Winter is the season when snow falls the most in the world. It’s also the season when the coldest temperatures set in. As much as you may want to enjoy playing and exercising outdoors during the winter, having a trampoline outside can take a toll on it. During this season most people search for “how to protect your trampoline from snow in the winter?”
Because, the snow can accumulate on the trampoline and weigh it down, making it unsafe. If you live in a region that gets a lot of snowfall in the winter, you need to protect your trampoline from the snow.
There are a few things you can do to ensure your safety and the safety of your trampoline during the winter. In this article, we will discuss some of these things, including how to safely protect your trampoline from snow in the winter.
Why do you need to winterize your trampoline?
Good Trampolines which can cost above 500 dollars are designed to be used all year round. However, during the winter months, you should take extra precautions to make sure that your trampoline is safe and protected from the elements. There are a few reasons why you should winterize your trampoline, even if you don’t live in an area where it gets really cold.
Tree sap
During the winter months, some trees produce a sugary substance called sap that can cause damage to your trampoline. To protect your trampoline, cover it with a tarp or move it to a less vulnerable location.
Snow and ice
In areas that regularly experience heavy snowfall or ice storms, your trampoline may be at risk of getting damaged. To protect your trampoline, park it in a sheltered location. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you may want to consider putting your trampoline in a garage or building.
Higher wind
If you live in an area that experiences strong winds, your trampoline could be at risk of damage. To protect your trampoline, secure it to the frame with bungee cords or tie it down with rope.
Environmentally Friendly
It’s important to be environmentally friendly when it comes to winterizing your trampoline. In addition to protecting your trampoline from tree sap, snow, and strong winds, you should also try to minimize your carbon footprint. This means using renewable energy sources, conserving water, and using natural resources wisely.
When do you need to winterize your trampoline?
Before we jump into the steps on how you can protect your trampoline from snow in the winter, we should also know when you need to do it before that, so let’s jump onto this!
Your Trampoline Is Getting Old
Trampolines are expected to last about 10 years. If your trampoline is made of steel, it will last a little bit longer than those made of PVC, which usually last for about eight years.
If you’ve had your trampoline for more than ten years, then it’s time to winterize it before the first snowfall. Steel jumps can last as long as 20 or 25 years because they’re less exposed to UV rays and other elements like rain and snow.
A lot of the wear and tear on trampolines comes from sunlight and rainwater, so steel-framed models are better at fighting off these issues. But if you have a plastic model that is 8-10 years old, then it might be best to replace it with a new one before the seasons change.
What should you keep in mind when buying a new trampoline? The type of material makes all the difference in how long your trampoline will last.
Consider purchasing metal frames with thick pads in order to protect them from outside elements.
Once you’ve purchased your new trampoline, remember to winterize your old one by covering it with a tarp or buying a cover specifically designed for this purpose.
Your Trampoline Has Tears
One of the most common reasons for winterizing your trampoline is to protect it from tears. It’s bound to happen at some point in your trampoline’s life, and since you can’t patch up a tear in the cold weather, it makes sense to make sure that you fix any tears before winterizing.
If you have a larger tear, you may be better off replacing the mat entirely before winter because it will be more difficult to get a new mat on top of an old one.
If you don’t want to invest in a new mat right now, it’s worth taking a look at how much air is escaping through the tear. If there isn’t much air escaping and the mat still seems sturdy, layering two mats together may be enough to seal the gap until warmer days arrive again.
Alternatively, if there are lots of leaks or holes in your mat, it might be time to invest in a new one before they get worse this winter.
Your Trampoline Doesn’t Have Enclosed Feet
Trampolines are typically made with netting that is attached to the springs, which creates a “foot.” These feet act as an enclosure for the springs. Without these feet, your trampoline will start to lose bounce.
It’s possible for them to be taken off by strong winds or animals if they don’t have any protection. The only way to prevent this from happening is to winterize your trampoline right now by installing new enclosed feet.
Your Trampoline Has Lost Its Spot Requirements
The number one reason to winterize your trampoline right now is that it needs a tune-up. The summer sun can take a toll on springs and other parts of the trampoline.
The heat will affect the elasticity of the springs, which can cause them to break down quicker than they normally would in other seasons. Your trampoline has lost its spot requirements, and without proper maintenance, it could end up being hazardous for your family to use.
Your Trampoline Has Rusted Parts
One sign that your trampoline needs winterizing is rust. When the metal components of a trampoline start to corrode, they can create pitting in the metal, which will deteriorate and crack the protective coating on the trampoline mat.
This leaves it exposed to moisture that can cause rust to form quickly. The next part of your trampoline at risk for rusting is the springs.
Springs are covered in protective padding that can quickly get damaged if not properly maintained. When you see any signs of rusting or wear, it’s time to call a professional for winterization. Rusted springs will be less bouncy and might even break off if you jump on them too hard!
Your Trampoline Has Jump Buckles
At the end of trampoline life, it will also be impacted by jump buckles. This is when the springs in the mat go past their lifespan and start to pop out.
Jump buckles are common because they are exposed to so much wear and tear from kids jumping, bouncing, and more. The end result is that your trampoline may have some big holes in it that make it unsafe for use.
Now, if you noticed any of the above problems then it’s time for you to winterize your trampoline. Here, I think we’ve enough know-how now about winterizing a trampoline. Now let’s jump into the methods on how to protect your trampoline from snow in the winter.
How To Protect Your Trampoline From Snow in The Winter?
Pack It Up For The Winter
The best way to protect your trampoline in the winter is to pack it up and store it. This will help keep your trampoline free of snow, dirt, and anything else that might damage the surface.
To do this, you’ll need a storage bag for the trampoline or a tarp large enough to cover it. If you have an above-ground trampoline, you can likely store it with just one tarp. However, if you have an in-ground trampoline, you’ll need to dig a hole 3 feet deep and 2 feet wide for storage.
Keep in mind that this isn’t an option with snow on the ground as your risk of damaging the surface increases significantly.
Clear Away Snow Once A Day
Frequent snowfall means frequent cleaning every day of winter! Be sure to clear away any snow before it accumulates on your trampoline and ends up heavy. You can use a shovel or broom to do this quickly and easily.
Alternatively, try dumping salt or sand on top of the trampoline so the snow doesn’t stick if you don’t want to take the time to remove all of it every day.
Lay Down A Trampoline Cover
When you have a trampoline, your first thought is probably to lay down a cover for it. And there’s a good reason for that. It can help protect the trampoline from leaves, dirt, and other debris when it isn’t in use. But its true value is during the snow season.
A trampoline cover can keep snow off the trampoline when you’re not using it, which means less cleanup time and more exercise time. The key is to find one that’s heavy enough to handle snow but light enough that kids can take it on and off by themselves.
Install A Snow Shoe Over Your Trampoline
A snowshoe is a protective device that can be placed over your trampoline. It’s a simple way to prevent snow from accumulating on the top and sides of your trampoline.
A snowshoe is typically made of materials like PVC piping and a tarp. They’re easy to attach, and they work well in keeping the snow off your trampoline so you don’t have to worry about constantly removing it.
Stake Your Trampoline Out
Another step to protecting your trampoline in the winter is securing it. The trampoline should be staked down so that the wind doesn’t blow it away. The stakes should be placed at least six feet into the ground and should be no more than 12 inches apart. This will help keep your trampoline from being blown away by wind and snow during a storm.
Keep It Well Defined
You need to make sure your trampoline is well-defined. If you don’t, the snow will accumulate on the trampoline and it can become very heavy. You want to make sure the edge of your trampoline is defined so that no snow piles up around it.
And that is how you can protect your trampoline from any snow during winter!
Trampoline Tips For Snowy Conditions
Snow can really damage your trampoline, so it’s important to protect it. You’ll need to invest in a few things before the snow season arrives.
-A tarp:
Purchase a tarp that provides protection for your trampoline and also is large enough to cover the frame and safety net. The tarp should have grommets or rope at the corners so you can securely tie it down.
-Bungee cords:
Bungee cords are easy to use and will help secure the tamponade once you’ve got it secured with ropes or grommets. If you’re using bungee cords, get 3 or 4 of them in varying lengths so you can use them as needed.
-Umbrellas:
In areas where snow is expected, keep an umbrella on hand for precipitation protection for your trampoline during breaks between falls. Alternatively, you could purchase a canopy that provides protection from the snow without having to manually move it out from time to time.
-Lawn chairs:
You’ll need lawn chairs for sitting on when you’re up on the trampoline cleaning off snow in high places that are difficult to reach without climbing equipment like a ladder. Lawn chairs make this task much easier and safer than using just a ladder alone (or balancing precariously on top of the trampoline).
Conclusion
We hope this guide gives you the information you need to protect your trampoline in the winter. Please be sure to take precautions and clear out any debris that may cause your trampoline to malfunction.
In addition, please make sure your trampoline is properly maintained during the winter to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your family.
