Year-Round Care: Maintaining Your PlayBase in All Seasons
A BERG PlayBase asks for very little looking after. There is no timber to treat or stain. A few simple checks through the year are enough to keep it safe and looking well.
What the frame is made of
The frame is steel tube, 90mm in diameter, with a zinc layer underneath a powder coating. That is what lets it stay outside all year in Irish weather (more on metal climbing frames). It carries a 10-year warranty, rising to 13 years when you register the frame with BERG.
What the accessories are made of
The accessories use different materials, and that decides how you look after them:
- Climbing wall — slatted bamboo
- Nest swing — Textilene mesh on a steel frame
- Swing seat, baby seat, trapeze and gym rings — moulded plastic, with steel or aluminium parts
- Platform + Slide — HDPE plastic
- Climbing net and soccer goal — rope and netting
- Boxing bag — PU
- Pull-up bar and dip bar — steel
Spring: the once-a-year check
- Go around the frame and check the bolts are tight
- Check the carabiners, ropes and swing fittings for wear
- Check the frame is still level and the ground around the base has not washed away (see how the frame is anchored without concrete)
- Wash the frame and accessories down with water and a mild soap
Summer: when it gets the most use
- A quick look over the swings and fittings every so often
- Keep the clear space around the frame free of bikes, toys and garden furniture
- Swap accessories around to keep it interesting — it also spreads the wear
Autumn and winter
- Clear leaves from around the base
- Bring soft accessories — hammock, nest swing, boxing bag — indoors over winter
- After a storm, check the frame and anything hanging from it before the children go back on
- Surfaces can be slippery in frost and rain, so take care on the slide, platform and climbing wall
If something wears out
Accessories carry a 2-year warranty and can be replaced one at a time, so a worn swing seat never means replacing the frame. Follow the care instructions in the BERG manual supplied with each product, and ring us if you need a part.
Thinking about metal instead of timber?
See how the PlayBase compares in our guide to PlayBase vs wooden climbing frames, or call 01 960 1641.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a BERG PlayBase need to be treated or stained?
No. The frame is steel with a zinc layer and a powder coating, so it does not need the annual treating or staining a wooden climbing frame does.
Can a PlayBase stay outside all winter?
The frame is built to stay outside all year. It is sensible to bring fabric and soft accessories, such as the hammock, nest swing and boxing bag, indoors over winter to keep them in good condition.
What warranty does a PlayBase have?
The frame has a 10-year warranty, rising to 13 years when you register it with BERG. Accessories have a 2-year warranty.
