When your children love their outdoor wooden playset, you might be trying to figure out how to protect that important structure from the snow, ice, and heavy winds winter weather can bring. Fortunately, by making a few careful preparations, you can prevent problems in the long run. Here are three ways to winterize your wooden playset.  

Ways To Protect Wooden Swingsets 

1. Remove Plastic Components 

Since cold weather can make plastic brittle and more susceptible to snapping or breaking, remove all of the plastic components you find until spring and move them indoors. Swing seats, steering wheels, slider bars, and accessories like telescopes are great examples of things you should consider temporarily uninstalling. 

2. Re-stain the Wood

To make your swingset even less likely to endure winter weather, consider re-staining the wood with a new coat of stain made for cedar. After inspecting the wood beams for damage and wiping the surface clean, applying a stain will beautify your swingset while making it more weatherproof.

3. Inspect your set in the Spring

It is important to the safety and longevity or your playset to complete a regular inspection of all of its components. While some regular maintenance items or fixes will be obvious you will want to look closer at other components such as the swing chains, plastic components, and small hardware. Especially at the beginning of the season you should check all bots and screws to make sure they are not sticking out precariously or broken off causing sharp edges. You may also want to tighten all nuts and bolts as required. 

Whether you are ready to upgrade your wooden playset or you notice your swingset has endured damage already this winter, the team Backyard Adventures Iowa has what you need to improve your outdoor space. As specialists in wooden playsets, they offer everything from backyard playsets and basketball hoops to patio furniture. With more than 15 years worth of experience, they can help to pair you with outdoor equipment that fits your lifestyle and budget. Learn more by visiting their website, or give their Urbandale, IA, office a call at (515) 270-2433.