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9 In-Ground Trampoline Retaining Wall Kits!

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9 In-Ground Trampoline Retaining Wall Kits!

Last Updated on October 5, 2023

Trampoline retaining wall building is an important task to make live the in-ground trampoline. Whether you want to bury the sunken trampoline alone or hire a professional installer, it’s recommended to know the process so you can understand everything is going well. DIY retaining wall kits are available in the market. With these, you can make the retaining wall by yourself.

In this article, we’ll teach you how can you build an in-ground trampoline retaining wall easily within your budget. So, read the full guidelines to learn the process.

What is A Trampoline Retaining Wall?

trampoline-retaining-wall

In-ground trampoline retaining walls are used for landscaping purposes and to hold the soil in place surrounding the trampoline. They also provide a solid base to the trampoline that prevents dirt and sliding the trampoline. The retaining walls are set near the edge of the trampoline perimeter. As a DIY, you may install the retaining wall but some walls require professional installers.

Installers add dirt or soil from the excavated hole to secure the trampoline along with the frame. You may install the retaining wall by yourself or hire professionals.

Why Do I Need Retaining Walls for In-Ground Trampoline?

The retaining wall holds the soil in place. So, this protects the landscape from collapsing. Thus, if you need to install an in-ground trampoline again in the future there is no need to excavate the place again. In this way, it also saves some money. In this case, you have to do some simple maintenance.

In-Ground Trampoline Retaining Wall Kits Material

There are several types of materials that are used in retaining wall kits for the in-ground trampoline. Out there, plastic and metal are the most frequently used ones.

Plastic Panels

This is a cheap and lightweight in-ground trampoline wall kit. Sometimes polyethylene and synthetic materials are also used instead of plastic. They are flexible and provide easy installation than steel panels.

Steel Panels

These panels are very durable and long-lasting materials for retaining walls for trampoline pits. They are expensive options but provide the most reliable wall to hold the soil in place.

In-Ground Trampoline Retaining Wall DIY Ideas

There are different types of trampoline retaining wall kits. One kit might be better than another in some ways. According to your situation, you have to choose the right way. Let’s know some of the most common in-ground trampoline retaining wall kits.

Corrugated Steel

This is a strong retaining wall that works against rust and corrosion. If you need any last longer retaining wall kit, this is highly recommended. But these retaining walls are heavy enough and quite expensive. Thus they are quite hard to move in the retaining wall position. Moreover, they need some premium-quality bolts or screws and heavy-duty metal posts for attaching them together.

Corrugated-Steel
Source: thishomemadehome.com

Railroad Ties

These retaining walls are used for landscaping projects and gardens. They have bugs away treatment. These walls are quite heavy but easier to put in place. Using the sledgehammer and steel rods, you can put them easily in place.

Besides their good aspects, they have two major drawbacks. They are difficult to cut and get the right size. Also, water is a threat to them as water may weaken or even ruin these retaining walls.

Concrete

In this process, you can put dirt blocks on one side and concrete on another side. There will be not much pressure thus you can use 2 by 2 or 4 by 4 stakes to anchor the boards in place.

Then attach the 1/2 or 3/4 inch shiplap that will be an alternative to the wood board. Rectangle holes can be easily built but you’ve to cut the right shape for the circular model.

After getting the boards in the right size, put them in place. Then take some 2 by 4 braces to nail them to hold them in place. Also, add rebar to grab on it. Don’t choose too wet or very dry concrete.

Concrete Block

Concrete-Block-for-Retaining-Wall-for-In-Ground-Trampoline

This is very easy to use compared to concrete. Before you use these blocks figure out how many blocks you need actually. In this method, you also need to use rebars to get the full strength of concrete.

If you want to build a retaining wall, lay down a small amount of concrete on the outside of the dirt wall. Then put down the first block row touching the dirt wall.

After that, add concrete or mortar between the blocks to be sure they create a solid wall. Thus, you can make the wall strong using mortar.

Moreover, you can also pour concrete inside the concrete blocks. Continue the process until you reach the top of the wall.

TDU Retaining Wall System

This is a lightweight wall that allows it to be put together without much effort. Therefore, you can set your trampoline up easily with this system. It is made from non-metal material thus there is no need to cut sharp metal edges.

Moreover, rounded edges can be handled without any fear. The interlocking system makes this very durable. You can snap them in place using the self-tapping screws.

TDU Retaining Wall System
Source: hellogardening.co.uk

Brick And Mortar

The most classic retaining wall is brick and mortar. Before building the retaining wall measure first how much brick and mortar you need. They are available everywhere thus you can get them easily.

If you want to strengthen the wall, use double-row bricks. Then mix the mortar with bricks. Avoid too dry or very wet mortar. The process is time-consuming but provides great appearance and durability.

All-In-One Systems

These retaining walls aren’t available too much in the market. They are found as a part of the retaining wall kit. So, there is no need for extra purchases and you can put them quickly.

They look nice and you don’t need any frame but they provide a great bounce.  But they have some drawbacks like they are very expensive that you aren’t expecting.

No Retaining Wall System

If you want to install a trampoline without any retaining wall, this will be your choice but not recommended. It cuts the corners thus saving your money but quite risky. The things you need to do are dig the trampoline pit and then lay down the above-ground trampoline without legs in the hole.

But this doesn’t give proper ventilation hence bounce. This is not a good idea actually but you can do this only if you can’t afford the sunken trampoline.

Trampoline Frame Sheet Metal Retaining Wall

Another way to make a retaining wall is to use the trampoline’s steel frame itself as a support for retaining walls. This needs some drilling in the legs but this is not too easy.

Then insert the 2 by 4s long leg screws in the drilled holes that you’ve bought. After that secure the bolts with washers tightly.

Now lower the frame metal wall in the hole. Then attach the mat with the frame when there is proper drainage, ventilation, etc. Be sure the trampoline is leveled properly. You can use the carpenter’s level to check the level.

How to Build Your Own Retaining Wall For Sunken Trampolines

How-to-Build-Your-Own-Retaining-Wall-For-Sunken-Trampolines

Using each of the above-mentioned in-ground trampoline retaining wall kits, you can make in-ground trampoline retaining walls. Here we’ll teach you the best ways to make in-ground trampoline retaining walls using concrete blocks.

DIY Retaining Wall Using Concrete Block

This is a popular method that’s why we’re discussing the process here. Let’s reveal the steps.

Step 1:  Dig the right size hole according to the trampoline size

The depth of the hole should be shorter than a couple of inches than the trampoline lip. This will provide better airflow. The exact depth depends on the trampoline dimensions.

In most cases, the inner hole size is almost 2 ft smaller than the outer hole diameter. For a 10 ft trampoline (suitable for adults too), you need 30 inches deep hole and an 8 ft inner circle diameter.

Digging-hole-for-building-in-ground-trampoline-retaining-wall
Source: remodelaholic.com

Step 2:  Smooth out the dirt floor sides and walls

Remove the stones, sharp items, and protruding roots from the hole. Otherwise, they might damage the trampoline and even cause injuries.

Step 3:  Layout the stone blocks

Place the stone blocks in the hole. Make sure you lay down one row of stones at once and they fit in the hole well.

Step 4:  Add rebar and mix the concrete

Rebar will strengthen the concrete. Then mix the concrete well and pour in the holes in the concrete walls.

Step 5:  Continue until the end

After completing one row of rebar, concrete, and concrete block continue the process until you reach the ground height.

Now check whether everything is okay or not. If needed do some finishing work. These are the basics to make any retaining wall of any type. But due to material variations, the process may differ a bit.

[wpsm_video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Rn2q7_AAA[/wpsm_video]

In-Ground Trampoline Retaining Wall Kits Suggestions

In-ground trampoline retaining walls are available in different sizes and types. They are usually expensive due to heavy-duty materials to sustain for a longer period. Here are several good models suggestions for you.

Queries on Building Retaining Walls for In-Ground Trampolines

How well does a corrugated trampoline retaining wall hold up?

Corrugated retaining walls are designed durably so they don’t cause erosion by soil and water. Due to heavy load capacity, they don’t affect by surrounding soil pressure. So they are really good retaining walls.

Why in-ground trampoline drainage is necessary?

If the in-ground trampoline pit hasn’t any drainage system stagnant water may cause serious problems.  The drain should be joined with the central drainage system to drain out the water under the trampoline.

Sand and soakaway can draw a small amount of water but when the trampoline pit fills up you need something special that can drain out the water. Sometimes a pump can help you to get rid of such situations temporarily.

How to create airflow in sunken trampolines?

Corrugated metal has sharp edges that might cause injury. So, they should be handled well. Moreover, grass can be grown towards the metal retaining wall which might also cover the metal edges.

So, you should keep some space for airflow for a good bouncing experience. Without proper airflow, the trampoline will give you hard bounces.

Where to hire in-ground trampoline retaining wall installers?

There are different in-ground trampoline retaining wall installer services. You can search on the web with your location, you’ll get lots of options to take service from them. Utah trampoline retaining wall installer is a prominent installing service.

Conclusion

Making a retaining wall is a must for the in-ground trampoline installation. Retaining wall kits are quite expensive but do a great job to hold your trampoline. Strong retaining walls provide better support and last longer.

While making retaining walls also consider the drainage system, air flow, weed barrier, etc, for a better bounce and fun.

Here we’ve discussed several methods to build retaining walls. You can install a trampoline retaining wall without much effort by following our guidelines.

If you want, you can also hire professional installers. But, we encourage you to install it on your own to develop your skills. Happy backyard trampolining!

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