As the weather turns, days get damper, and leaves start to pile up, it’s the perfect time to give your wooden play equipment some attention. Whether it’s a climbing frame in the garden, or a play area in your pub, hotel, holiday park, school or attraction, a few simple steps now will keep it safe, strong and ready for play all through autumn and winter.
The good news is that you don’t need to do much. Our play equipment is made from pressure-treated timber, designed to withstand the elements for years. All it takes is a quick look every so often and knowing what’s normal as the seasons change.
Over summer, timber dries out and shrinks, especially in sunny, south-facing spots, and small cracks (shakes and checks) open up. As the air gets damper in autumn and winter, the wood absorbs moisture and expands, and many of those cracks close again.
This is the wood breathing as it adapts to the seasons. It’s completely normal and doesn’t affect the strength or performance of the timber. If you ever see something that worries you, email us a few photos and we’ll take a look.
That shrinking and expanding can also change how well the coach screws grip the wood. If any joints feel loose, give the bolts a tighten. Don’t over-tighten, as you could strip the thread in the wood and weaken the connection.
This is the biggest winter hazard. Damp air and fallen leaves can make playdecks, bridges and gangplanks slippery. Where there are trees nearby, algae can also grow on surfaces. A few simple habits help:
In late autumn, as temperatures drop but stay above freezing, humid air and heavy morning dew can keep the surface of the wood damp, and you may spot some surface mildew. It can also reappear in early spring as things warm up.
There’s nothing to worry about. It lives on the surface, feeding on moisture, dust and pollen rather than the wood fibres, and thanks to the pressure-treated timber it doesn’t affect structural integrity. To clear it, use a household mildew spray (read the label first), or a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water, or dish soap and water. Leave it for up to 30 minutes, scrub with a soft brush and wipe dry.
The rich yellow colour of the new Southern Yellow Pine will gradually turn silver as the seasons pass. It’s a natural patina and part of the character of the timber.
Our pressure-treated timber climbing frames are made to withstand the British weather, and a few minutes of care as the weather changes keeps it safe and looking its best. For more advice, see our care guide, find out more about our timber, or get in touch if you have questions about your frame.
