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Care & Maintenance

Maintenance & Care Guide

Simple checks to keep your Growplay frame secure, clean, and ready for years of outdoor play.

Quick checks

What to check and when

Before play

Scan the setup

Check clamps, swings, anchors and the ground before kids climb.

Monthly

Tighten and inspect

Look over bolts, hooks, ropes, nets and accessories for wear.

Seasonal

Wash and protect

Remove salt, dirt and debris. Touch up small chips early.

After storms

Reset before play

Check level ground, anchors, fallen debris and tangled ropes.

Stop use if anything is loose, cracked, rusted, frayed or unstable. Replace damaged parts before play resumes.

Growplay Monkey Bars are built for years of outdoor play, but regular care and maintenance will help keep your frame safe, secure and looking its best.

Use this guide to check your frame, accessories, ropes, swing hooks, bolts and ground fixings regularly. A few simple checks can help protect the powder-coated finish, reduce wear, and keep play safe for the whole family.

Regular Maintenance Checklist

Before Each Play Session

Before kids start playing, do a quick visual check of the frame and play area.

  • Check all clamps, bolts and swing hooks appear tight and secure
  • Make sure all accessories are properly attached
  • Check swings, ropes, nets and ladders are hanging correctly
  • Inspect the ground for stability and evenness
  • Make sure ground spikes or anchors have not shifted
  • Look for sharp edges, damage, rust or excessive wear
  • Remove sticks, rocks, toys or other trip hazards from the play area

Monthly Maintenance

Once a month, give your frame and accessories a more detailed check.

  • Tighten bolts, clamps and fasteners using the supplied hex key and spanner
  • Check swing hooks, carabiners and moving metal parts for wear
  • Inspect ropes, swings, nets and accessories for fraying, cracking or damage
  • Check plastic, rubber and fabric components for splits or deterioration
  • Confirm the frame is level and has not shifted over time
  • Make sure ground spikes, anchors and base plates remain secure
  • Remove dirt, grass clippings, leaves, sand or debris from around base plates and joins

Seasonal Maintenance

Every 3 months, or more often in coastal, sandy, dusty or high-use environments, complete a full clean and inspection.

  • Wash the frame with warm soapy water to remove dirt, grime, salt and build-up
  • Rinse thoroughly with fresh water, especially if you live near the coast
  • Dry with a soft cloth where possible
  • Inspect the powder coating for chips, scratches or exposed metal
  • Touch up any chips or scratches with Growplay Touch-Up Paint
  • Check galvanised clamps, base plates and connection points for corrosion
  • Check stainless steel nuts, bolts and hardware for wear or tea staining
  • Apply a suitable non-toxic lubricant to swing hooks if squeaking occurs
  • Inspect ropes, swings, nets and accessories for UV wear, fraying or damage

If anything looks loose, damaged or unsafe, stop use until the issue has been fixed. Do not use damaged parts. Replace worn, broken, rusted or unsafe components before allowing children to play.

Cleaning Your Frame

To clean your Growplay frame:

  1. Use warm water with a small amount of mild soap.
  2. Wipe the frame with a soft cloth or sponge.
  3. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
  4. Dry with a clean soft cloth where practical.

Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, abrasive cleaners, steel wool, scourers or high-pressure cleaners, as these may damage the powder coating or protective finishes.

Extra Care for Coastal Areas

If your frame is installed near the ocean, salt air can build up on metal surfaces and speed up corrosion over time. Coastal frames should be rinsed more often with fresh water, even if they do not look dirty.

For coastal homes, we recommend:

  • Rinsing the frame regularly with fresh water
  • Washing with mild soapy water more frequently
  • Checking clamps, bolts, base plates and swing hooks closely
  • Touching up scratches or chips as soon as possible
  • Keeping sand, soil, leaves and grass clippings away from base plates and joins

Frames in coastal, sandy or exposed areas may require more frequent maintenance than frames in sheltered inland areas.

Powder Coating & Touch-Up Paint

Growplay frames are made from galvanised and powder-coated steel tube to provide a strong, durable outdoor finish. However, powder coating can still chip or scratch if it comes into contact with sharp objects, tools, stones, metal accessories or rough treatment during play or assembly.

Small scratches and chips should be touched up as soon as possible to help protect the exposed area and maintain the appearance of your frame.

To touch up scratches:

  1. Clean the area with mild soapy water.
  2. Rinse with fresh water and allow it to dry completely.
  3. Lightly remove any loose dirt or surface rust if present.
  4. Apply Growplay Touch-Up Paint to the affected area.
  5. Allow the paint to dry before using the frame again.

Touch-up paint is suitable for small chips, scratches and general wear and tear. If a part is badly rusted, cracked, bent or structurally damaged, it should be replaced.

Nuts, Bolts, Clamps & Base Plates

Your frame relies on secure hardware and connection points to stay safe and stable.

Regularly check:

  • Stainless steel nuts and bolts
  • Galvanised clamps
  • Galvanised base plates
  • Swing hooks
  • Carabiners
  • Ground spikes or anchors
  • Accessory mounting points

Use the supplied tools to tighten bolts, clamps and fasteners as needed. Do not overtighten to the point of damaging the part, but make sure all connections are firm and secure.

Pay extra attention to base plates and clamps, as dirt, grass clippings, mulch, leaves and moisture can build up around these areas.

Swing Hooks, Carabiners & Moving Parts

Swing hooks, carabiners and other moving metal parts should be checked regularly for wear, rubbing, distortion, rust or unusual noise.

If a swing hook starts to squeak, apply a small amount of suitable non-toxic, outdoor-safe lubricant to the metal-on-metal contact point. Wipe away any excess lubricant so it does not drip onto ropes, seats, clothing or children's hands.

Do not use lubricant on grip areas, monkey bars, ropes, nets, swing seats or any surface children hold onto while playing.

Do not use any swing hook, carabiner or moving part that is cracked, badly worn, bent or no longer closing securely.

Ropes, Nets, Swings & Accessories

Ropes, nets, swings and accessories naturally experience wear over time, especially with frequent use and exposure to sun, rain and changing weather.

Check regularly for:

  • Fraying
  • Cuts or tears
  • Loose stitching
  • Cracks in plastic or rubber parts
  • UV fading or brittleness
  • Worn connection points
  • Loose knots, clips or fasteners
  • Rust or wear on attached metal parts

Clean ropes, nets and swings with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. Rinse with fresh water and allow them to dry fully before use.

Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals and high-pressure cleaning, as these can damage rope fibres, plastic, rubber and fabric components.

If an accessory is damaged or excessively worn, stop using it and replace it before further play.

After Heavy Weather

After strong wind, heavy rain, storms or extended periods of wet weather, inspect your frame before play.

Check that:

  • The frame has not shifted
  • The ground remains firm and level
  • Anchors or ground spikes are secure
  • Base plates are not sitting in pooled water
  • Accessories are still firmly attached
  • Ropes and swings have not tangled or worn against the frame
  • No branches, debris or sharp objects have fallen into the play area

If the ground has softened or moved, do not use the frame until it is stable and secure again.

Replacement Parts

Never use damaged parts. Replace worn, broken, rusted or unsafe components before allowing children to play.

You can find replacement components, hardware and accessories in our Spare Parts collection.

For small chips and scratches, use Growplay Touch-Up Paint to help protect exposed areas and keep your frame looking fresh.

Important Safety Notes

  • Adult supervision is recommended during play
  • Do not allow children to use the frame if any part is loose, damaged or unsafe
  • Do not modify the frame or accessories outside the assembly instructions
  • Do not attach non-approved accessories or hardware
  • Do not ignore rust, cracks, sharp edges, worn ropes or loose bolts
  • Replace damaged parts before further use