Can You Jump on a Trampoline with a Missing Spring? [Risky or Safe?]

Most homeowners do not think too hard or look too closely into the different components of a trampoline. As long as it bounces well and it is safe, there is no reason to worry about it, right?

Well, no. Understanding your trampoline is the first step to making sure you do not risk running into any accidents.

For example, most people think that the jumping mat of the trampoline is what affects its bounce. While it might be true to some extent, the true hero behind the bounciness of your trampoline is its springs. The more the spring count, and the longer they are, the better it will bounce.

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Needless to say, if one or two springs break off the trampoline, it will have some sort of impact on its overall performance. But is it still safe to use? Will it affect the bounciness of the trampoline? And if you do decide to use it, is there a chance of breaking your trampoline?

The short answer is that using a trampoline with a missing spring is not a good idea. There are plenty of risks to this, and replacing the faulty spring should be your top priority.

I will talk about the risks and help you get a better understanding of how the springs affect the trampoline.

What Do Trampoline Springs Do?

Trampoline springs play a vital role in the safety and bounciness of the trampoline. If you think of your trampoline like a car, its springs would be its engine.

When you jump on a trampoline, the springs are responsible for causing the jumping mat to go down. And as the spring recoils, the trampoline mat jumps up again, allowing you to jump along.

The number of springs and their length also dictate how high you can jump on the trampoline. While a typical 12-foot trampoline can feature 72 springs, some bigger models can come with more than 100 springs. As for the length, you can find springs as long as 10 inches with larger trampolines.

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However, if you want the short and simple answer, trampoline springs use the energy that you produce as you jump on the trampoline mat and redirect it upwards, allowing you to gain momentum and height as you are jumping.

Why Are My Trampoline Springs Breaking?

Even if you have a large rectangular trampoline with top-notch springs installed, you have to eventually replace it. Don’t get me wrong; trampoline springs are not exactly fragile. But if you frequently use your trampoline, you will naturally cause it to wear out sooner or later.

To make sure your trampoline springs last longer, you need to make sure you are landing on the center of the mat between each jump. Needless to say, this can be a hard feat, even for an excellent jumper. And if two or more people are jumping at the same time on the trampoline, landing in the center can be hard.

But if you land off-center, it will put more stress on some springs than the others. And the uneven stress on the spring can cause it to wear out faster. Some may argue that this is a design flaw for trampolines, but that’s just how it is.

Furthermore, if you leave your trampoline out in the rain or use it during winter without spring covers, it can get rusty over time. Most trampoline springs are made of galvanized steel, though, so that is not very likely. But it is still a possibility that you should know about.

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The best way to keep your springs from rusting is to use a trampoline spring cover. Besides, the spring cover will also protect you against accidents, so there is no reason not to get one if your trampoline does not come with it.

Ideally, you want to inspect your trampoline from time to time and oil the springs when necessary. That way, when a trampoline spring breaks or gets rusty, you will be able to catch it right away. Replacing a broken spring as soon as possible is the best way to prevent accidents.

What’s The Problem with Having a Missing Trampoline Spring?

Using a trampoline with a missing spring can lead to a host of problems both in terms of your safety and your trampoline’s durability. Frankly, it is not worth the risk. And since springs are not that expensive, I can’t think of any good reason not to replace them right away.

Here are a couple of potential dangers to using a trampoline with a missing spring that you ought to know about.

1. Damage to Mat

When you are jumping on a trampoline, its jumping mat is stretched tightly in the middle as springs from every direction pull on it. Since the springs in your trampoline are located evenly, the weight distribution is even across the surface.

However, if there is a missing spring somewhere, the tension becomes uneven. One part of the spring will pull with a greater force, while the section with the missing spring will not be able to pull as hard. This can cause the mat to stretch unevenly and can even make it rip.

Without proper weight distribution, the fibers of the mat will wear out faster. And if the mat rips when you are jumping on it, it can lead to some pretty serious accidents.

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2. Damage to Springs

Similar to how a missing spring can damage the mat, it can also damage the rest of the springs around the trampoline. When you are jumping on a trampoline with a broken spring, the rest of the springs need to compensate for the missing one. This can cause additional stress on the working springs.

The additional stress can cause your working springs to snap off. Over time, more and more springs will start snapping off until your trampoline becomes completely unusable. But if you just replace the faulty spring the moment you notice it, you can avoid this entire situation.

3. Damage to Frame

While unlikely, there is still a small chance of damaging the trampoline frame because of a missing spring. When all the springs are in working condition, it produces an even tension around the trampoline. However, when one or two springs are faulty and broken, the tension gets uneven.

Because of the uneven pressure, some parts of the trampoline frame face greater stress causing it to bend or wrap. This is not that common, though, especially with a decent trampoline frame. However, with budget models, the frame is not as strong and is more vulnerable to warping.

4. Safety Risk

Apart from damaging your trampoline, there are some personal safety risks to using a trampoline with a broken spring. If your trampoline does not come with a spring cover, the missing spring will leave a gaping hole. It is very easy to get your limb stuck in the gap.

Even if your trampoline has a spring cover, this is a risk that you need to know about. I would always recommend replacing your missing or broken spring the moment you notice it. Putting it off for later can lead to a lot of unfortunate events that are simply not worth risking.

How Long Can You Go with A Missing Trampoline Spring?

I would recommend replacing a missing trampoline spring right away to avoid any accidents. However, if the person using it is well under the weight limit of the trampoline, you might be able to get away with it for a day or two. Still, it is not worth the risk if you ask me.

What Size Spring to Order to Replace a Missing Spring?

It depends on the trampoline brand and size. Different trampolines use different sizes of springs, and there is no way to tell which size is right for you without knowing about it. There are ways to measure the spring size of your trampoline, but for results, I would recommend contacting the manufacturer.

Can You Use a Trampoline with One Broken Spring?

Yes, you can still use the trampoline. However, I would not recommend it as it can lead to a lot of big issues.

Every Spring on a Trampoline Matters

Springs are the heart and soul of your trampoline. And the moment you notice one break, get it replaced pronto. Every single spring matters, and if you think that one spring won’t make much of a difference, you are just asking for trouble.

Replacing a broken spring not only prevents accidents but also protects the rest of the trampoline components from getting damaged further. I hope I could explain how important it is not to overlook a missing or broken trampoline spring. Good luck!