How to Replace or Make a Trampoline Spring Cover (Trampoline Pad)
Like all trampoline enthusiasts know, owning a trampoline is a full-time commitment that comes with many benefits. First of all, a trampoline is a great way to bring people of all ages together for days upon days of fun. And secondly, it’s also a great way to exercise. However, trampoline owners also know that taking care of the trampoline mat and springs is incredibly important.
With that in mind, we’ve prepared the ultimate guide to trampoline maintenance. In the following article, we’ll present our trampoline spring cover ideas that are affordable and easy to set up. Before we get to the cheap DIY ideas for spring covers, we’re going to discuss proper trampoline pad maintenance. Additionally, we’ll explain how to make sure you get the appropriate trampoline spring pad cover replacement when the time comes.
Now, without further ado, let’s discuss how to take proper care of a trampoline pad.
Trampoline Spring Cover 101
Trampoline Pad Maintenance
Trampoline spring guard maintenance is an incredibly important part of trampoline ownership. The hard metal frame and springs can and will cause real injuries to less experienced jumpers. And even though the springs of a trampoline should be able to withstand harsh weather conditions, pads will protect them from rusting. So making sure that the pads themselves remain thick and clean is crucial.
Still, trampoline owners should be prepared to see some wear and tear on their trampoline spring covers. After all, they’re products with a best-by date: they’ll weaken and tear when exposed to wind, rain, and snow. Still, it’s better to have to keep replacing cheap trampoline pads than springs or whole trampolines. Naturally, taking care of a trampoline safety pad will extend its overall longevity. Consequently, it will also prolong the periods between pad replacements, which is always a good thing for a person’s wallet.
How to Clean a Trampoline Pad
The durability of a trampoline’s frame and springs can be ensured with regular maintenance. And, as we have said, trampoline pads should provide an extra layer of protection on top of the springs. In order to see how we should be cleaning the spring guards, we need to understand what they’re made of first.
Essentially, trampoline pads are foam pads encased in PVC vinyl. As such, they do have some general maintenance rules that accompany them, though vinyl is pretty durable. Namely, the most important vinyl cleaning tip is to avoid harsh chemicals. Instead, we may periodically dust the trampoline spring protectors with a clean, dry rag.
Other than that, we might also use cleaners and conditioners that were specifically designed for vinyl surfaces. Vinyl cleaners are typically pretty gentle, and the conditioner should protect the material from degradation. However, using gentle diluted soap products, or a plain water-dampened rag, is perfectly acceptable as well.
This is basically the same method we’d use to keep the trampoline mat itself clean. First, we’d sweep the dust and the leaves away. Then, we’d use water and a gentle soap solution to get rid of more stubborn stains. One major consequence of improper trampoline maintenance is the drying and cracking of the material. Naturally, this is also a big overall concern for the trampoline mat, as well the spring guard. Most jumpers absolutely dread falling through a trampoline. So let’s see why these materials tend to dry out and how we can prevent that.
How to Keep a Trampoline Pad from Drying Out?
Trampolines are often left outdoors, exposed to the elements. So the spring safety pad and the trampoline mat are already weakened by the sun. Most manufacturers claim that their trampolines are weatherproof. However, we still like to take some steps to fortify our trampolines even more. Preventing and noticing thinning and drying materials in time will prevent injuries.
Therefore, steering clear of harsh chemicals when we clean the trampoline is of the utmost importance. That means that bleach and detergent are strictly forbidden. If they’ve been in contact with the mat before, that’s fine. However, since such harsh cleaning agents can speed up the deterioration process of trampoline pads, we must caution against their future use.
The absolute best way to prevent the trampoline pad and mat from drying out is to protect them with a weather cover or a tarp. Ideally, we’d also be able to put the trampoline away when we’re not using it. But we realize that most trampoline owners don’t have the storage space to house a big outdoors trampoline. Additionally, many people like to jump on their trampolines during the colder winter months as well. We can’t recommend this practice with a clear conscience, but we understand why it may make some people hesitant to put their trampolines away for the winter.
How to Fix a Trampoline Pad
As we’ve previously mentioned, the vinyl surface of trampoline spring covers is likely to rip even through normal use. Anyone could damage the pad while climbing on top of the trampoline. In addition, sunshine and other elements will thin out the vinyl pad anyway, especially if we’re not covering it when it’s not in use.
So the trampoline pad is bound to get scratched or ripped at some point, anyway. How do we fix it when that happens?
Well, we’re afraid that there aren’t really solutions that can restore a damaged trampoline safety pad to its original glory. We could use duct tape over any small rips. That should prevent the tears from getting any bigger, although it obviously wouldn’t fix them. Even bigger holes can be taped over — but they’d still be there, exacerbated by every jump.
However, if it becomes apparent that a trampoline spring cover is tearing more easily than usual, it may be time to purchase a trampoline spring pad replacement. Fortunately, we’re about to explain exactly how to find the best spring cover for any trampoline.
Are Trampoline Pads Universal?
This is just about the most common question people ask us about trampolines. The simple answer is no, trampoline pads are not universal. Still, spring cover sizes are pretty easy to figure out with only a bit of guidance. Fortunately, that’s exactly what we’re here to provide.
What Size Trampoline Pad Do I Need?
The only way to figure out the size of the trampoline pad we’ll need is to measure the diameter of a trampoline, and the length of its springs.
How to Measure a Trampoline Spring Cover
It’s like we always say: the bigger the trampoline the closer to God! Well, it makes sense to us. Still, as fun as bigger trampolines are, they can also be more confusing to measure. As we have previously mentioned, if it’s a circular trampoline, we’ll need to measure straight across in order to get the true diameter.
The best way to do this is to tie a ribbon on one spring. Then, we can count the number of springs on the trampoline going in one direction until we reach the ribbon again. The string or ribbon won’t allow us to lose count. So when we arrive at a number, we can then split it. Finally, we’ll walk over to the half-point and measure the diameter from the string with the ribbon on it to the one directly across from it.
If the frame is 12 feet across, we’ll look for 12-foot pads. In any case, the number of springs is also a good number to know when we go shopping for a new mat.
Of course, we also need to mind the shape of the trampoline since not all of them are circular. So, if we’re looking for a pad for a rectangular trampoline, we’ll write down the length and the width of the frame. And for a more unconventional shapes, we’ll need to write down the number of sides and the diameter. Or, we can always make a homemade trampoline spring cover, which we’ll discuss in a little while.
Once we’ve written down the overall diameter of the frame and the number of springs, we also need to measure the spring length. That number will allow us to look for trampoline spring cover pads that completely cover the springs and a bit of the mat itself.
Where to Buy a Trampoline Pad Replacement?
As we have said, all of the measurements we noted are important for purchasing trampoline pads, mats, and weather covers. But where can we get those things?
As with anything these days, the easiest place to find trampoline parts is on online retailer sites like Amazon. Some sports and home improvement stores also have trampoline equipment, although an online retailer is sure to have more options. Most manufacturers offer trampoline pads in the classic blue color. However, trampoline spring covers are also available in many other colors as well. There are even various patterns to choose from!
For standard 12, 14, or 15-foot frames, the prices of trampoline safety pads range from about $40–$50. Of course, that estimate may shift depending on the size of the trampoline and the manufacturer. And there are also some very cheap trampoline pads online too. However, we’re not certain if those would last as long as the pricier alternatives. As always, the final choice comes down to individual budgets. Click here to check the latest trampoline pad prices on Amazon >>
Now that we know where we can find trampoline parts, we can move on to explaining the installation process of the spring guard. And we’ll even share a few DIY tips for making a homemade trampoline spring cover.
How to Cover Trampoline Springs
Before we get into the homemade trampoline covers, we’ll first explain how to set up the regular store-bought spring cover.
How to Install a Trampoline Spring Cover
By the time a trampoline spring cover reaches us, it’ll probably be neatly folded up. Working from there, we can place the pad on the edge of the trampoline, after we’ve removed the original spring guard. The new pad will probably have some kind of a cord on the bottom side. The cord will help us attach the pad to the trampoline springs later.
For now, we should place the pad with the cords pointing downwards, and unfold it until it’s positioned around the perimeter of the trampoline mat, over the springs and the frame. Some pads also come in parts that we would need to manually attach with pieces of Velcro. These are typically a bit bulkier, but probably more manageable, as they’re not in one piece.
Finally, once we’ve laid out the pad, we can move on to the next step.
How to Attach a Trampoline Spring Cover
Different manufacturers make trampoline spring covers with varying methods of attachment. Some have plastic double safety clasps, Velcro, or bungee cords to attach the cover to the frame, while others use a mix of different methods.
Whatever the case, the cover will usually have these attachment pieces equally spaced out, which is why we need to slightly rotate the pad to align them with the trampoline springs. The manufacturer’s instructions that come with the pad usually explain the specifics of how the product should be handled. So, when in doubt, it’s always best to refer to those.
How to Make a Trampoline Spring Cover DIY
There are a couple of ways to make a homemade trampoline spring cover. The pool noodle method is certainly the most cost-effective of them all. However, when we’re in the mood for a DIY project, we could also sew our own vinyl and foam guard to resemble the store-bought ones.
Starting with the trampoline measurements, we can get appropriate amounts of closed-cell foam and vinyl at the local home improvement store. Those of us who have a sewing machine that can pierce vinyl will be all set to make their own spring cover for their trampoline. This would also allow the trampoline owner more control over the overall look of their pad — though that may not be such a great thing, especially for a novice tailor.
The pool noodle technique, however, is a much simpler solution, and it would only cost about $20 at the very most. Actually, we even saw a product on Amazon which is pretty much a pre-cut noodle spring cover. It even comes with foam noodle guards for the outer frame of the trampoline. However, making the noodle covers by ourselves would allow us to choose the colors we prefer, as well as make the guards according to our own trampolines. So let’s see how to replace a trampoline spring cover with pool noodles!
Pool Noodle Trampoline Spring Cover
In order to make our own spring cover out of pool noodles, we’ll want to get a whole bunch of noodles. In order to avoid getting more noodles than necessary, we should first measure the length of the trampoline’s springs. We can then divide the length of the pool noodle with the number of springs. Depending on the length of the spring, one noodle may be enough for nine spring covers. At this point, we should be able to calculate how many noodles we need to cover all of the springs on the trampoline. And we might also create bar guards by measuring the outer length of the trampoline frame and buying enough noodles to cover it as well.
Once we’ve purchased the noodles, we can bring them over to the trampoline, along with a firm cutting board and a sharp kitchen knife or a box cutter. The simplest way to cut the noodles down to size is to mark the length of the springs on a cutting board. Then, we can just cut the noodles in a matter of minutes, then slice them vertically, so they’ll be able to slide onto the springs.
As for making pool noodle bar guards, we can simply slice the noodle vertically and slip it on. The length of the noodle could remain the same. After we’ve finished sliding the noodles onto the trampoline frame and the springs, we could secure them with one or two cable zip ties per noodle, making sure that the ties are flat on top.
We’re partial to this method because it’s one of the most customizable and budget-friendly ways to make a homemade trampoline spring cover.
Conclusion
Ultimately, everyone has their own ideas of how they should take care of their own trampolines. Hopefully, some of the trampoline spring cover ideas we’ve presented here will inspire you to continue improving your own trampoline experience.
As we’ve said, a trampoline pad will prevent the metal frame and the springs of the trampoline from being exposed to the elements. In addition, the guard will protect the jumpers from injuring themselves if they fall. So they’ll ensure that everyone is as carefree as possible while getting their daily exercise.
We’ve also spoken a bit about the difference between the trampoline pads we might find on Amazon, and the DIY alternatives. On the one hand, the professional pads will definitely last a bit longer in comparison to the pool noodle guards. On the other hand, they’re also a bit more expensive. So we do understand why some people replace cheap guards instead of getting more durable pads.
Finally, once we all have appropriately sized spring covers, we should make sure that we are taking proper care of them. Ultimately, regular maintenance is the only thing that can make our trampolines bouncy for years to come — which is exactly why we need to have at least some type of spring cover: to make the trampoline look and feel as good as new.
