Rubber playground surfaces are often touted as needing very little maintenance. But, little doesn’t mean zero. Even though they’re not as care-intensive as other types of playground surfaces, rubber playground surfaces still need proper care.
How much care it needs depends on where it’s placed. For example, is the surface under direct sunlight? If it’s under a lot of shade, it can develop algae or moss. But, if it’s under a lot of sunlight, the material might degrade in certain areas faster compared to others and will need to be fixed for safety reasons.
Both will need to be inspected for and checked. Algae and moss, in particular, can make the playground surface look dirty. At the same time, their presence can make the playground unsafe, general, as they can make the surface more slippery.
Regular maintenance is crucial, not only for safety but also for financial reasons. If properly taken care of, rubber playground surfaces can last longer and will need fewer repairs over the years.
But, how exactly do you clean a rubber playground surface?
Cleaning Rubber Playground Surfaces Tips
1. Remove any build-up of dirt, dust, and grime regularly by sweeping or vacuuming over the area daily. You should never let dust, dirt, or grime, build up on the surface.
2. Apply moss killers or a low sud detergent for a more extensive clean at least once a year. Ideally, you’ll want to do it twice, or even thrice, for playground areas that are used regularly.
3. Clean up any food or drink that spills onto the surface as soon as possible. If it has been stained, use a mixture of warm water and detergent to remove the stains and any excess drink or food.
4. Never let water stagnate. Although playground surfaces are often designed to make sure that water drains well and rubber does a great job at this, sometimes, water can still stagnate. The water parks, especially, should be drained as often as possible. Both should also be surface cleaned regularly to prevent any build-up and remove residue.
5. Avoid using anything sharp or a harsh chemical to surface clean the playground surface. Using solvents, petroleum, harsh detergents, chemical cleaners, and even mechanical brushes, especially regularly, can lead to permanent damage that can result in costly repairs.
6. For cleaning up oil, gum, and water-based or even oil-based paint, you can use a solution of water and detergent and slowly brush away on the stained area.
Can You Use Pressure Washers to Clean Rubber Playground Surfaces?
Yes. You can. Pressure washers can make cleaning rubber playground surfaces a whole lot easier.
Make sure that you set the water pressure to the lowest setting possible and use the lance attachment so as not to physically damage the rubber playground surface.
You can use low-pressure water and a broom to gently clean out debris and dirt from the rubber playground surface every month or so. You can also use mild detergent for added cleaning power, especially during the Autumn months.
You can also use pressure washers to clean out moss and mold from the rubber playground surface. Again, don’t forget to set it to low. Then, once you’re done cleaning the area, treat it using mild household-grade algae- or mold-killer for better effect.
When Should You Call a Professional?
If possible, try to call professionals to deep-clean the rubber playground surface at least once a year or every other year.
The truth is, no matter what you do, the best that you can do to keep the playground surface clean is only on a surface level. Your lack of professional experience and costly professional-grade equipment means that it’s too cost-prohibitive to try to deep clean the rubber playground surface yourself.
Now, how important is deep cleaning the playground? Very.
Because playgrounds are outside, they are subject to the elements constantly. It’s not just the kids that have an impact on the structural integrity and safety of the rubber playground surface. Wildlife as well can contribute to the dirt and germs that may become embedded deeply under the rubber playground surface.
Only professionals have the know-how and equipment to get deeply-embedded dirt and germs out.
Make sure that you only hire professionals that have tried-and-tested track history that also use biodegradable cleaning products that are 100% safe for the environment and the kids who will be playing on the playground.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if there’s a legal requirement to keep your playground clean or not. Kids must be left to play in environments that are both safe and clean as well. This is all to ensure the well-being of all the children who will go on and spend hours playing on the playground.
Outside of safety, it also makes a lot of financial sense to take proper care of the rubber playground surface. For one, they’re not exactly cheap. This means that taking good care of them can go a long way in helping you save money from costly repairs and replacements.
Regular cleaning of the rubber playground surface, both from yourself and professionals, is the best way to keep it safe and clean, as well as help guarantee that it lasts for a long