Q.
Pressure treated lumber is less expensive.
Why should I purchase a play system made from
100% natural redwood and cedar?
A. Most pressure treated lumber is made
from Southern Yellow Pine, a fairly brittle
softwood. Pine has a reputation for
severe splintering and checking (cracking)
under all weather conditions and is highly
susceptible to insect infestation and decay.
In order to reduce
the risk of decay and insect damage, chemicals,
such as arsenic and chromium or ammonia and
copper, are injected into the wood. There is considerable debate as to the safety
and durability of pressure treated lumber. Studies show extreme leaching of the chemicals
out of the wood and the treating process can
alter the molecular make-up of the wood, weakening
its structural integrity. While the
chemicals render the wood resistant to decay
and insects, they do not prevent or reduce
splintering and cracking. Redwood &
cedar's natural resistance to decay and insects
makes it a logical choice when faced with
the possibility of chemical-related hazards.
Q.
What type of maintenance is required for the
play system?
A. The play systems come with a lifetime
warranty against wood rot, insect damage,
or structural failure. The lumber has
been pre-stained and sealed with a construction
grade sealant, giving the wood a beautiful
finish. With normal use and as the wood
naturally expands and contracts, some of the
bolts may loosen. The system's through-bolt
construction allows you to tighten these bolts
without risking the structural integrity of
your play system.
Q. What is through-bolt construction?
A. The best way to secure two or more
beams together is to use a carriage bolt that
passes through all the pieces of wood and
is fastened at the end with some type of locking
means such as a lock washer and nut.
This is through bolt construction. This
method provides strong, reliable joints and
allows the bolts to be adjusted as many times
as necessary without weakening the structural
integrity of the system. Through-bolt
construction also allows the system to be
disassembled / reassembled without damage.
Good news if you decide to move and
take your system with you.
Q. Why are there no weight restrictions
on a Rainbow Play System?
A. Weight restrictions are based on
the amount of support the main structural
beams offer. This is decided by beam
size and placement. Rainbow Play Systems
and their team of architectural engineers
have combined the largest beams available
with sound structural design to allow the
whole family to enjoy these structures.
Q. What are the benefits of
notched wooden brackets?
A. These brackets are designed to gain
maximum support by bracing wood against wood
and reduce the force placed on the bolts holding
the system together. The notches help
ensure a long-lasting and durable structure.
Q. What type of warranties are
available?
A. Rainbow Play Systems offers a lifetime
warranty on all wooden components, ductile
iron swing hangers, and safety scoop slide
bedways against structural failure due to
corrosion, wood rot, or insect infestation.
All chain, seats, hardware, metal braces,
canvas, flags, and accessories are covered
by a two year limited warranty. For
complete warranty information, please check
pg. 162 in the Rainbow Play Systems catalog.
Goalsetter Systems Signature Series basketball
goals come complete with a ten year warranty
on backboards, three year warranty on jacks,
and a lifetime warranty on the structure.
Tournament Series basketball goals come with
a five year warranty on backboards, one year
warranty on jacks, and a lifetime warranty
on the structure.
Q. Does the ground need to be
level?
A. The ground should be relatively level,
however, there are several features on the
unit that can be adjusted to accommodate a
grade. Rainbow Play Systems is the only
company to offer extended ladders and "A"-frame
legs to allow for installation on a slope.
Also, several components have built-in adjustable
features. If you have a question about
your yard, please ask a member of our sales
staff for assistance.
Q. What is your opinion on building
one myself?
A. Building one from scratch can be
a rewarding project, however, the time, effort
and expense add up much faster than you might
think. Finding quality lumber is difficult
and once you do find it, buying it piece by
piece adds up quickly. Also, it is rough
lumber. The wood isn't routered and
has not been planed. It takes a significant
amount of time to prepare the lumber so that
it is smooth, to make sure all the corners
are rounded and the holes are recessed.
Many of the safety features of the systems
are not available at a hardware store such
as the vinyl-dipped ladders and plates.
If a weekend project is what you're looking
for, complete assembly instructions are available
with each system.
Q. Why does Rainbow Play Systems
use round rungs instead of flat steps on their
ladders?
A. To an adult, flat steps are logically
the safest method of accessing a higher platform,
however, our sense of balance is far better
developed than that of a small child.
If you watch children climb, you will notice
they use their hands to steady and balance
as they climb. A flat step does not
allow a child to grasp and steady themselves
and therefore requires a handrail to be safe.
Flat wooden steps also present added risks
because, being a high traffic area, they are
the first area of a play system to show wear
and tear in the form of splintering.
Wooden steps and rungs are not recommended
because over time, the wood will give out.
Think of a wooden step ladder. Each
step has a metal bar underneath of it to support
the users foot when that step breaks.
A play system will experience much more use
than your average step ladder and is more
likely to present this problem. Rainbow
Play Systems has combined the safety and security
of a round rung with the longevity of a metal
support and the result is our "Safety
Yellow" climbing ladder.
Q. What is the advantage of
using vinyl dipped steel over powder coated
metal?
A. Rainbow Play Systems starts with
1/4" steel pipe for all their ladder
rungs. These rungs are then either
vinyl-dipped or powder-coated. The vinyl-coated
rung has a layer of insulation in the form
of a commercial grade liquid vinyl and provides
a non-slip surface. The powder-coated
rung is covered in a special type of powdered
paint that is baked in place. Both ladders
feature "safety yellow" rungs for
high visibility while climbing and to stimulate
play.
Q.
What is Rainbow Play System's exclusive Safety
Scoop slide?
A. The Safety-Scoop slide is a straight
slide manufactured from UV-stabilized high
density polyethylene which is the same exact
material used in commercial playgrounds for
over 20 years. The elbow design landing
offers a safer, easier exit and the edges
are rounded for added safety. A thicker
mold and higher sidewalls provide a steady,
safe journey from beginning to end.
There are look-alike slides on the market
but none compare to the quality and durability
of Rainbow's Safety Scoop Slide.
Q. What type of artificial surfacing
do you recommend to put underneath the set?
A. We encourage our customers to use
some form of resilient surfacing. Many choose
the Soft Landing Rubber Mulch (SLRM)
because it is cleaner than other mulch choices
and its low long term costs.
Q. Do I want to build a play
pit before or after I get the set installed?
A. If you plan to install some sort
of surfacing or play pit for your system,
then you may want to clear and level the area
before the system is installed. The
material used for your play pit should not
be installed until after the system is in
place. This will allow the play system
to rest on solid ground and remain stable.
Placing the system on top of wood chips,
mulch, etc. can cause the set to shift with
use or as the surface settles from rainwater
runoff.
Q. Can I bring my play system
with me if I move?
A. Yes. The system is through
bolted which makes it very easy to disassemble,
load onto a moving truck, and reassemble at
your new home. There is a Rainbow Play
Systems distributor for every state, so if
needed, we could disassemble your system here,
load it on the moving truck, and help arrange
for it to be reassembled by trained professionals
when you get to your new home.
Q. Are Rainbow Play Systems
canopies available for non-Rainbow playsets?
A. The canopies available on Rainbow's
play sets are a trademark of Rainbow Play
Systems. Separate tarps are not available.
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