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Rubber Mulch / Toddlers Playground

Good Morning Fellows...... Has anybody had any experience with the use of rubber mulch or chippings used for childrens play areas? I have been approached by a toddlers group who operate 3 times a week for 3 hours each session.

They are looking to have an enclosed playground with small outdoor toys and climbing frames etc. I believe they have already received an estimate for the area to be covered in artificial grass which came in at around £13k for an area of 6.5 sq metres. Does this sound right to anyone reading this?
Naturally this to me seemed rather an excessive amount, but i would like to know has anyone got experince with the use of rubber mulch. My main concern is primarily to do with bacteria such as E.Coli , Salmonella etc, does this material harbour any of the micro organisms. Any answers would be gratefully appreciated and advice on suitable suppliers would be even better. Many thanks

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  • We do quite a few children's nurseries. Firstly with regards rubber mulch, I have had a very bad experience of using this where it wasn't manufactured correctly, and myself and the client ended up with a large headache and bill, whilst the manufacturer who admitted liability, squirmed and wriggled until they went bust, leaving others in the same position. I have yet to see any of it that lasts a reasonable amount of time when I seen it used in other locations, whereby it doesn't come apart or the colour wears off resulting in marking of children's clothes and skin. Another problem we found that although it drains quite freely if the soil underneath is not very free draining the foot traffic over the mulch effectively pumps the mud back up through the mulch, even with a decent geotextile fabric underneath. I can certainly tell you via a private message or email who not to use, because they appear to be trading again.

    Am I reading it correct as 6.5m2 or should it be 65 m2? Either way that sounds extremely high to the point of being ridiculous. We have just done two children's nurseries with artificial grass, and the m2 price would be nowhere near that.

  • Rubber mulch -bonded as in public play grounds using EPDM on top of recycled rubber as a base is a PIG to lay unless you have the right equipment and experience. Can be very expensive if laid wrongly.

    There are no problems with E.coli or Salmonella etc. why would there be? It wouldn't be used in public spaces otherwise.

    £13000 for artificial grass for 6.5 sqm? Really?
    Depending on CFH - critical fall height - depending on the fall height of equipment to be used on site, site preparation etc. I cant see this being more than £650.

    For rubber crumb play surface, for 6.5 sqm, this should be no more than £1000.

    You can use recycled car tyres for a playground, still bonded and much cheaper than EPDM. Doesnt need a base as such and can be laid at 50mm thick, porous and looks lovely.

    I reckon you got your measurements wrong.

    Email me for more information- stuart@tvglandscaping.co.uk

  • Good Morning Stuart and Thermo......The price i mentioned for the artificial turf was done by another company. The client showed me the quotation in black and white. It was for 6.5 m2. I thought it was rather excessive and i have no experience with this material. I have watched a company on You Tube installing this stuff and admittedly i was impressed with it. But as you have both commented already. I felt the client was being taken to the cleaners so to speak. Admittedly there was some picket fencing to be installed on top of this project. Thank you both so much for your discussion pointers.

  • Message for Thermo - please would you be kind enough to let me know the name of the company where the rubber goes black - I'm happy to explain the reasons in more detail. 

    Give me a call if it's easier on 01953 852138 and ask for George

  • George,

    if you pm me we can go from there, I don't want to name and shame on a public forum as much as I would like to!

  • reply sent George, hope it helps

This reply was deleted.

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