Plum Play Swing, Play Centre & Climbing Frame FAQs.
My poles have splits and cracks. Is this normal?
Our range of round pole swings are made from whole tree trunks trimmed to size. These natural tree trunks are very sensitive to atmospheric changes and moisture content. Often naturally occurring splits will appear in the poles. In warm sunny weather the wood shrinks, in wet weather it expands. These physical changes cause the cracks.
The overall thickness of the poles mean that the strength of the beam is very rarely affected by these cracks.
For more information, learn about our wood. If you are still worried, please contact our technical team with photographs of the cracks and they will be happy to take a look.
There is green staining on my swing. Is this normal?
Our round pole swing sets are made from whole tree trunks which are stripped of bark, trimmed to size and pressure treated to ensure their longevity.
The green substance on the wooden pole, which can be mistaken for mould, is actually a chemical reaction between the wood sap and the chemical used in the pressure treatment.
It is completely harmless and we like to think it adds to the natural charm.
For more information, get in touch.
How can I maintain my swing set?
Take good care of your swing set and it could last a very long time!
Round pole swings require little maintenance due to their natural properties. Use a soft brush to remove dirt from the play centre, and wipe metal parts and swing seats and slides with a damp cloth and light detergent.
The wood on the swing set was pressure treated with a chemical on production to inhibit rot and infestation.
At the end of each season, treat the swing set with a water based stain for use on children’s play equipment to ensure longevity.
There is movement and creaking in my swing set. What should I do?
A certain amount of lateral movement is normal and not dangerous. Because the wooden poles increase in size when wet, they are intentionally not a tight fit into the brackets, particularly when dry. You may notice that the lateral movement is reduced when the wood is swollen after heavy rain, as the expansion will close the gap within the brackets.
If the movement is excessive, take the two top bolts out of the brackets at either side of the top beam; do not take the bolts out of the legs. Push both A-frame legs inwards as much as possible to tighten up the frame. Then replace the top bolts through the brackets into the top beam. This will reduce the movement and creaking of the frame, however there should always be slight movement in the frame due to the expansion and contraction of the wood.
We would advise periodic checking of the tightness of the bolts in the green brackets securing the top beam and legs. If these are tight and the legs are securely attached to the ground stakes then your play centre is safe to use.
Can I change the accessories on my round pole swing set?
The majority of accessories used on our round pole swings are attached to the swing hangers using a carabiner clip; therefore they should be easy to switch. The metal swing hangers encircle the top beam and therefore they can be moved to fit accessories when it is safe to do so.
You will need to ensure there is adequate space on the beam for the accessories that you intend to fit. Our spacing guide provides more guidance on this.
Do I need to anchor and concrete my swing set into the ground?
If your product is supplied with ground anchors, you must use these to concrete the equipment into the ground. This is to provide additional stability to the product for your child’s safety.
Concreting your product into the ground is an essential part of the toy assembly and not doing so is likely to invalidate your warranty.
How much space do I need for my swing?
For individual product dimensions please refer to the webpage for the specific product.
In addition to the dimensions stated, we always recommend a two meter safety perimeter around the whole of the product.
The safety perimeter should be free from obstructions such as fences, garden furniture and buildings as well as hanging obstructions such as tree branches and washing lines.
Which swing set should I buy?
There are a number of points to consider when purchasing a swing set. It can be a big ticket item, so it's important to consider all factors before buying.
Some of the more common factors before purchasing a swing include space, material, budget, age of children, number of users and the play features.
Can I get spare parts for my swing?
If your swing set is still under its warranty, please fill out our warranty claim form to obtain replacement parts.
Some items such as swing hangers and bolts are available to purchase from us directly. Please contact us to find out more.
What warranty do I get on my swing set?
The warranty available on our swings varies depending on the model and where it is purchased. Please refer to the individual product page for more information.
How do I anchor my product in?
We get asked this a lot but it’s not as complicated as it sounds!
Take a look at our step-by-step guide or watch our video for more help and guidance.
Why can't I get my brackets to fit?
Our round pole timber is a fabulous natural product - we pick it for its strong and durable properties. The round pole timber is very sensitive to changes in the environment and tends to absorb moisture.
Most commonly the brackets may be too tight if the wood is wet - the poles can expand quite a bit when wet - and so you may need to wait until they have dried out. Leave them outside in the sun and this shouldn’t take too long.
If you are still having trouble, please contact us for technical support.
What can I do to maintain my play centre?
Take good care of your play centre and it could last a very long time!
Use a soft brush to remove dirt from the play centre, and wipe metal parts and swing seats and slides with a damp cloth and light detergent. Use a soft brush to remove dirt from fabrics.
The wood on the swing set was pressure treated with a chemical on production to inhibit rot and infestation.
At the end of each season, treat the swing set with a water based stain for use on children’s play equipment to ensure longevity.
During the winter, remove any fabrics and store in a sheltered, dry place.
The wood on my play centre has splits. Is it safe to use?
Many Plum wooden play centres and swing sets are constructed using dimensional timber, sometimes referred to as square cut wood.
Dimensional wood reacts to atmospheric changes by shrinking and expanding and occasionally splits and cracks may appear in the timber. In most cases these are completely harmless and will not affect the strength or integrity of the overall play centre.
For more information, learn about our wood. If you are still worried, please contact our technical team with photographs of the cracks and they will be happy to take a look.
Can I buy replacement fabric?
We usually stock replacement fabric sets for products in our current range.
Although we try to keep replacement fabric for past products, unfortunately this isn't always possible. If you can’t see your product here, please contact us and we may be able to help.
Can I buy spare accessories?
We stock a range of accessories for those that like to mix it up!
Most of our accessories use a carabiner clip fastening and so can be replaced easily. However it is important that the accessories are spaced correctly. On our dimensional wood range of timber play centres and swings, the swing hangers are drilled through the beam and cannot be moved, which may limit the number of compatible accessories.
What happens if I need to replace a wooden part?
If your play centre is under its warranty, please fill out our warranty claim form to obtain the replacement parts.
Some items such as swing hangers are available to purchase from us directly. Please contact us to find out more.
Can I get spare parts for my swing?
If your swing set is still under its warranty, please contact our customer service team or fill out our warranty claim form, to obtain the replacement parts.
Some items such as swing hangers and bolts are available to purchase from us directly. Please contact us to find out more.
Can I adjust the height of my swings?
If your swing set is supplied with height adjustable swings, the rope length can be adjusted. Please refer to the individual product page for more information.
If your swing seats are not height adjustable, height adjustable swings can be purchased from our website.
Where should I put my play centre?
When planning where to put your play centre, make sure you measure carefully and don’t forget to include the 2m safety perimeter – this must be free from obstructions such as buildings, fences, trees and washing lines.
The play centre must be placed on suitable ground such as grass or play bark and never on a hard surface.
If your play centre is supplied with ground anchors, these must be concreted in before the play centre is used. This is to ensure the stability of the toy and to ensure your child’s safety.
Please note that placing your play centre on a hard standing and not anchoring it in will invalidate your warranty.