Jumping on the trampoline is a fun activity that you can do for hours. However, your frequent use will loosen the mat.
You may ask, “Why is my trampoline mat loose?” We will discuss the causes right here. You can also find out the best solutions. Let’s check!
Table of Contents
Why Is My Trampoline Mat Loose?
Two primary reasons for your loosened trampoline mat are overstretched springs and loose bounce cords.
Overstretched springs
Springs will lose their flexibility with use. The more you use the trampoline, the faster the degradation.
You can notice a gap between the coils. They don’t hold onto each other as tightly as they used to. Hence, there won’t be as much recoil and stretch.
Sadly, the springs can’t recover to their initial condition once overstretched.
How to solve this problem? Sadly, the springs can’t recover to their initial condition once overstretched. The only solution is to replace the springs.
Loosened bounce cords
The bounce cords are in charge of linking the mat and the frame. Their flexibility and durability allow you to spring on the mat.
However, like the springs, these cords lose their elasticity over time. When they become loose, they can’t hold the mat effectively.
You can tighten the cords so that your trampoline mat won’t be loose anymore. We will discuss the instructions in the next section.
How to Tighten a Trampoline Mat?
Tightening the mat here means pulling the bounce cords as they secure the mat. This method is easier and quicker than buying a replacement.
To reach the trampoline’s underside, you will need to flip it over, so think about asking your friend for help.
Before starting, make sure that you don’t miss anything in this checklist:
- Vise grip pliers
- Masking tape
- Needle-nose pliers
Now, follow these steps to bring back the original condition of your mat:
- Open the pliers with a vise grip.
- Encircle the jaws of your pliers on both sides with masking tape. The space between the jaws should be about 1/8 inch.
- Turn the trampoline over 180 °. It might require many people pulling at once.
- You can locate a bounce cord if you check inside the adjacent knot block. To make the knot face within the circle rather than outward, grab the cord by its end and tug it inward toward its center.
- When the rope reaches the block, grip it securely and firmly with vise grip pliers. The cord shouldn’t slide as a result.
- Use needle-nose pliers to untangle the overhead knot, which stays at the bounce cord’s tip.
- Make an overhead knot nearer the knot block. The closer the tie, the studier the result can be.
- Loosen the vise grip pliers after you’re pleased with the new stretch.
- Loosen knots and then re-tie them in numerous places around the trampoline.
- The distance between the new and old knots should essentially be the same for an effective outcome.
Other Problems With The Trampoline Mat And How To Fix
Loosened mats are a typical problem with trampolines. You may also face other challenges when using them.
The mat loses its bounce.
The trampoline losing its bounce is a nightmare because you can’t play with it anymore. In this case, deteriorated springs may be the cause.
- Rusty springs
Rust is the enemy of trampoline springs. Rusty springs can’t perform their jobs as well as usual.
The main material for trampoline springs is stainless steel. They also come with a zinc coating for more efficient functionality.
The coating is in charge of preventing the air from touching the metal underneath and rusting.
Spring rust implies that the steel has oxidized and has become flaky dust. Rust causes the springs to lose their capacity to expand and rebound.
If you notice the rust, it should be easy to remove using store-bought treatments and a rough wire brush.
It may be time for replacement springs if they are extremely rusty, and you will see that the rust spreads beyond the top.
Make sure the spring is the appropriate length, and the coil is a suitable size. It’s advisable to replace it at once if it appears to be deteriorating in different stages.
- Missing springs
You can still jump on the trampoline when there is a missing spring.
However, it’s not advisable. Repeated use will damage the mat because it doesn’t receive equal pressure on every part of it.
Once there are more springs, you will experience less of a decent extension and rebound on the remaining springs.
It would be best to replace the springs, especially when they become rusted or overstretched. Remember to choose the right type of spring to install.
Wear and tear
The trampoline mat may tear due to physical damage. Here are some ways to patch it.
Quick-sew-repair
The best approach to quickly mend a trampoline mat is to get a repair kit. By doing this, you can avoid buying materials that are not UV-resistant.
Following these simple instructions make mending your trampoline a breeze:
- Cut a circle out of the patch. Make it at least two inches wider than the tear in diameter because you need some overlap.
- To stop the patch from tearing in the future, delicately run a lighter or match around the edges.
- To prevent sliding when sewing, secure the patch with pins.
- Finally, use a whip stitch to stitch around the patch.
No-sew-repair
You’ll also want a cleaner, and the manufacturer advises using isopropyl alcohol. Here is a complete guide to it:
- Clean the mat’s bottom and top thoroughly where the glue will contact them.
- Put the patch on the mat’s bottom.
- Top with the sticky liquid as the mat can absorb the adhesive.
- Set it aside for 10 to 12 hours.
This method takes a long time because you have to wait for the glue to dry so that you can sew the patch.
If the weather is cold, the glue can’t cure correctly as it requires temperatures over 41°F.
Flex-tape repair
The bond of Flex Tape grows stronger with use and pressure. It resists harsh temperature and weather conditions. Use it as follows:
- Apply the tape to the mat tear or hole.
- Continue on the trampoline mat’s underside.
- Use the Flex Seal Spray to seal the patch. The spray is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures.
- Follow the can’s directions for drying.
The manufacturer asserts that it can work on dry and wet surfaces and even underwater. However, we still don’t advise fixing the mat in the rain.
Contact a professional
You can always hire a professional if, after considering your DIY repair choices, you feel overwhelmed by the idea of doing it yourself.
The professional will remove the whole mat, fix it, and return it to you in a new condition.
The price for this service varies depending on how damaging the hole is:
- Hole patch: $25
- Basic resew: $60
Complete rebuild: $85
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do trampoline mats stretch out?
Trampoline mats degrade in elasticity with continuous use. The primary reasons for this problem are:
- Rust that causes springs to wear out
- Damaged portions of the mat
- Excessive weight on the mat
You can avoid stretched mats by checking them frequently. Add more springs once you notice that the pre-installed ones can’t give you the perfect bounce.
2. Do trampolines get bouncier over time?
The answer to this tricky question relies primarily on how old the trampoline is.
Yes, if the trampoline is new. Before it actually starts to stretch, the new spring generally requires some wear and tear.
No, if the trampoline is old. Once it reaches the optimal stretching ability, it will degrade over time and can’t get better.
3. Can you fix stretched trampoline springs?
Although it’s better to change springs of the same length, you can increase their size by one inch without compromising the ability to bounce.
Since the trampoline height comes with the original length of springs in mind, please note that the longer the spring, the greater the chance you may hit the ground.
Conclusion
The springs and bounce cords may be the cause of loose trampoline mats.
However, you can’t avoid this problem because it will definitely happen after extended use.
You can learn tips to deal with your trampoline. If you are not confident, contact a professional. Then, all you need to do is to wait for your fixed or new mat.
Thank you for following this post!