When buying a trampoline, you might be worried about the weather. Do you have to bring the trampoline inside when it starts to rain? Will the trampoline be damaged by sunlight or UV rays? Here is some information about different kinds of weather and the damage they might cause to your trampoline.
Do Trampoline Weather Covers Protect Against UV Damage and Rain?
The best reason for you to invest in a trampoline weather cover is to extend the life of your family’s trampoline. While everyone knows that trampolines have a limited lifespan, fewer people know how to extend their own trampoline’s lifespan. While it might seem like a simple fix, it is the easiest and most reliable way to limit damage caused by weather to your trampoline.
Trampoline Weather Covers and UV Light
The biggest reason you want a weather cover for your trampoline is to prevent damage caused by UV light. UV or Ultraviolet light is part of everyday sunlight, even if it is not visible to the naked eye. However, even if you don’t see it, UV light can cause quite a bit of damage to your trampoline if you do not take the proper precautions.
The most serious concern is the damage that UV light can do to the rubber that makes up your trampoline. Rubber is used in trampolines because it is a durable and resilient material that is flexible enough for you to bounce on it. However, once it is hit by UV light, rubber will gradually start to lose the properties that make it a good choice for trampolines.
In a study done in 2007, they attempted to observe the effects that UV light would have on various types of rubber. What they found was that after 720 hours of exposure, every kind of rubber was damaged and showed further signs of decay.
Scientists concluded in the study that UV light makes rubber stiff and decreases its “elongation at break and tensile strength.” In other words, the UV light made the rubber stiff (more likely to crack) and decreased its elongation (made it less bouncy).
Ultimately, rubber exposed to high amounts of UV light will tear or crack. Considering that it only takes a couple of months of sunlight to cause irreversible damage to your trampoline, you must limit the amount of UV light it is exposed to.
The best way to do this is using a trampoline weather cover when the trampoline is not in use. The cover should be made of an opaque material that will not allow sunlight through to the trampoline below the cover. By preventing the trampoline rubber mat from being exposed to UV light, you can significantly extend the lifespan of your trampoline.
Trampoline Weather Covers and Rain
Another benefit of using a weather cover is protecting your trampoline from the rain. While a bit of rain likely won’t ruin your trampoline, what comes after certainly can.
Your trampoline is made up of various materials that are subject to water damage in some way. The trampoline mat may have rubber and fibers that can swell and warp as they are soaked and dried repeatedly. Over time, this warping will weaken the mat and may result in cracks or tears.
The frame of the trampoline is made of metal and secured with metal springs and screws. As these components are exposed to rain, they will begin to rust. If this rust grows and spreads, your trampoline’s frame will become less secure and must be replaced.
Using a waterproof rain cover can prevent the rain from damaging your trampoline. Ensure you find a waterproof weather cover to prevent water from leaking through the cover and onto the trampoline.
Best Ways to Protect a Trampoline from UV and Rain Using Weather Covers
When using a trampoline cover, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind. First, buying a trampoline cover is not enough, you need to use it. You may only want to cover up your trampoline during storms or during the winter. Remember that it only takes 700 hours of sunlight to cause permanent damage to your trampoline.
The weather cover should be placed on the trampoline when not in use. The cover should be roughly the same size as the trampoline, and if necessary, you can find straps that will allow you to secure the cover down. Securing the weather cover will prevent water from leaking in or the wind from blowing it loose.
A trampoline can be a significant investment for your family. A weather cover is the perfect way to keep that trampoline in working order for years to come.