Playground Surfacing Maintenance Guide

Routine maintenance helps loose-fill playground surfacing remain evenly distributed, properly contained, and ready for continued use.

Inspect High-Traffic Areas

Check beneath swings, at slide exits, below climber entrances, around transfer points, along pathways, and near playground entrances. These areas commonly experience the greatest surfacing displacement.

Maintain the Required Depth

Redistribute displaced material and add compatible surfacing when needed. The maintained depth must meet the requirements for the playground equipment, surfacing system, and applicable project standards.

Inspect Wear Mats

Confirm that wear mats remain flat, stable, correctly positioned, and surrounded by properly distributed surfacing. Reset shifted mats and correct exposed or raised edges.

Inspect Borders and Entrances

Check playground borders, stakes, anchors, joints, ramps, and entrance transitions. Reset loose or shifted border sections and keep accessible routes clear.

Maintain Drainage

Remove debris from drainage paths, border openings, and low areas. Correct standing water, erosion, washout, or underlying grade problems that affect the surfacing.

Document and Correct Problems

Record inspection dates and address displaced surfacing, exposed base material, damaged mats, loose borders, drainage problems, foreign objects, and other observed conditions promptly.

Follow the surfacing manufacturer’s current inspection and maintenance instructions for the installed system.

For replacement surfacing, wear mats, borders, or maintenance assistance, call or text (210) 512-9888.