15 Sunken Trampoline Problems and In-Ground Pros and Cons
More and more people are jumping on the bandwagon and getting an in ground trampoline for their families. All you have heard about them so far are the good points.
Now you wonder if you should follow the crowd. Before you leap, you should look at the whole story first. This article will tell you about those hidden problems that come with installing an in ground trampoline in your back yard.
Introducing The BERG Inground Trampoline
- Large 14 ft jumping surface for big jumps
- UV Resistant PVC padding that will last for years
- Less air resistance for higher jumps
Sunken Trampoline Pros and Cons
There Are Positive Points
Undoubtedly you have heard about the good qualities that come with using an in ground trampoline. In case you haven’t, here are some of those good points that help make in ground trampoline exercise so popular:
They are a lot of fun
They provide your with excellent exercise options
They help provide many health benefits
They are safer to use than above ground trampolines
They keep your pets safer than above ground trampolines
They look good in your back yard
The Rest of The Story
It is quite easy to get caught up in all the good [points that come with in ground trampolines. The safety factor alone makes it worth considering installing one in your back yard.
But before you make your decision to join others on the in ground trampoline bandwagon, there are some facts you need to know. There are some problems that you need to overcome before you can use your new in ground trampoline and bounce your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Common Sunken Trampoline Problems
#1. How big of a hole do I need?
This is a major problem because it contains 2 factors that can influence your trampoline use. First, if you dig the hole a little shallower than your trampoline height, you are creating a tripping issue.
If someone in your family doesn’t pick up their feet entering or exiting the trampoline, they can fall and hurt themselves. Or someone else walking in your back yard could miss the hole and trip over it causing you other problems.
The second problem that comes with digging your new hole is that if you make the hole flush with the trampoline top, you may not get the ventilation you need. A lack of ventilation affects the bounce of the trampoline.
Your fun and exercise time will be cut down due to the lack of ventilation.
One solution to both of these problems come in the use of safety pads. Not only do they stop the tripping issue, they can make sure your trampoline gets the ventilation it needs to work right
#2. Building a retaining wall
This can be costly because you will need a strong barrier between your new hole and the rest of the dirt surrounding it. The last thing you will need is a cave in if you get lots of rain.
Your toughest choice here is deciding which materials you should use to make sure you have a strong retaining wall. A concrete or a cinder block retaining wall is the strongest to use but your ground may not have a lot of pressure on it and you could get by with lesser and less expensive materials.
A solution to this issue wold be to have n experienced contractor come out and evaluate your lawn area and see which material is best for you.
#3. Not having the proper drainage
When this happens, you run the risk of allowing rust and corrosion ruin your trampoline frame. Also, the lack of proper drainage will undermine your trampoline’s foundation. This may cause your trampoline to become uneven.
Of course, the type of retaining wall you have decided to use will influence the style of your drainage system you use.
The solution here can be perforated drain pipes leading to gutter or storm drain. Again, you should ask the opinion of the experience contractor who comes out to evaluate your lawn for your retaining wall.
#4. Lifting your trampoline
There will always be some situation that arises that requires you to lift up your trampoline. It is inevitable that one of your kids or their friends will lose a shoe or throw something underneath the in ground trampoline.
The only way to get those items out from underneath the trampoline is to lift it up. Or you may need to do some maintenance work on the frame, retaining wall or drainage. These chores also require you to lift up your trampoline and get the work done.
The solution to these issues is to make sure you have a little room to lift and then lower your trampoline without causing any damage to you, your helpers, the retaining wall and your trampoline.
The hole you dig should be at least 1 foot wider than your in ground trampoline.
#5. Making sure there is proper venting
This is an issue that needs the right attention. If you do not have the right ventilation system, then the air underneath the trampoline cannot go in and out to help your bounce.
Without the proper air flow, you place a lot of pressure on your trampoline frame as well as the user’s joints.
The solution here is to either leave a gap between the level ground and the trampoline, but this can create a tripping issue. You can use pipes to bring air in and out, but this may not be effective as pipes can get clogged up
Or you can use trampoline safety pads that cover the gap while allowing air to ventilate properly.
Minor In Ground Trampoline Issues
Along with the major issues listed above, some minor issues also seem to find their way into your in ground trampoline area. Here are a few of them that may make your in ground trampoline more of a headache than you want:
Type of soil - some soil compositions drain better than others. Clay is not a good draining soil composition. You want regular or sandy soil to get proper drainage
Water build up - there are those times where water refuses to go away. That is why having a good small electric pump on hand will save the day for you. They will get rid of standing water before any damage can be done
Uneven ground - your yard may not be that smooth and level. Before installing the in ground trampoline, you will have to take the time to level the area the trampoline will sit on
Weight limit - just because the trampoline is in the ground doe s it mean you get to put more weight on it. You will need to stay under the maximum weight capacity if you want your trampoline to last
Access - you may not want unauthorized access to your in ground trampoline area. You can build a fence or use a safety net to keep people away when you are not home
Your garden - you may have to do a little landscaping when you put in your new in ground trampoline,. This may mean moving your treasured garden to another location.
Growing plants - if you do not treat the soil underneath the in ground trampoline, then plants, grass, weeds may regrow and over take the trampoline
In Ground Trampoline Pros and Cons
Because nothing is perfect in this world, even in ground trampolines have their good points and their faults. In ground trampolines would not be considered normal if they didn’t.
What follows are the pros and cons of in ground trampolines:
Pros:
- You get great exercise
- You have lots of fun
- You and your kids can develop key motor skills
- They are safer to use
- They are easier to enter and exit
- They look good
- They keep pets from crawling underneath and getting hurt
- You can do creative landscaping, making the in ground trampoline a vital part of your overall design
- Uses the same safety equipment as above ground trampolines
- Can make your kids and you popular
Cons:
- They cost a lot to install
- Need proper leveling, drainage and foundation
- Need a retaining wall
- Doesn’t stop plant growth
- May need to rearrange your back yard
- Soil strength issues
- Stuck in one place
- Possible tripping issues
- Needs proper ventilation
- Standing water can be a problem
In ground trampoline vs above ground: which is better
As with any topic, people always want to know which is better. This is a legitimate curiosity because normal; people like to get the best product for themselves and their families.
When it comes to trampolines, getting the best option may also be the safest option to choose. Here is a little comparison to help you decide which is the best model of trampoline for you and your family. We may duplicate some points on the in ground trampoline but that cannot be helped.
We will start with the above ground trampoline:
Above ground trampoline: The good and the bad
The good:
No real installation costs - just set it up and you are ready to go.
Low leveling and anchoring costs
Very mobile - you can move it to any spot you want in your yard
Maintenance and up keep is a lot easier - you can crawl underneath to handle al maintenance issues
Easy to remove - when the trampoline falls out of favor or you need to move out, it can easily be taken down and stored or moved to a new location
Good bounce height - lots of air gets underneath to spring you back up
Doesn’t ruin your garden - you do not need to move your garden or change the landscaping
The bad:
Hard to protect from the weather - high winds and other storms could damage it
Rust and corrosion- hard to protect against these elements as the above ground trampoline has a greater exposure to moisture
Harder to access - you need to have a stair , ladder or jump on the trampoline
Further to fall - this version is higher up making landing on the ground a lot farther than you would like
Pets can get underneath and get hurt by the low bounce
Constant take down and set up - when summer and spring are over, you may decide to take the trampoline down and then have to set it up again when the weather turns warmer
Storage issues - when you take it down you need a safe place to put it till you set it up again
In ground trampoline: The good and the bad
The good:
They are safer to get on and off - access is as easy as taking another step
They are closer to the ground - this makes falls less riskier
Less maintenance - unless something really bad happens you can place the in ground trampoline in its place and forget about it til plants start growing again
Easier to protect from the weather - high winds and other storms should not cause them a lot of damage
Home improvement - makes your home look a lot better and helps upgrade your landscaping
Protects your pet - there is no way your pet can get underneath and be hurt by the bounce
No storage issues - the in ground trampoline stays where it is until you need it again
The bad:
Very expensive - not the trampoline itself but all the work that has to be done to install them properly
Long installation period - you can’t just set it up and have fun right away. You need to wait til everything is done before you can use it
No mobility - once you set it in place, it stays there. So make your location decision carefully
Needs good ventilation - if this is not done right then you could lose the bounce you need for your exercises and fun
Drainage issues - improper drainage could ruin your trampoline;s frame
Some hazards - it is possible to trip over the edges and hurt yourself
It can be a toss up when comparing which trampoline style is better than the other. We favor the in ground one because it makes the trampoline a lot safer. It is also not an eye sore. You have creative options available that do not exist for the above ground trampoline.
The real issue for us is the cost. It just may cost too much to install an in ground trampoline. For that, you just have to check your budget, get good estimates and then make your decision.
Some Final Comments
The 5 most common problems that come with an in ground trampoline are to be expected. They are about the same issues as any other construction project that requires you to dig a hole.
The minor issues you can address when they arise or take the proper steps as you go. They are not really deal breakers because they are apart of any project. You also have minor issues arising when you have an above ground trampoline.
Even after examining the pros and cons, they seem pretty close. No item is going to come with perfect conditions. It all depends on which ones you want to live with. The key question will be, can you afford the in ground trampoline?
You will get the same benefits from both styles and the same safety equipment., It will all depend on your preference and your budget.
Introducing The BERG Inground Trampoline
- Large 14 ft jumping surface for big jumps
- UV Resistant PVC padding that will last for years
- Less air resistance for higher jumps
