Additional Maintenance - Backyard Step 2 4906 Manual Del Usario

Your Step2 structure is designed and constructed of quality materials. As with all
outdoor products it will weather and wear. To maximize the enjoyment, safety and
life of your structure it is important that you properly maintain it.
About Our Wood
Step2 uses 100% Cedar (C. Lanceolata) wood.
Although we take great care in selecting
the best quality lumber available, wood is
still a product of nature and susceptible
to weathering which can change the
appearance of your set.
What causes weathering? Does it
affect the strength of my product?
One of the main reasons for weathering is the
effects of water (moisture); the moisture content
of the wood at the surface is different than the
interior of the wood. As the climate changes,
moisture moves in or out of the wood, causing
tension which can result in checking and or
warping. You can expect the following due to
weathering. These changes will not affect the
strength of the product:
1. Checking is surface cracks in the wood along
the grain. A post (4" x 4") will experience more
checking than a board (1" x 4") because the surface
and interior moisture content will vary more widely
than in thinner wood.
2. Warping results from any distortion (twisting,
cupping) from the original plane of the board and
often happens from rapid wetting and drying of
the wood.
3. Fading happens as a natural change in the
wood color as it is exposed to sun-light and will
turn grey over time.
How can I reduce the amount of
weathering to wood product?
1. Your wood product is coated with a water-
based stain. Sunlight will break down the coating,
so we recommend applying a water repellent or
stain on a yearly basis (see your local stain and
paint supplier for a recommended product). You
must apply some type of protection (sealant) to
the wood of your product. Please note this is a
requirement of your warranty. Most weathering
is just the normal result of nature and will not
affect safety. However if you are concerned that a
part has experienced a severe weathering problem
please call our customer service department for
further assistance.
2. Inspect wood parts monthly. The grain of
the wood sometimes will lift in the dry season
causing splinters to appear. Light sanding may be
necessary to maintain a safe environment. Treating
your Product with protection (sealant) after
sanding will help prevent severe checking/splitting
and other weather damage.
OWNERS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE LEGIBILITY OF THE WARNING LABELS
Instructions for Proper Maintenance
IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK AND TIGHTEN ALL HARDWARE AT THE
BEGINNING AND DURING THE PLAY SEASON AS THEY MAY LOOSEN DUE TO
WOOD EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION.
At the beginning of each play season
• Tighten all hardware.
• Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, and corners. Replace if they are loose, cracked, or missing.
• Check all wood members for deterioration and splinters. Sand down splinters and replace
deteriorating wood members.
• Reinstall any plastic parts, such as swing seats or any other items that were removed for the cold season.
• Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to
maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
Twice a month during play season
• Tighten all hardware.
• Check all protective coverings on bolts, pipes, edges, & corners. Replace if they are loose, cracked, or missing.
• Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to
maintain appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.
At the end of each play season or when the temperature drops below 32° F
• Remove plastic swing seats and other items as specified by the manufacturer and take indoors or do not use.
• Rake and check depth of loose fill protective surfacing materials to prevent compaction and to maintain
appropriate depth. Replace as necessary.

Additional Maintenance

• Check hardware every two weeks due to wood expansion and contraction. It is particularly
important that this procedure be followed at the beginning of each season.
• Inspect wood parts monthly. The grain of the wood sometimes will lift in the dry season causing
splinters to appear. Light sand may be necessary to maintain a safe playing environment. Treat your
playset with stain regularly, to help prevent severe checking/splitting and other weather damage.
• A waterbased transparent stain has been applied to your playset. This is done for color only. Once
or twice a year, depending on your climate conditions, you must apply some type of protection
(sealant) to the wood of your unit. Prior to the application of sealant, lightly sand any "rough" spots
on your playset. Please note this is a requirement of your warranty.
• Assembling and maintaining the playset on a level location is very important. As your children play,
your playset will slowly dig its way into the soil, and it is very important that it settles evenly. Make
sure the playset is level once each year or at the beginning of each play season.
Disposal Instructions
When the Playcenter use is no longer desired, it should be disassembled and disposed of in such a
way that no unreasonable hazards will exist at the time the unit is discarded.
Third Party Assembly
Customer may, in their sole discretion, elect to use a third party person or service to assemble this
product. Step2 assumes no responsibility or liability for any charge incurred by the Customer for any
assembly services' . Please see our warranty for more information about damaged and missing part
replacement coverage. Step2 will not reimburse Customer for the price of parts purchased.
Limited Warranty
Product warranty can be found online at:
www.Step2.com www.Step2.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/176
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