Top 10 Common Playground Maintenance Problems in 2025!

As we step into the new year, schools, nurseries, and commercial settings must place a renewed focus on the safety and well-being of children, especially when it comes to playground maintenance and play equipment. It is recommended that these settings have an annual inspection and maintenance services on all play equipment to ensure playground safety.

Play equipment provides endless opportunities for play, exercise, and social interaction, but without proper maintenance and playground inspection, these areas can quickly become hazardous.

This blog will discuss the ten most common playground maintenance problems that affect play areas and playground safety on a regular basis, how these issues occur, the risks play equipment poses if not addressed, and how to solve them.

Additionally, we will explain how Pentagon Play, with its RPII-accredited playground inspectors and maintenance team, can help institutions ensure their play areas remain safe, well-maintained, and fit for use, using our inspection and maintenance programmes.

1. Wear and Tear of Playground Surfacing

One of the most commonly reported issues with playgrounds is the wear and tear of the surfacing, with cracks and hole forming across the area. When this problem arises, it's important to act fast and ensure the damage is repaired.

What the Problem Is

Play equipment includes playground surfacing such as materials like rubber mulch, wood chips, artificial grass, or synthetic turf, which are designed to cushion falls and minimise injury making the playground safe.

Over time, these materials can become compacted, eroded, or damaged due to constant foot traffic, weather conditions, and natural wear and tear and therefore will have safety concerns in the play area.

How the Problem Occurs

Constant use and exposure to the elements (rain, sun, snow) cause surfacing materials to degrade.

In particular, wet conditions can cause organic materials like wood chips to break down, while sun exposure can cause synthetic surfaces to crack and lose their ability to absorb shock.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

If the play equipment surfacing isn’t properly maintained and there are no playground repairs, it can lose its effectiveness in cushioning falls, which increases the likelihood of serious injuries. Additionally, compacted surfacing can create uneven areas that pose tripping hazards.

How to Solve the Problem

Regular annual inspections of the surfacing for signs of wear. Playground maintenance such as replacing damaged or compacted areas with fresh materials and ensuring that depth and evenness are maintained through maintenance services.

If the playground has synthetic surfaces, consider professional playground inspections and playground maintenance services or replacement of the surfacing in the play area every few years to keep it safe and functional.

2. Rust and Corrosion of Metal Equipment

Rust and corrosion poses a serious threat to your playground equipment, significantly reducing the lifespan and the safety aspect of the equipment. By understanding how this problem arises, you can ensure that all precautions are taken to reduce the chance of rust/corrosion occurring.

What the Problem Is

Metal playground equipment such as slides, swings, and climbing structures are susceptible to rust and corrosion, especially when exposed to moisture over long periods.

How the Problem Occurs

Weather conditions such as rain, humidity, or even heavy dew can cause metal parts to rust. Additionally, some metal parts may not have been treated properly with protective coatings, or they may have been damaged by sharp objects or rough play.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Corroded metal equipment can become weak, posing a significant risk of breakage during use. In extreme cases, sharp rusted edges can cause cuts or injuries, while weakened structures may collapse or become unsafe to use.

How to Solve the Problem

All metal equipment should be inspected and maintained regularly for signs of rust or corrosion. Light rust can be removed with sandpaper and a protective paint coating through playground inspections.

For more severe corrosion, playground maintenance and repairs, such as replacing or treating parts by professionals, can be done. Ensure that playground equipment is coated with weather-resistant materials to reduce the likelihood of corrosion.

3. Loose or Broken Hardware

Playground equipment should always be functioning properly to ensure that no malfunctions occur. Loose or broken hardware can seem minor at first, but problems can quickly develop as the equipment starts to break down.

To avoid this from happening, learn how your organisation can reduce the chance of a serious injury occuring from this simple problem.

What the Problem Is

Loose bolts, nuts, screws, and other fasteners are a common issue on playgrounds, especially in areas with heavy usage.

How the Problem Occurs

Regular use can cause fasteners to become loose due to vibration and movement. Additionally, weather conditions like extreme heat or cold can cause materials to expand and contract, loosening hardware.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Loose hardware can cause parts of the playground equipment to become unstable, creating dangerous conditions. Broken or missing fasteners can lead to equipment failure, such as slides becoming detached or swings becoming unstable.

How to Solve the Problem

Regular operational inspections can check for loose or broken hardware which is key to keeping equipment safe in play areas. Playground maintenance services can tighten any loose bolts, and replace any broken or missing fasteners immediately.

When undertaking playground maintenance, consider using locknuts or other fasteners designed for high-use environments to ensure long-term stability.

4. Splinters and Rough Surfaces

Often overlooked, splinters and rough surfaces on playground equipment can lead to serious injuries occurring. Whilst wooden play equipment might be the most common victim of this problem, both plastic and metal equipment can suffer with splinters and rough surfaces.

By understanding the causes of this problem and how to place preventative measures in place, you can make sure that your playground remains a safe space for your little explorers. 

What the Problem is

Wooden playground equipment, such as climbing frames or benches, can develop rough spots or splinters over time, especially if the wood hasn’t been properly treated or maintained.

How the Problem Occurs

Wood surfaces naturally expand and contract with changing weather conditions, which can cause them to crack, splinter, or lose their smooth finish. Regular use, especially by children who are actively playing, can exacerbate this problem.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Splinters can cause painful injuries, especially if a child falls or brushes against a rough surface. Uneven or splintered wooden surfaces can also cause discomfort and may discourage children from using the equipment.

How to Solve the Problem

Through playground equipment maintenance, regularly sand down any rough patches or splinters on wooden equipment and treat the wood with a protective sealant to prevent further damage.

If equipment becomes too damaged, part of the playground repairs is to consider replacing it entirely in the play area. Inspection and maintenance services should encourage regular cleaning to remove dirt and debris that may cause further wear.

5. Broken or Missing Playground Signage

If you're wanting to create a safe and enjoyable playground atmosphere, it's important that your play area has sufficient playground signage. Without clear playground signage, you risk confusing children and increasing the risk of serious accidents.

Whether it's a sign explaining safety rules, age restrictions and/or emergency procedures, including playground signage can have a huge impact on your playground and reducing the chances of injuries.

What the Problem Is

Clear signage, such as age recommendations, rules of play, or emergency contact information, is crucial for maintaining safety on the playground. Over time, signs can fade, become damaged, or be removed entirely.

How the Problem Occurs

Exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain can cause signs to become illegible or break. Vandalism can also result in missing or damaged signs, which reduces the overall effectiveness of safety protocols.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Without proper signage, it’s harder to communicate safety information and guidelines to children, staff, and visitors. This increases the risk of inappropriate play, misuse of equipment, or accidents.

How to Solve the Problem

Operational inspections of all signs regularly and to replace any that are damaged or illegible. Make sure that any playground repairs such as new signage are placed in visible locations in play areas and that they are made from weather-resistant materials. Additionally, consider placing signs in multiple languages if your playground serves a diverse community.

6. Faulty or Malfunctioning Equipment

Whether it's small defects to severe structural problems, playground equipment is always at risk of encountering faulty or malfunctioning parts. From being caused by loose and broken parts to improper use of the equipment, you need to keep an eye out for this common issue.

If you want to avoid any potential injuries and risks, then make sure that you continue to read on to understand how your playground can quickly respond to this issue to ensure safety.

What the Problem Is

Malfunctioning playground manufacturer's equipment is a serious safety hazard. This includes issues like broken swings, slides that don’t function properly, or climbing frames with loose parts and metal components in outdoor spaces which are obvious hazards.

How the Problem Occurs

Wear and tear, poor initial installation, or lack of maintenance are often the root causes of malfunctioning equipment. Some equipment may break down due to material fatigue, while others may simply be improperly installed.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Faulty equipment can lead to accidents, such as falls or entrapment. In some cases, the malfunctioning equipment may stop functioning altogether, leading to frustrated children and reduced playtime opportunities.

How to Solve the Problem

Conduct regular inspections and routine maintenance on any broken or faulty equipment. Equipment maintenance through repair or by replacing malfunctioning components promptly to prevent accidents, maintaining safety standards and structural integrity.

Playground maintenance ensures that all equipment is installed according to manufacturer guidelines and that all equipment repairs are maintained regularly to extend its lifespan and playground care.

7. Overgrown Weeds and Vegetation

One of the most common issues to plague playgrounds, overgrown weeds and vegetation may seem harmless at first, but they can lead to severe problems. From attracting pests to concealing debris or trash, playground owners should always vigilant towards this problem.

Not only will combatting this problem help you keep an aestetically pleasing play area, but it will also help keep your little adventurers safe.

What the Problem Is

Overgrown vegetation, including weeds and grass, can quickly become a problem in playgrounds and not be in line with safety regulations, as they can obstruct walkways and cause injuries.

How the Problem Occurs

If the playground is surrounded by grass or natural landscaping, weeds can grow rapidly, especially in areas where the surfacing material has been disturbed or is degrading.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Weeds and tall grass can obscure playground surfaces, making it difficult to identify hazards such as holes or uneven surfaces. They can also cause tripping, reduce visibility, and attract pests breaching safety standards.

How to Solve the Problem

Through playground restoration, regularly trim grass and remove weeds from around the playground equipment. Consider using ground covers like mulch to suppress weed growth. Maintain proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation, which encourages weed growth.

8. Lack of Proper Drainage

If you've lived in Britain long enough, then you'll be well aware of how heavy the rain can be. Through these drastic showers and storms, some playgrounds can start experiencing issues with a lack of proper drainage.

Without an effective channel of drainage, playgrounds can quickly become flooded and a variety of issues can start arising. To ensure your playground doesn't fall victim to this common issue, read on to discover how you can combat it effectively.

What the Problem Is

Poor drainage can lead to puddling or flooding around playground equipment, which not only makes the play area muddy and a safety risk but also accelerates the wear of equipment.

How the Problem Occurs

Improper installation, poor maintenance of drainage systems, or natural wear over time can lead to water accumulating on the playground. This is especially problematic during rainy seasons.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Standing water creates slippery, hazardous conditions. It also attracts pests and can cause significant damage to the playground surfacing. Prolonged water exposure may lead to the growth of mold, mildew, and rust.

How to Solve the Problem

Regular inspections and play area repairs such as ensuring that drainage systems are regularly maintained and free from obstructions. Playground repairs such as using permeable materials for surfacing where possible or installing proper drains to divert water away from the play area.

9. Inadequate Safety Barriers

A common site on playgrounds, safety barriers help to protect children from falls and prevent them from unintended access to hazardous areas. Without adequate safety barriers, children can easily get past them and compromise the safety of your playground.

Once you have explored the importance of having effective safety barriers in place, you'll be able to understand how you can easily implement a fix to ensure that your barriers are adequate and promote safety.

What the Problem Is

Safety barriers, such as fencing or guardrails, are crucial to prevent children from running into unsafe areas like parking lots or busy roads.

How the Problem Occurs

Over time, safety barriers may become loose, damaged, or removed. Children may also engage in activities that can weaken or damage these barriers, such as climbing on them.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

A lack of proper barriers can lead to children accidentally wandering off the playground into unsafe areas, increasing the risk of accidents or injury and not ensuring compliance.

How to Solve the Problem

Regularly inspect and maintain all safety barriers through playground repairs to ensure they are intact, secure, and in good condition. Reinforce weak areas and replace any broken sections promptly.

10. Unclean Equipment

Unclean playground equipment poses a variety of serious health risks and safety concerns for children. Leaving play equipment can often lead to nasty substances building up on them, increasing the risk of children developing a serious illness from your playground.

What the Problem Is

While it might seem like a simple issue, dirt and grime can accumulate on playground equipment and make it unsanitary for children.

How the Problem Occurs

Over time, dust, leaves, food wrappers, and even bodily fluids can collect on the playground, particularly in high-traffic areas.

What Happens if the Problem Isn’t Sorted

Unclean equipment can harbour bacteria, viruses, and allergens, which can contribute to illness. It can also lead to staining and long-term damage to the equipment.

How to Solve the Problem

Playground repairs and routine cleaning are essential. Playground managers or experienced teams can use child-safe cleaners to wipe down surfaces through routine maintenance, especially during flu season or after heavy use. Encourage children to wash their hands after playing and keep trash bins accessible to minimise litter.

Conclusion

Playground inspection and maintenance is essential for ensuring that children have a safe and enjoyable environment in which to play. From rusted metal to unclean equipment, even the smallest issues can have big consequences.

Regular site inspections by play inspectors can enforce preventative measures, and therefore quick repairs can be orchestrated which are vital in addressing these common problems.

Pentagon Plays offers expert services with our RPII-accredited inspectors and maintenance team, ensuring that schools, nurseries, and commercial settings can quickly identify and address any playground issues through inspection reports in a cost-effective and timely manner.

By being proactive, institutions can guarantee a safe, clean, and well-maintained environment for children to thrive in. Whether your playground is facing seasonal challenges or you're wanting to meet the UK's strict safety standards, our Inspections and Maintenance team is here to help!