Why Playground Marking Removal Is Essential For Any Playground Update
Updated on: November 7, 2023
Ever wish someone had shared their experience before you took decisive action? Well, here’s our insider advice for you: playground marking removal is an essential part of any playground update.
We’re a leading supplier of innovative thermoplastic playground markings. Our full range of services includes playground marking design, installation, removals, and cleaning.
Before our customers have their playground markings installed, we recommend they have any old playground markings removed first.
Why?
Playground markings are decorative surface coverings that are designed to last. However, if the original surface is in bad condition, it will affect the appearance and longevity of the newly installed markings.
Uneven surfaces, flakes of peeling paint and different patches of faded colour are bound to affect the finish.
From blurred lines to uneven application, without playground removal first, your playground markings will not look as good as they should. Worse still, they won’t stick to the surface properly or provide the performance you want.
The process of playground marking removal for schools is quick and simple so it’s a valuable investment which will ensure your new markings are the firmly-fixed, long-lasting, clear and bright designs you want them to be.
Let’s take a closer look at what the removal of playground markings will mean for your playground refurbishment.
Why Playground Marking Removal Is Essential
How Playground Markings Are Removed
The are number of ways school playground markings can be removed. We recommend our customers use vapour blasting because in our experience, it’s the most effective and efficient way to leave outdoor surfaces clean and ready for installation.
The actual process of clearing away any old designs is straightforward, so it won’t complicate the installation of your new playground markings.
What Is Vapour Blasting?
Vapour blasting is sometimes known as wet blasting because it involves a mixture of compressed air, pressurised water, and an abrasive material, such as crushed glass or aluminium oxide.
The slurry is pushed across the playground surface at force to slough away the old markings.
Our in-house team will use a device called a pressure pot which has a nozzle attachment through which the surface cleaning mixture is applied.
The vapour blasting method is favoured because there’s:
No harmful dust: the inclusion of water means vapour blasting doesn’t produce hazardous dust as the particles stick to the water and fall to the ground.
No heated playground surface: unlike dry blasting, vapour blasting won’t raise the temperature of your playground which can cause wider problems, such as surrounding materials cracking, melting, or warping.
Superior Clean: vapour blasting delivers the best surface clean because the inclusion of pressurised water provides a forceful, deep clean that’s unrivalled by any other method. The old markings will be completely gone, with only very faint scarring visible.
Eco-Friendly: In comparison to sand-blasting, vapour blasting is the most eco-friendly option for playground marking removals. It doesn’t leave hazardous particles in the air that will deplete the air quality and stick to humans, plants, buildings, and animals.
Alternative Types of Playground Removal
Other types of cleaning methods in use for the removal of playground markings for schools include hydro-blasting, sand jetting and heat and scrape. However, all three leave behind more significant scarring and damage to the surface than vapour blasting does.
What To Expect From Playground Marking Removal
We use in-house staff for all of our services. Whether it’s playground marking installation, removal, or cleaning, you can be sure you’ll receive the same high standard of service from our professional and friendly staff.
All of our team are fully vetted, DBS-checked and highly-experienced. They’ll arrive on time with all the equipment they need.
1. Survey
We’ll assess the condition of your playground before the appointment and agree all the details of the work with you, including the price, which at Fun & Active Playgrounds is continuously reviewed to ensure good value.
2. Removal
On arrival, the team will drive onto the playground where they will need access to:
– an external tapped water supply with a flow rate of 20 litres per minute,
– a power source within 60m of the external water supply.
The team will begin by first blasting away as much of the old markings as possible, then use the jet wash to deliver a full and thorough clean. The vapour blasting machine is noisy so lots of schools book their clean for the weekend in order to minimise disruption.
We can send you a letter that you can give to neighbours in advance to warn them of the impending work.
3. Clean Up
Two members of staff work together to carry out your playground marking removal. Clean up happens at the same time as the vapour blasting. Whilst one member of staff blasts away the old markings a second member of the team will follow behind to clear away all debris with a jet wash.
A second and final jet wash followed by an inspection by both members of staff will ensure your playground is left clean and ready for installation of new markings.
Talk to us about your playground update today on 0800 061 4243. Whether you need playground marking removals, cleaning or brand new playground markings installed, we can help. Send a message to our friendly team today.
See our fully comprehensive guide on Playground Marking Removals for more answers to frequently asked questions, a demonstration video, and a detailed comparison between removal methods.
Jess Sparks
Jess is deeply committed to supporting our mission of positively impacting UK outdoor play environments to promote healthy lifestyles in children.
With a CIM Level 6 Diploma in Sustainable Marketing, Jess channels her passion for sustainability into her marketing role, using her skills to promote eco-conscious practices and raise awareness for our initiatives.
Jess’ experience within the industry is instrumental in driving engagement and supporting connections with those who require ultra-durable, high-grade playground markings both locally and internationally.