How to Prepare the Ground for a Trampoline
Looking for how to prepare the ground for a trampoline in your backyard?. Well, then you’ve come to the right place. If you’re planning to install a trampoline in your backyard and wondering how to prepare the ground for it, then these tips will help you out.
Here are some easy steps to help you prepare the ground for your trampoline installation.
How to Prepare the Ground for a Trampoline
A trampoline needs to be bouncy and stable. Therefore, you must construct the trampoline ground base to be both stable and sturdy. This will prevent the trampoline from sinking and ensure a safe and proper bounce.
Here is how you can prepare the ground.
1). Make the Ground Level
This is critical when you want to install your trampoline. The ground needs to be leveled irrespective of the sort of ground you have in your yard.
A trampoline that is placed on a tipping and small hill underneath the trampoline might be dangerous regardless of its size.
The trampoline legs must be placed on firm ground to ensure the legs don’t wobble when you are jumping on them. To accomplish this, you need to create a flat surface by digging or building it up on top of an existing surface.
One way to check if the ground on you are planning to install the trampoline is even is to place a broad chopping board or plank on the floor area. Place a tennis ball on the board. If the ground is sloppy, the ball will roll across the board.
In the case of a slope, you may have to build a retaining wall if it happens to slope more than 1″ for every 20″ across. This is for like a 5% slope.
2). Inspect the Ground to Make Sure It is Solid Round
A solid ground is necessary in order to support the weight of the trampoline. Besides the weight of the trampoline, the weight of the kids will all make it necessary to have a solid ground that can hold the trampoline legs firmly on the ground.
Because all these weights plus the force of the jump down will push through the support legs posts in a rhythmic thudding kind of style.
This will appear like a giant hammering a post. Hence, you need to have solid ground to hold the legs firm and sturdy.
This solidness should be consistent across all the supporting posts/legs. Swampy grounds are not recommended unless you reinforce the ground properly. Otherwise, few jumps will push the legs further into the ground.
It is advisable not to put a trampoline on concrete. Apparently, they rely on the shock absorption of capacities of the ground to absorb any of the bounce that isn’t absorbed by its springs.
The ground has to be solid enough to support the weight of a trampoline and then some.
3). Clear the Vegetation Around and at the Top of the Trampoline
Not all of us are lucky enough to have a large backyard to be very flexible with. Maybe where you want to set up your trampoline under trees or around the grass.
It is good to clear the area around the trampoline before you set it up. Generally, it’s good to have at least 3ft on each side of the trampoline as clearance.
This gives enough room to the kids in case they run into the safety net.
In case you also have trees growing close to or at the top of the trampoline, you will need to cut those branches to prevent accidents.
Protruding tree branches can cause accidents during jumps if they are not cut to a safety level. Especially those overhanging branches.
These kids and teenagers can jump as high as 16ft or higher. And for more safety, you can add 3ft extra height. it’s good practice to ensure that there’s clearance of 21-24ft above the trampoline.
It is good to always keep an eye on the trees and grasses growing around the trampoline so that you can cut them on time.
4). Choose What to Place Under Your Trampoline
Trampolines have think mats that block sunlight from going under it. This makes them quite unfriendly to natural grass. The under may also be far to reach with a mower to clear any growing grass.
Therefore, you would want to explore other options like these below.
Mulch
Mulch makes a great ground base for a trampoline base. If you don’t have intentions of moving it around the yard at all.
You shape the ground in the shape of your trampoline with turf then you can use the mulch to fill the soil top.
The mulch will keep the natural grass from growing up the trampoline while also giving the garden a nice look and shape.
Artificial Turf
The turf looks great on yards. It gives the place a lushful greenish look. But it’s a greater investment if you choose to go with it.
It is also important to get the ground very level first and you probably consider covering the entire yard or the kids’ playground.
Rubber Matting
Rubber matting is somewhat more sophisticated these days than it was in the past. They are now available in different colors and densities.
It comes in the form of sheeting or in small pieces that were stuck together during production. You can choose any of them and have it played under your trampoline. Great fall protection for the kids.
Also Read:
What to put under your trampoline
Pieces of Wood
Materials like wood chips are another inexpensive material one can use as a trampoline foundation. They are affordable and readily available in most places.
You can even get it as low as $6 for a bag that can fill a space of about 2 cubic feet of space. Because of that, you can easily cover your trampoline foundation with wood chips for less than $100.
They are not as bouncy as mulch but they are relatively cheaper.
Sand
Sand is another good alternative base for the trampoline. In fact, the kids can play with it. The only thing is that, sand if not confined well within the space, can spread out to the entire yard.
The kids can also carry it into the house. Play sand is a great alternative to rubber mulch and it has a similar feel to mulch and is also fairly bouncy.
The use of play sand as an alternative to rubber mulch is highly recommended. It has a similar feel to mulch and is also fairly bouncy.
5). Install Your Trampoline
This you can do alone or request help from a friend to assemble. If it’s a big one, then you will need someone to help you out.
Final Thoughts on How to Prepare the Ground for Trampoline
As I have stated above, you would need to clear the ground where you want to install the trampoline. Ensure the ground is firm and sturdy for the legs of the trampoline to avoid sinking into the ground.
The ground base is also important and also clearing all the branches around and on top of the trampoline to ensure your kids are safe at all times while using the trampoline.
I hope you found these ideas on preparing the under of your trampoline helpful.
