What is playground mulch?
Playground mulch is an excellent new invention that has helped save lives time and time again. A playground can be a dangerous place for a kid who may be prone to accidents as a result of falling. In order to combat the forces of gravity, landscapers have developed several different ways to keep kids out of harm’s way.
Sand was the first playground method to ensure kid’s safety, later replaced by cushioned mats. Finally, at present, there is a way to combine the softness of the sand with the protection of the rubber mats. This solution is called playground mulch, and is available from a huge number of different sources who all want to make sure your kids are properly protected at the playground.
What is playground mulch made of?
Old sneaker rubber used to be a source for playground mulch, but now recycled tires are used exclusively. The belts in the tires are removed in the shredding process, and then the bits of rubber are passed under several powerful magnets that completely remove any pieces of metal. If your playground mulch provider does not boast itself to be 100% metal free, keep looking.
What are the different varieties of playground mulch available?
You can purchase mulch in a huge variety of colors, many of which are modeled after real world materials like concrete, cedar, redwood or brick. You can even purchase rubber mulch in other colors like blue or green or purple if you so desire.
For those who cannot decide on just one color, consider a premixed variety where you can combine several different colors for one low price.
Why bother switching from sand or mulch?
Safety is the primary reason. Across the nation, an average of 1,500 playground injuries ends up in the emergency room daily. This trend has led various government and independent agencies to conduct impact tests on all varieties of surfaces. In every case, a 6-inch layer of rubber chips nearly doubled the shock absorption of the second best surface.
Unlike traditional playground mats, which can become slippery after a rainstorm, the unique properties of playground mulch keep this product dry even after the most torrential downpour. High winds will not blow away many of the different mulch products available due to their somewhat significant weight.
What measures are taken to ensure that playground mulch is safe for kids?
All bags of playground mulch are checked out for any hints of steel or metal products before shipment, so you are guaranteed an extremely safe environment for your children. Since they are made completely of rubber, all of the playground mulch is weather-resistant and will not be destroyed by extreme temperatures. Many products offer a lifetime warranty against any problems you may have with your mulch.
Many of the playground mulch products are also rated for children to not suffer any injuries if they fall from ten feet into a six-inch pile of mulch. If your backyard playground is higher than that, however, consider installing deeper mulch.
How big are the chips and what if you or your kid eats one?
The chips are irregular nuggets varying in size from about half an inch to five-eights of an inch. They are completely non-toxic and will harmlessly pass the animal and human digestive tracts. Don’t worry; they have no flavor, good or bad.
How do you maintain a playground mulch surface?
Happily, playground mulch pretty much takes care of itself. If the surface becomes unleveled, the chips can be moved around easily with a garden rake. They are heavy enough that they won’t be blown or carried over into your yard and wash clean of dust or dirt with a light hosing or rain.
Won’t lining your playground with old black tires look rather dull?
All playground mulch manufacturers offer a variety of colors and most people can customize the color if they so choose. Add the fact that there will be no spillover sand or wood chips in your yard and it’s actually a significant aesthetic improvement. Non-toxic paint is used to color the chips and neither painted or black chips will stain clothes or skin. Most companies do mention that the paint will fade after five to eight years.
When will you have to replace it?
Not in your lifetime. The rubber chips are vulcanized, making them quite indestructible. All other playground surfaces need regular replenishment.
But isn’t playing in the sand kind of fun?
Not really. And the mean kids will have a pretty tough time kicking playground mulch in anyone’s eyes.