Top Benefits of Poured Rubber Surfacing for Playgrounds

Playgrounds typically have two primary goals — to let children have fun and to keep them safe. A play area that achieves these objectives can be considered a success. To accomplish this feat, you should consider using poured in place rubber for playgrounds instead of other flooring materials.

What Is Poured In Place Rubber?

Poured in Place (PIP) rubber is a type of surfacing material that provides an outstanding solution for playgrounds, especially when used by active individuals.

When installed correctly, it provides the flooring with a shock absorption layer for sufficient cushioning of falls from playground structures. In case a child loses their grip or footing, the floor offers adequate protection to reduce the risk of injuries.

Benefits of Poured In Place Rubber

When selecting a material for your playground flooring, you need to choose carefully, especially since children are prone to accidents. Using a poured in place rubber surfacing is an excellent choice because of the following benefits.

Safer

Poured rubber surfacing offers several advantages compared to other playground surfacing options. First, it can be designed to meet various fall height levels, depending on your needs. Different play structures have different heights, so this will depend on what your playground has available.

The next safety benefit is that a rubber surface is safer than solutions using wood chips or rubber mulch. Many parents complain about the injuries caused by pieces of wood chips or rubber mulch that can go into their kids’ shoes, clothing, and skin.

An important safety benefit of poured in rubber surfaces is that they maintain uniform impact resistance throughout the play area. Using loose-fill materials instead of rubber surfacing can result in inconsistent protection in case of falls because these can often be displaced.

Cleaner

Poured-in-place (PIP) rubber surfaces for playgrounds are some of the easiest playground surfaces to clean up and maintain. Most parents won’t have to worry about leaving their kids to play since this type of flooring doesn’t retain plant matter or dirt, unlike loose-fill materials.

Additionally, poured rubber dries quickly, which allows children to resume playtime after it rains.

Easy to Maintain

Compared to other surfaces, poured rubber playground surfacing doesn’t require too much effort to maintain. It only has to be cleaned occasionally to remain aesthetic.

Standard cleanup often requires just a leaf blower, although using approved cleaning solutions for a thorough wash may be performed at times. Washing away dirt and debris can help restore the surface to its original appearance.

Easy to Design

Poured rubber surfaces can provide you with the most flexibility in terms of aesthetics and design than any other playground flooring material. You can apply well-detailed designs to such surfaces using a range of available colors.

You can also combine it with other materials such as synthetic turf to make an innovative and multi-surface playground.

Oftentimes schools and public playgrounds use fun, bright colors to attract and entertain children. This can be done if you use a poured in rubber surface for your play area. Our rubber surfacing materials come in a wide variety of colors!

Costs Less

Since you won’t have to spend much in terms of yearly maintenance, poured rubber playground surfaces are more cost-effective in the long run. On average, establishments only need to do serious maintenance every 10 years. A simple weather resistant coating is required for maintenance.

Although poured rubber surfacing may have a higher initial cost, this can be quickly offset by the low maintenance needed in the years to come. See our layed-out analysis of what your project may cost using rubber playground surfacing.

How to Maintain Poured In Place Rubber Surfaces

As you can see, a poured rubber surface is a popular choice for high-activity playgrounds. Since PIP surfaces do not shift about, they are very easy to clean and maintain.

A well-maintained PIP surface can last you up to 10 years or more of use. Here are some tips you need to be aware of in maintaining poured rubber surfacing.

Clean It Regularly

One of the first steps to maintaining this type of playground surfacing is to regularly rid it of loose dirt, sand, moss, or small stones. This debris can get stuck in between granules, accumulate, and weaken the overall structure.

Using a nylon broom to keep the area clean is highly recommended. You should also use special floor sanitizers when deciding to clean poured rubber surfaces.

Get Rid of Stains Properly

Although pressure washing with regular soap is an effective way to get rid of stains, some stubborn ones can still remain and require special treatment. Using harsher methods to eliminate these stains can negatively impact PIP floors.

These are the things you need to do instead when dealing with the following stains:

● Graffiti: This can be removed by using a soft brush with a mild detergent and then scrub the area. Medium-grade sandpaper can be used to get rid of paint and avoid damaging the surface.

● Organic Matter: Animal droppings, urine, and even blood can be cleaned without harming the PIP surface. Use a clean brush to scrub off any deposits. Disinfect the area using a water and vinegar solution and let it dry.

● Chewing Gum: Gum that is stuck to the flooring can be removed by using dry ice. Start chipping the gum once it starts to freeze to get rid of it.

Keep Sharp Objects Away

Sharp objects, such as shovels, ladders, and metal chairs, can damage poured in place rubber flooring. Since these surfaces are intended to withstand shocks and protect children from falls, they are made to be soft and springy to accomplish these jobs. Objects with sharp edges should be kept away to avoid damaging the flooring.

Next Steps

Playgrounds with poured rubber surfaces can provide you with a safe, aesthetically-pleasing, and low maintenance solution. It offers flexible design capabilities, easy maintenance, and a clean surface for high-activity areas. That is why PIP flooring is one of the best types of floor materials you can get today.

If you’re ready to take the next steps, reach out and send us a message. AdventureTURF can guide you through the process and provide you with a free quote for your playground.