Maintaining the condition and protective properties of the padding covering solid walls is an ongoing effort that athletic you must continue on a regular basis after we install your field wall pads.
At some point, the padding will wear out and no longer prevent injuries adequately. If you are negligent in maintaining or replacing a worn out pad, it will give the appearance that it will continue to provide protection. The existence of such padding does more harm than good, as it is misleading to those using the facilities.
Ongoing injuries and lawsuits that occur in collegiate sports serve to emphasize the importance of facility operators in choosing and maintaining functional wall padding in gyms and other athletic venues. Therefore, you must be specific in choosing the right thickness and material when maintaining or replacing your wall pads.
Choosing Adequate Replacement Wall Padding
One of the problems that schools face when selecting wall padding is buying padding that will produce enough protection for the athletes according to the sport they engage in. Pads may feel cushiony and look nice, but they may not offer much in the way of shock-absorbency. Therefore, if you are going to invest the money to buy wall pads, you need to make sure that what you are buying is suited to the application.
Most padding consists of two types of filler foam:
1. Open Cell. Open-cell foam allows air to pass from one tiny cell to another when compressed.
2. Closed Cell. In closed-cell foam, each cell acts like a balloon, with encapsulated air absorbing the brunt of compression.
What is the difference? The chance that an athlete would feel the hard surface behind the pad is much greater with an open-cell foam. So, if you go with an open cell pad, you either to need to get a thicker pad or purchase a pad with some type of durable vinyl covering. The covering provides abuse protection and also traps the air in there. You get a little better cushioning because that air doesn't escape as quickly.
Getting the Most Out of Your Wall Pads
Since the typical lifespan of a wall pad is seven to fifteen years, it is important that you inspect and maintain the pads so that you can maximize their life expectancy.
Outdoor pads, like those found on the outfield walls and dugout railings in baseball parks and at the base of football goalposts, are usually covered in heavier vinyl that has been treated chemically for UV resistance. The treatment keeps the pads from wearing out more quickly. Still, an annual checkup and maintenance is a good idea even for the most heavy-duty pads considering that the people running into them are strong athletes.
You may also want to change out your padding every three or four years for aesthetic reasons, despite the fact the pads are fully functional. Indoor padding, meanwhile, could last indefinitely. It all depends on the quality of material and how you are utilizing it.
Wall Pads for Your Athletic Facility
Fieldwallpads.com offers high-end wall pads for both outdoor and indoor facilities. Our products are made with superior padding and covering to protect your college athletes no matter what sport they play.
To find out more about our products or schedule a consultation, call us at 800-257-6406. You can also message us on our contact page.