As much of an asset it can be to have playground equipment in your backyard for your children, at one point, the kids grow up, and it’s time for swingset removal. It can be a hefty task to take on disassembling a playground and donating or recycling the materials. That’s where Junk-A-Holics can help.
Swingset removal may seem like a DIY task at face value. Anyone can take a chainsaw to a wooden playset, right? But here are some tips on how to do it safely and effectively:
1) Plan Out the Disposal
The first step is to make a plan for removing playsets. If it is wooden, are you going to chop it into pieces for firewood? Is the playground still in good enough condition that you could break it down into large chunks and transport it to a new owner?
Part of this planning process is to weigh whether it is worth your time to take on the project yourself or consider the cost of hiring a professional junk removal service. Not only would you have to take apart each piece, but you would have to load it all up in a truck, deciding what parts to donate, recycle, or take to the landfill.
The multiple stops and loads can add up to a lot of time and energy. Sometimes, it is better to call on junk removal services to help.
2) Keep Safety at the Top of Mind
If you are an amateur embarking on a swing set removal, some safety concerns may come up along the way. The proper equipment is required to protect from the hazards. Knowledge is power, so recognize what to look for when it comes to safety during a swingset removal.
Watch Out for the Following:
A swingset removal is not a family affair. Small children should be kept at a distance from potential dangers. There are too many hazards that come with the debris from a swingset removal project.
Mold
Playsets are out in the backyard, susceptible to weather and moisture. Sometimes, there can be mold that starts to grow in the rotting wood. It is essential to wear a mask and protect yourself from breathing in any mold or debris.
Splintering Wood
For a wooden swingset, the old wood can be weathered and sharp in some places. It is recommended to wear gloves to avoid any injuries from the splintering wood as you break the playground apart. Even if the wood doesn’t appear to be cracking, looks can be deceiving.
Rusty/Old Nails
Another hazard that can come up with a wooden playset is rusty nails. When you pull pieces apart, nails can fall into the grass below or stay sticking up out of wooden pieces. This is why it is not a good idea to have children around who could climb all over the parts and get pierced by an old, rusty nail. Gloves will also help protect you from any scrapes from nails.
Metal Fragments
A lot of playsets have metal corners or pieces of metal from the roof or swingset structure. Through the playset removal process, these metal fragments can stick out and be sharp caused by exposure to the weather. Keep a close eye on the pointy metal pieces, and be sure to place them far away from where others may walk. Goggles may also be a helpful piece of safety equipment when prying apart these metal fragments.
3) Recycle or Reuse Leftover Parts
If your kids have outgrown the playground equipment, swingset removal may seem like the logical next step. But that isn’t the only option. Many families find ways to reuse or repurpose their swingset. Here are some ideas:
- Outdoor Study Area: For older kids, a playset’s clubhouse platform can serve as a quiet place to do homework. You are removed from the chaos of the house and have a shaded area to protect from the sun. You could even put a mini table with a chair up there.
- Raised Garden Bed: A garden area that is up away from potential pests and the sun’s direct heat could be an excellent idea for a playset repurpose project. You could even net in the area and keep your garden safe.
- Chicken Coop: Instead of swingset removal, you could remove the playground equipment and still keep the structure to use as a chicken coop. Climbing up and down to collect eggs each day could get your kids excited about the playset again.
- Garden Terrace: A great way to repurpose the swingset without taking apart and removing the whole thing is to take out the slide and the swings. And then add some twinkle lights and build a path through the middle where the swings use to hang, leading to an extended garden area.
These repurposing ideas can be a great way to keep part of your backyard structure without removing the whole thing. Keep in mind that these options will still come with heavy lifting, unscrewing, and removing slides and swings. Junk-A-Haulics can help with anything that feels outside your realm of comfort.
Also, recycling is an excellent option with swingset removal whether you want to recycle parts like the swings, handlebars, or the slide, or you want to sell or donate the whole structure. If your playset is in reasonable shape, you can list it for sale and use Junk-A-Haulics to transport the hefty system without having to worry about that aspect.
The most important thing to consider is that the whole playset doesn’t have to go into the landfill. There will always be suitable parts for reuse, and it may take some additional research, but it is worth it to recycle all that you can. Our team at Junk-A-Haulics can transport items to recycling and donation centers as well.
4) Be Patient
It can be overwhelming to take the steps toward junk removal when it comes to a structure as large as a swingset. It will take patience to decide what steps best fit your lifestyle. Taking a chainsaw and crowbar to a playset is not as easy as it sounds and comes with some danger! There is no reason to make any rash decisions.
Patience is not the same thing as procrastination. If you have space in your backyard that you are dreaming of using for something else, or if your playset is an eyesore, do not hesitate to take action on your swingset removal project. Call on the professionals to get the ball rolling.
5) When in Doubt, Hire a Swingset Removal Company
Your backyard should be your oasis away from the rest of the world. You don’t want a huge playset taking up space that could be used for a hot tub, pool, patio, firepit, outdoor kitchen, or more! Your backyard has so many possibilities. Make the changes that you need today to start your backyard transformation.
If you are looking for a trusted removal service that will take the stress of a swingset removal off your hands, look no further than Junk-A-Haulics. Our team knows how to take apart large playground systems and can even transport your playset to the new owners if you chose to sell. Contact us to set up your appointment and get started on your project.