A Helpful Guide to Maintaining & Inspecting Your Netting

By Quinn McKenna

At InCord Play, we have been producing custom netting and rope components for waterparks, amusement parks, and attraction builders for more than twenty years. Over the decades, we’ve seen just about everything — and we understand how important it is to keep your park in top-notch condition.

When something goes wrong, costs can add up fast. That’s why we’re sharing expert insight on how to spot problems early, mitigate damage, and get the most out of your netting investment.

Waterpark netting is exposed to multiple sources of wear every day. Both natural elements and guest use contribute to fiber degradation. While you can’t eliminate these factors, you can manage them to extend the life of your netting and identify damage before it becomes a safety or operational issue.

Understanding Climate Factors That Impact Netting Lifespan

Netting and cordage have a finite lifespan, and climate conditions directly influence that lifespan.

The farther south a park is located, the greater the sun exposure and the longer the operating season. Parks in warmer climates often operate year-round, resulting in greater UV exposure and higher daily use. In short, netting in Texas will wear out much faster than netting in Pennsylvania.

UV Damage and Fiber Breakdown

The most significant everyday contributor to netting deterioration is ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

For aesthetic netting, such as fencing and theming components, UV exposure causes color fading as dyes break down. Over time, UV rays can weaken fibers, which is especially concerning for interactive components like cargo nets, climbing nets, and barrier netting.

When evaluating UV damage, look for:

• Faded or chalky coloring
• Brittle texture
• Tiny fibers shedding onto hands or surfaces

If you observe fiber shedding, the material is degrading, and replacement should be strongly considered.

How Dirt, Sand, and Contaminants Accelerate Wear

Contaminants such as sand, dirt, rust, and air pollution also contribute to netting degradation.

These particles work their way into the fibers, causing friction and abrasion. Over time, this cuts fibers and speeds up deterioration. This issue is most severe on interactive attractions, where netting experiences constant movement and load-bearing.

To limit damage from contaminants, regularly hose down your netting with clean water. Flushing the fibers with clean water removes abrasive particles and extends the life of your netting. Hardware typically moves, making it especially vulnerable to contamination buildup. Be sure to target:

• Netting panels
• Rope components
• Metal hardware and attachment points

Monitoring Common Wear and Tear Patterns

Nets should always be attached evenly so that force is distributed appropriately across the hardware and borders. Uneven attachment places excess stress on specific components, leading to premature failure.

Check that lashing is tight and continuous, hardware is evenly loaded and that there is no excessive play or movement.

Sagging Cargo Nets and Walkways

Cargo walks and ramps can develop sag over time due to guest traffic. Excessive sag allows netting to contact structural elements, which causes abrasion and wear.

High-traffic attractions wear faster simply because kids love to climb, swing, and bounce on them. These nets can be re-tensioned by taking in a mesh on one side and lashing it back to the support bar. This can be done without removing the original lashing.

Identifying High-Wear Guest Contact Areas

Some wear is expected with daily operation, but certain areas experience higher-than-average contact. Common examples include:

• Fencing where parents lean while watching children
• Barrier netting where guests rest their feet
• Entry and exit points on attractions

These areas often develop holes from repeated pressure or vandalism. Small holes or broken mesh can usually be repaired by taking in a mesh on each side and mending with thread. Larger holes may require patching.

Conducting Regular Netting Inspections

Routine inspections are the most effective way to prevent failures and unplanned downtime. Start by creating a list of every netting element in your park. Walk through the park and inspect each one. Take photos to track wear progression and maintain a visual maintenance history.

Inspection Checklist

During inspections, look for:

• Fraying fibers
• Broken mesh
• Excessive sag
• Netting separating from borders
• Cut or unravel the lashing
• Rusted or loose hardware

Maintain a signed and dated inspection log for documentation.

Hardware should only be replaced with supplier-approved components. Using substitute hardware may compromise safety and void warranties.

INSPECTION CHECKLIST PDF