Installing Poured in Place Rubber over rubber tiles

In a previous post, I have talked about using our patch kits to fill the gaps that appear sometimes between playground rubber tiles. "Migrating tiles" is a problem we see a lot when the the tiles are installed on crushed stone aggregate. The movement and caving of the sub base creates cavities that pull the tiles apart creating buckling and gaps. If we are talking just gaps, the repair kit solution works. However, sometimes the difference in elevation in grades presents tripping hazards that cannot be solved with patch kits. The obvious solution is to rip up the tiles, redo the substrate and install new tiles.

A cheaper, and perhaps, more elegant solution is to add a layer of buffings to help level the entire area and then add a half inch wear layer on top. The advantage of this approach is that we have left the existing tiles in place, assuming all the shifting that has happened in the sub base is done, whatever channels the water has carved are now accounted for, so building on what we have is better than disturbing the existing situation. We will also get rid of all the gaps in the tiles with a seamless surface. Finally, by adding an inch buffings layer, we will increase the impact attenuation of the surface.

Here is a step by step what we did to the existing surface.

1. We made sure the playground rubber tiles will not migrate laterally any further by reinforcing the timber boarders.
2. We checked for any loose tiles. Those will get a base layer filling underneath to support them properly.
3. We cleaned the surface. Any debris was removed, dirt cleaned and any non anchored equipment moved somewhere else.
4. We primed the tiles with the Trassig PIP Primer.
5. We installed one inch of buffings layer.
6. We let the buffings layer cure for 24 hours.
7. We installed a half inch EPDM layer (Blue and black)
8. We let the EPDM layer cure for 24 to 48 hours.

Not every playground rubber tile situation is a good candidate for a revamp like this. If you are not sure, send me a picture of your rubber tile safety surface to info@trassig.com  and I will advise you the best way I can.

Hal Gourad.