3 Ways to Make your Park Equipment Last Longer
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Rusted benches, warped grills, & decaying table lumber. These are problems you don’t want your park equipment to have. The lifetime of outdoor park equipment constantly exposed to the weather and public can be short lived—if—not cared for correctly. To make your park equipment last longer, make sure to do these three things:
1.) Invest in Quality Products & Materials
Products designed specifically for a homeowner’s backyard won’t last long in a public space. Retail products as such may be cheaper to purchase, but that’s likely because they are made using lesser materials that won’t hold up in public spaces. Your equipment budget will constantly be plagued by replacing damaged and worn out products, so investing in quality will save you time and money in the long run.
The warranty can be a good indication of quality as well. Where is the manufacturer of the product located? Does the warranty cover public spaces? As an example, a number of Pilot Rock branded picnic table frames have a lifetime warranty. Most products include a five-year warranty. These warranties are covering installations in public spaces, parks, and campgrounds.
Remember that many products can look similar in a photograph. Investigate the details of that product. For example, check out product spec bulletins for dimensions, materials, & illustrations of the product to ensure that you will be investing in a quality product.
2.) Have a Maintenance Program
Do you have a formal maintenance program? With dozens, or even hundreds, of picnic tables, grills, campfire rings, and trash receptacles around your parks and campgrounds, it can be tough to service them all. However, certain jobs need to be done regularly.
- Benches and picnic tables using lumber should be water-sealed annually or repainted as required. Warped or splitting planks may need to be replaced.
- Charcoal grills should be cleaned out frequently so ash and coals aren’t left on the bottom of the firebox. This greatly extends the life of the grill. If the ashes get wet, rusting is accelerated.
- Picnic tables that are moved frequently should be inspected for fasteners that become loose from movement.
- Furniture equipped with recycled plastic planks or thermoplastic coated steel may have to be repaired if vandalized. Otherwise they can be periodically cleaned with water and detergent.
- Painted components, especially bench and picnic table frames that are dinged or scratched from public use may start showing rust. These areas should be cleaned and repainted before the rust spreads.
3.) Keep in mind Equipment Location
Most product materials have their advantages, however, some materials and products don’t last long in various climates. Recycled plastic tends to be a better choice in high humidity environments, where lumber tends to decay quickly.
Aluminum could be a mistake in high heat areas where intense sunlight can heat the aluminum and make it uncomfortable seating.
Beach locations near the ocean can be especially hard on park equipment. The constant humidity, spray, and salt exposure can degrade steel components and finishes quickly. In these areas, we recommend stainless steel charcoal grills. We urge customers to use hot dip galvanized steel frame components, because painted steel frames can quickly start to rust in the salt air environment.