One of the perils of owning a trampoline is damage to the mat.
Even the best quality trampoline mat can inadvertently become impaired.
The trickiest situation to deal with is when you see a small hole in the mat.
Should you fix it immediately? Can your kids still jump on the trampoline if it has a small hole in it?
What exactly should you do?
That is what we are looking at today.
Can You Jump On A Trampoline With A Small Hole In It?
If you find a small hole of around 0.5cm (0.2 inches) in your trampoline, then you should repair it before allowing anyone to use the trampoline. This can be done using duct tape or other heavy-duty tapes. As holes get bigger you might want to consider using a dedicated trampoline repair kit to fix it or taking it to a professional.
When Should You Not Jump on a Trampoline? Trampoline Holes Explained
I guess the most important things to consider when answering the title question are:
- How big is a ‘small’ hole?
- Where is the hole located?
As a general rule of thumb, if the hole is very small less than 0.5cm (0.2 inches), then it can generally be quickly repaired with a few layers of tape and the fun on the trampoline can continue.
So this could be a hole created by a dropped cigarette (from an adult not a child hopefully!), floating ash or maybe from an insect.
As regards the second point, any hole located in or around the center of the trampoline is likely to increase in size very quickly unless immediate action is taken.
Not only is the center of the trampoline the most used part of the mat, but there is more opportunity for any tension on either side of the hole to pull it further apart.
Even if you spot a tiny hole in your trampoline if it is in the center of the mat you want to deal with it immediately To start with this might be applying a specialized tape like Flex-Tape or Gorilla Tape.
So yes, you can jump on a trampoline with a small hole in it provided you use something to cover the hole.
Also if the hole is in the center of the trampoline you want to keep a very close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get any larger.
A general guideline would be:
| Hole Size | Action |
| 0.5cm (0.2 inches) or less | Use tape to patch over it. Keep a close eye on the hole if it is in the center of the trampoline. |
| 0.5cm to 2.5cm (0.2 inches to 1 inch) | Self-repair the mat using a patch kit or sew the hole up. |
| 2.5cm to 5cm (1 inch to 2 inches) | Remove mat and thoroughly repair the hole using a proper patch kit. Or get a professional to repair it for you. |
| Over 5cm (over 2 inches) | Stop jumping and get the mat replaced or repaired professionally! |
How Do You Fix A Small Hole in a Trampoline?
As noted above regardless of the size of a hole in a trampoline you want to repair it as quickly as possible.
If you don’t, it could eventually result in:
- A ripped mat: What is a small hole now can quickly become a large hole, and then a completely ripped mat. You don’t want this.
- Damaged springs: When a hole appears in a trampoline mat, it can affect the way the weight is distributed on the springs. Some springs may be pulled tighter than others, and as a result, they may wear out or break more quickly.
- A damaged frame: When the springs become unbalanced it can also affect the frame, with strain being placed disproportionately on the frame which can bow or collapse completely.
Fix 1: Duct Tape or Specialist Tape
We’ve already alluded to this above, but using duct tape is an effective way of solving the problem of small holes.
You can use plain old duct tape, although to be on the safe side you might want to invest in something like Gorilla Tape or Flex Tape which are stronger, waterproof and UV Resistant.
Simply apply a couple of layers to both sides of the hole. You can also use a rubber sealant coating for extra strength, although this isn’t necessary.
Let it dry/seal and your trampoline is good to go again.
- Great For: A quick fix for small holes less than 1cm (0.4 inches).
Fix 2: Adhesive Trampoline Repair Kit Patch
In many ways similar to using duct tape, an adhesive patch can be used to quickly and easily fix a small hole.
All you need to do is measure the size of the hole and then cut two patches that are roughly 2 inches wider.
The patches will come with industrial-grade glue that is waterproof.
Apply the glue to one of the patches and press it down over the hole, and hold for a few minutes.
Repeat the process with the second patch on the other side of the hole.
Leave for 12 to 24 hours.
After this time the trampoline should be good to use.
There are a number of trampoline repair kits for sale on Amazon.
- Great For: A quick fix for holes up to 5cm (2 inches).
Fix 3: Sew-On Trampoline Repair Kit Patch
If you are confident in your sewing skills, then a sew-on trampoline patch can be an excellent long-term way of fixing a small hole.
With adhesive patches you are at risk of the glue eventually be compromised in the sun and rain.
Sew-on repair kit patches come with heavy-duty thread and UV-resistant patches. However you do have to be able to sew them on properly, otherwise the repair won’t last long!
They work in exactly the same way as adhesive patches except the glue is replaced by thread.
- Great For: A strong, quick fix for holes up to 5cm (2 inches).
Fix 4: Hire A Professional
If you have a hole that is larger than 2 inches in size you most probably want to enlist the services of a professional.
Once you start getting to that size, a DIY repair might not last long enough, and is literally like trying to fix a deep cut using a sticking plaster.
Use your good friend Google to find a sporting goods shop in the area that can take a look at your mat and let you know if it is repairable or if you need to…
Fix 5: Replace the Mat
If the damage to your mat is extensive enough then you might find that repairing it is just not possible.
If it has multiple holes or a hole more than around 4 inches in size, then the only option will be to buy a new trampoline mat.
Final Thoughts
Yes you can most definitely jump on a trampoline with a small hole, as long as you take some basic action to fix it.
Most small holes can simply be fixed by using heavy-duty tape. You do want to keep an eye on it though, as a small hole can grow in size quite quickly.
If that does happen then you might want to consider investing in a proper trampoline repair kit or taking it to a professional to fix.
No matter what size hole you find in your trampoline don’t just leave it, use one of the methods we have outlined above to fix it.
Good luck!