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How to Prevent Serious Injuries When Dismantling a Trampoline
Before taking it down for the winter, the first question you should ask yourself is not “How do you dismantle a trampoline?” but rather “How do you do it safely?” While it’s not particularly difficult or dangerous to take a trampoline apart, there are still a few things you should do to make sure you don’t hurt yourself.
The first thing you’ll need is a pair of solid work gloves. Anyone who’s done their research into trampoline safety knows how easy it is to scratch yourself or pinch your fingers in the metal springs that hold it all together. Not only can this be painful, but any rust on the metal can hold potentially dangerous bacteria or even tetanus. To avoid infection, wear long sleeves and keep your gloves on while dismantling the trampoline.
If you’re feeling extra cautious, use safety glasses or a pair of goggles to protect your eyes. While it’s unlikely, the tension in the springs can sometimes cause them to snap back when disconnected from the jumping mat, so it’s not a bad idea to have a little extra protection.
Step-by-step Instructions on How to Take Apart Your Trampoline
Step One: Preparation and Cleaning
Before taking the trampoline apart, you’ll first have to gather the necessary tools. Besides the gloves and safety goggles, you’ll also need:
● A screwdriver or electric drill to unscrew the metal frame
● A spring puller to detach the springs from the jumping mat
● A wrench to loosen any nuts on the frame
Make sure to clean your trampoline completely before taking it apart. Use a broom to brush away any leaves or dirt on the mat, clean away any grime with warm soapy water, and then use a hose to spray down the mat. If any rust has formed on the metal pieces, you can use rust remover or lemon juice to clean it off.
Step Two: Remove the Net, Poles, and Other Accessories
After cleaning the mat, the next step is to remove any extra pieces. Untie any basketball hoops or other accessories from the poles, then untie the net. It’s a good idea to clean and fold the net so it’s easier to store over the winter. The poles may be attached to the frame itself; if so, just use the screwdriver or drill to take them apart. We recommend wrapping the poles in plastic or some other cover to protect them while they’re being stored.
Step Three: Untie the Safety Pad
The safety pad that covers the springs is usually pretty easy to remove. They’re generally attached with ties that go around the springs, so just reach underneath the trampoline and undo the knots. You can use a key or screwdriver to help with particularly difficult or troublesome knots. Once you’ve removed the pad, just fold it up for storage.
Step Four: Disassemble the Springs
This is the tricky part. You can technically use pliers or a screwdriver to disconnect the springs from the mat, but we recommend a proper trampoline spring puller, also known as a T-hook. A T-hook is just a long, thin metal rod with a handle on one end and a hook on the other.
Starting with the inside end of the spring, hook the spring puller into the spring’s coil and pull it towards the center of the trampoline until it comes free of the V-ring on the mat. Then, simply unhook the other end from the frame and repeat with the other springs. Don’t worry, the first one is the most difficult – they get easier as you go.
Step Five: Fold the Mat
Once the springs have been removed, the mat will be fully disconnected from the frame. Before putting it away, give it a quick inspection to make sure there are no holes or tears. If you find any, you can use a trampoline repair kit to patch the damage. Fold up the mat until it’s small enough to store, and then you’re almost done.
Step Six: Dismantle the Frame
At this point, all that’s left is to take the metal frame apart. Some trampolines have wind pegs to keep them from blowing away; if yours is one of these, remove the pegs first. To disassemble the frame, use the screwdriver or drill and the wrench to take out any screws or bolts and just take it apart piece by piece. You might need some help with this part, especially if you have a larger trampoline. Make sure to organize the screws and nuts as you go, since they can often be different sizes. Once you’re finished, collect the pieces and pack them away.
Recycling Options for Disassembled Trampolines
If you’re trying to get rid of your trampoline instead of just putting it away for the winter, the simplest way to do that is to just get it recycled. We recommend at least recycling the metal frame from your trampoline since metal is valuable and easy to repurpose, but usually, you can take the whole thing to a recycling center. Different centers will have different policies on recycling trampolines, so make sure to give them a call before just showing up since they may not take every piece.
If you want to avoid the hassle of a recycling center, you can always give Junk King Contra Costa a call. We’ll happily stop by your house, pick up the trampoline, and take it to our processing center to be recycled.
Now You Know Exactly How to Take Apart Your Old Trampoline and Recycle It Properly
Whether you’re recycling an old trampoline or just packing it away for the winter, you now have all the information you need to take it apart. If you have any other questions, or you’d like to get a free no-strings-attached estimate, just give Junk King Contra Costa a call at 1-888-888-JUNK. We’re more than happy to help you with your junk hauling needs, trampoline-related or otherwise.
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