If you have a bunch of rowdy kids that need keeping busy, sending them out to jump on the trampoline is a perfect solution.
Cold weather will not break a trampoline, however, it can suffer damage due to continued exposure to moisture. Snow is especially harmful to trampolines because it will rust the trampoline frame and weigh down the mat. When that happens, the trampoline will become unsafe for use.
The cold itself probably isn’t going to cause problems with your trampoline but that certainly doesn’t mean you should leave it out all year long. Here are a few things that every trampoline owner should know and practice for the cold winter months!
Can I Leave My Trampoline up During Winter?
Here’s the thing about leaving a trampoline up during the winter: it comes with a few risks. The weather starts to get cold around September-October but you’re usually fine to leave it up during the fall when the kids can still enjoy it. Again, the cold itself is not where the issue lies. The issue lies with what the cold weather brings.
The biggest threat your trampoline will face is probably going to come in the form of snow. Now, depending on where you live, this may or may not be an issue. If you are native to a warm, snowless area, then you could probably leave your trampoline up year-round without any difficulty.
However, if you live out west or up north, it might be a different story. If snow is allowed to sit on your trampoline for weeks, possibly months on end, bad things might happen.
Most trampoline frames are treated to be rustproof and waterproof which means you may not have to worry about it too much.
However, if you’ve created a habit of leaving the frame out in the snow every single year, you’re going to eventually wind up with a weakened frame. Rust can eventually start to creep along the welds and joints of your trampoline’s legs which will compromise the frame’s integrity and make it less suitable for use.
An inch of snow probably won’t cause too many problems. However, if you live somewhere like Idaho, Utah, or Wyoming, you’re more likely to be getting feet of snow during the winter.
- Having three or more feet of snow sitting on your trampoline mat will start to stretch and sag the mat down.
- This will make it a lot less bouncy but it will also make it less safe for use.
- Whether you leave your trampoline up during the winter is completely your choice, just know that it’s not recommended.
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Worn-Down Trampoline: The Warning Signs
If you have been leaving your trampoline out in the snow for years you might now be wondering whether or not yours is still safe for your kids and you to be using.
It’s not hard to tell if a trampoline is in bad shape, but it can’t hurt to talk about a couple of warning signs (source) and make sure you’re paying attention to them.
If you start to notice that the metal has become rusty or warped in any way that could be a concerning factor.
This is especially true if the legs have become corroded and twisted or the circular frame is bent out of shape. The last thing you want is for the frame to snap, especially if that happens while somebody’s jumping on it.
- You should also pay close attention to the mat.
- A hole can start tiny but with continued use, it will start to get bigger and bigger until there’s no way it can be jumped on without danger of somebody falling through it.
- These holes can be repaired, but they must be repaired extremely well to tolerate several people jumping on the mat.
The mat should also be deemed unsafe if it starts to sag and loses its bounce. It’s from hard experience that I learned you should try not to jump hard on a saggy trampoline mat.
If you do, you run the risk of jumping right through it, falling to the ground, and injuring your legs. So, if the mat begins to become less and less bouncy, that might be your first hint that it’s time for replacing.
Winterizing a Trampoline
When winter rolls around, you have two options regarding your trampoline. Either you can pack it all away or you can use a few tricks to winterize it and enjoy it during the snow as well. Let’s talk a little more about winterization, shall we?
If you want to pack the trampoline away, then by all means do so! It’ll keep it in good shape and last you much longer. Now, we all know what the hassle of putting away a trampoline is and it’s an arduous process.
So, if you’d like, simply remove the springs and the mat and keep those in storage. The frame might garner a little rust over time, but because it’s largely rustproof and very durable, this shouldn’t be too much of a concern. The mat and springs are what will get ruined by the snow.
If you want to have fun in the snow and on the trampoline, there are a few things you can do to ensure your trampoline’s “safety” as it were. If you have a border pad, keeping the springs covered and protected shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Just make sure they stay dry and warm so they don’t get all rusty and break.
When snow falls, the first thing you should do is get outside and shovel it all off the trampoline. This will prevent your trampoline from getting weighed down with too much snow and stretching out permanently afterward.
You should also be careful to give it a sweep after bad windstorms. Dirt and debris aren’t any better for a trampoline than pounds of heavy snow.
If you live somewhere that experiences severe wind around winter, you might want to invest in some specialized wind anchors to keep your trampoline secured to the ground.
Because yes, trampolines can blow about in the wind if it’s bad enough, and that certainly won’t do your tramp any favors. As long as you pay special attention to it during the winter, you’ll have nothing to worry about.