Wooden structures that are outdoors and frequently used should be protected before the onset of winter, when they are exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Maintenance is especially necessary for wooden playgrounds, which are not only supposed to look nice, but above all must be safe for children. Your first step should be a thorough cleaning of the entire structure, for example, using a pressure washer. Do the same with other wooden equipment – swinging swings, ladders, a house or a small climbing wall. Once the wood is dry, move on to assess the condition of the entire yard. On a clean surface, you will more easily spot any damage that has occurred, which should be repaired right away . If a component is badly damaged, don’t take any chances and replace the part with a new one.

Fill the resulting cavities with a special putty, and sand the wood with sandpaper. You’ll need two gradations – a low one for removing splinters and major damage, and a high one for smoothing and dulling. To do this, it is worth following the principle of doubling the granularity. What this means. If you decide to use P60 sandpaper, later reach for P120, and finish the work with a gradation of 240. This will allow you to level the surface very precisely, and also improve the absorbency of the wood during impregnation.

Maintenance

Remove the remaining dust after smoothing. You can do this with compressed air or a cotton cloth. Then wipe all the elements with extraction gasoline, which is an effective degreaser. Now you can proceed to waterproofing. The choice of protective products is very large, but it is best to bet on multi-purpose acrylic paints or water-based stain and varnish. Each will increase the wood’s resistance to frost, moisture, friction, impact, as well as protect it from cracking and rotting. The aesthetic qualities of the entire playground will also be improved. Remember to apply the impregnating agent in uniform motions, following the direction of the grain.

If your children’s playground has metal joints or chains at the swings, be sure to check that they are properly tightened and oiled. If you notice traces of rust, it is mandatory to remove them, and then cover the components with special paint to protect them from renewed corrosion.