or, worse, put kids in danger. So, how long will it last?
Typically, indoor playground equipment lasts anywhere from 5 to 15 years or longer. However, it depends on a few things, such as the quality of the materials, how much it’s used, how well it’s maintained, and the environment where it’s located. If you use commercial-grade materials and install your playground in an indoor environment, it will last longer. Also, if you build your playground to the safety standards of ASTM or EN1176, it will stand up to the rigors of high-traffic environments.
Regular inspections, prompt repairs, and consistent upkeep are key to prolonging the life of your playground equipment. Manufacturers that follow stringent safety standards typically produce equipment that is more resilient and able to withstand wear and tear over time. When properly maintained, some indoor playground components can even surpass the 15-year mark, providing long-term value for your investment.
What Affects Indoor Playground Equipment Lifespan?
Understanding the factors that affect the lifespan of your indoor playground equipment can help you make better decisions in maintaining it. Here are the key influences on durability:
Material Quality
The most important factor in how long your playground equipment will last is the quality of the materials. You need high-quality materials like tough plastics, fire-resistant foams, and metals that don’t rust. Equipment that meets the safety standards of EN1176 and ASTM will last longer than products made from cheaper, less durable materials.
Usage Frequency
High-traffic locations, such as busy family entertainment centers or huge trampoline parks, see a lot of use. The more often and the harder people use your equipment, the faster it will wear out. Normal wear and tear from heavy use can speed up the aging process, so it’s important that you pay close attention to how your equipment is performing and take care of it regularly.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is a big deal when it comes to how long anything lasts, and indoor playground equipment is no exception. Make sure you check your playground for loose bolts or ropes, Velcro that’s lost its stick, and other easy fixes. Not only will this make your playground equipment last longer, but it will also make it safer for kids to use.
Professional Installation
Making sure you put your playground equipment together correctly is critical to making it last and keeping it safe. If you put it together wrong or don’t do a great job, it might be wobbly, wear out faster, or be more dangerous. Working with experienced installers who understand the specifics of indoor playground equipment is a must.
Environmental Conditions
Even though indoor playgrounds are inside, the environment where you put your equipment still matters. For example, humidity, temperature changes, and bad air circulation can cause your equipment to break down, rust, or grow mold. You need to control the climate and check the environment regularly to make sure it’s not causing problems for your equipment.
How to Extend the Service Life of Indoor Playground Equipment
To make your indoor playground equipment last as long as possible, you need to think about it and take care of it. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of your investment:
Regular Inspections
The first thing you need to do to make sure your playground equipment lasts as long as possible – and is safe to use – is to inspect it regularly. Look for any signs of damage, loose equipment, worn ropes, hinges that stick and other problems. The frequency of inspection will vary depending on how busy your playground is. You could decide to do it daily, weekly or monthly. Just make sure you schedule it regularly and make written notes of anything you see.
Immediate Repairs When Necessary
In most cases, when there is damage to your indoor playground equipment, you won’t need to replace the whole structure. When you find something wrong, fix it right away. This keeps the structure safe and makes sure the damage doesn’t spread to other areas.
Ground Maintenance
The ground around and under your equipment is important too. If you have well-maintained ground areas—like padded flooring, foam mats and protective surfaces—they reduce the impact on your equipment and the kids using it, which reduces wear and tear over time.
Cleaning and Tidiness
If you’re running an indoor playground, you already know that hygiene is important. Asking families to take their shoes off and wear socks when they use the equipment can help to keep mud and dirt from outside off your equipment which will reduce the risk of scratches. You can also use manufacturer approved cleaning products on the equipment to make sure it stays clean and sanitary for the families that use it. Keep dirt and grit off the equipment will help to prevent scratches, which can age the equipment before it’s time.
Consider Buying Spare Parts
When you do need to replace a component of your indoor playground structure, you might have to wait for it to be manufactured, picked, packed, and shipped to you. Depending on what the part is, part or all of your playground may have to be off-limits to children and families while you wait. To avoid such delays, it’s not a bad idea to keep some spare parts on hand. The supplier you get your indoor playground equipment from should be able to provide you with a list of commonly replaced parts, and you can then decide which parts you want to keep for quick repairs.
Limit Capacity
When you run an indoor playground equipment business, the last thing you want to do is limit the number of customers you can have in a day, but when you operate an indoor playground facility, you may have to do this. Playground equipment is designed to handle a certain amount of weight and activity at a time, and if your equipment is constantly overloaded, it will wear out faster. Not to mention that fire codes and other regulations may limit the capacity of your facility. If you want your facility or equipment to last, make sure you don’t exceed the recommended capacity.
When Should You Replace Your Playground Equipment?
No matter how well you maintain your indoor playground equipment, it will eventually reach the end of its lifespan. But how can you tell when it’s time for a replacement? Here are some signs to watch for:
- Chipped Paint and Finishes: If the equipment starts to look worn out, it might be time for a refresh. Chipped or faded finishes can make the playground look unappealing and can even expose the material beneath to potential damage.
- Worn or Damaged Ropes or Nets: Check for fraying or weakening ropes, especially those that experience a lot of tension.
- Cracked or Damaged Plastic Components: Slides, tunnels, and other plastic elements can develop cracks or fractures over time, posing safety risks.
- Visible Wear on Structural Components: Bolts, clamps, metal joints, and other key components should be inspected for signs of wear, rust, or damage.
- Broken Parts that Can’t Be Replaced: If you encounter issues with parts that the manufacturer no longer supports, it may be time to consider an upgrade.
- Increased Maintenance Frequency: If you find yourself needing to perform repairs more frequently, it could be an indication that the equipment is nearing the end of its useful life.
- User Complaints: Pay attention to feedback from your customers and employees. If they’re reporting problems with the equipment or noting that it’s become less enjoyable to use, it might be time for an upgrade.
- Imbalance: Certain play elements, such as balance beams or swings, should remain level. If equipment is noticeably unbalanced, it could indicate structural issues that need attention.
What is the Average Cost of Maintaining Indoor Playground Equipment?
Maintenance costs can vary widely depending on the size of your indoor playground, the quality of your indoor playground equipment, and how often it’s used. However, regular maintenance is generally much less expensive than major repairs or full replacements. Investing in quality equipment upfront can also reduce long-term maintenance costs, as higher-quality materials typically require less frequent repairs. On average, budgeting around 5-10% of the equipment’s initial cost per year for maintenance is a good rule of thumb. This investment will help ensure the longevity of your playground equipment and protect the safety of your customers.
How Does the Warranty Affect the Lifespan of Indoor Playground Equipment?
Warranties are another important consideration when assessing the potential lifespan of your indoor playground equipment. Longer warranties often reflect the manufacturer’s confidence in their product’s durability. Equipment that comes with extended warranties is typically designed to last longer under normal conditions. Be sure to understand what warranty your indoor playground supplier offers and how long it lasts, as this can give you a good idea of when you might need to start considering a replacement.
Lebo Play guarantees the original customer that our playground equipment will not experience structural failure caused by faulty materials or workmanship when used and installed according to our published specifications. The Approved Equipment will be free from material and workmanship defects for 1 year from the completion date of the playground installation. Within this one year, we will perform any necessary repairs on the faulty parts of the play equipment free of charge or provide the necessary parts for self-installation if applicable.
Conclusion
Investing in indoor playground equipment is a big decision, and understanding how long it will last is important for the long-term success of your business. By using high-quality materials, building to safety standards, and keeping up with regular maintenance, you can make your equipment last longer and make sure that your customers have a safe, fun experience. Look for the signs that your equipment might need to be replaced, and always focus on safety and quality. While maintaining and replacing equipment can be a big investment, doing so will protect your business’s reputation and keep families coming back to your facility for years to come.
At Lebo Play, we are committed to providing high-quality indoor playground equipment that meets strict safety standards. No matter where you are, our indoor playground equipment is designed to bring joy and excitement to children all over the world. We hope this guide has been helpful and we look forward to helping you create a fantastic play area for your business. If you have any questions or need help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
