Trampoline Winter Care

How to Winterize a Trampoline

Congratulations! You just spent 3-5 hours installing one of the best family gifts you will ever buy. It is likely after you set up your new backyard trampoline, your children jumped everyday during winter break. But now that they're back in school, your trampoline will probably sit idle until warmer weather. As winter creeps on, you will want to follow these trampoline winter care instructions to ensure your investment is protected.

#1. Keep snow OFF the trampoline: The trampolines are meant to be left outside all year round and are weather-proofed for extreme temperatures, however, the sheer weight of the snow can exceed the overall weight limit on the trampoline.

• Recommended trampoline winter care: remove pad, jumping surface and springs until warmer weather. This would be ideal especially in areas of the country where you know you won't be jumping on the trampoline for a few months. The rest of the trampoline can remain installed if you choose.
• Use a push-broom to knock off the snow; un-tie a bungee or two and lift up the netting for an easy way to get the snow out.
• Do NOT use a shovel; this can tear or gouge your jumping surface.
• Do NOT use a snow blower if it blows hot; this could possibly burn or melt the mat fabric or PVC vinyl padding.

#2. Anchor your investment: Even during a minor storm, if wind hits the underside of the trampoline surface, it can cause the trampoline to tip. Though JumpSport and AlleyOOP Sports trampolines have substantial (starting at almost 200 lbs), even the heaviest of trampolines is not exempt from tipping. Before installing anchors carefully plan and consider yard placement. Side yards where wind is considerably reduced are a great place for trampolines. If you have a tree(s) or shed within 2 feet of the frame (the recommended distance) this would also break up the wind and will help significantly.

• Recommended: Use an Anchor Kit Accessory. Long stakes cork-screw down into the ground and work in conjunction with 4 removable straps that secure the legs of your trampoline securely to the ground.
  • Expert tip: Go a step further and cement the anchors in the ground by digging holes and pouring concrete, leaving only the loop at the top. The straps are removable so the trampoline can still be moved for mowing or storage, but the anchors will stay secure in the ground when you move it back.
• Sand-bags can straddle the frame of your trampoline if a storm is coming and you haven't had a chance to properly anchor the trampoline, though consider this a temporary solution until the storm blows over.
• Do NOT bury the trampoline frame. Submerging the frame or cementing takes away the ability for the frame to flex and can cause stress on integral joints.

#3. Cover it up!: In regions where snow isn't as prevalent, consider a Weather Cover Accessoryto keep debris off the surface after being blown down onto the trampoline. Though our weather cover is most beneficial in the summer to keep direct sun off the mat and pad, it can act as a barrier from pokey branches or leaves. Push brooms work well to get debris off the cover.

For other practical or fun accessories, visit our site at  https://alleyooptrampolines.com/trampoline-accessories/.