SeaTac Play Area Borders & Surfacing Services
Hello, SeaTac! If you have a backyard play zone, you know it faces a lot—rain, kids, pets, and the occasional muddy mishap. When borders fail or surfacing wears thin, you’re left with a messy area and potential hazards. We’re here to help! We create simple, safe, and tidy play areas that are visually appealing and easy to maintain.
What’s the Problem?
Does this sound familiar?
- Chips or gravel spilling into your lawn and garden beds due to lack of edge restraint.
- Low surfacing depth under swings or at slide exits showing hardpan.
- Water pooling in the pit, clogging fabric causing drainage issues.
- Uneven border heights leading to trip hazards and mower headaches.
What We Build (and Why It Works)
Borders that Stay Put
- Timber “play timbers” (ground-contact rated) secured with rebar spikes for neat radiuses and clean corners.
- Steel or aluminum edging for sleek, low-profile perimeters that simplify mowing.
- Paver or stone bands for a polished look when you want to enhance your play area.
- Concrete mow strips to prevent aggressive turf creep and maintain high-traffic edges.
Surfacing Options
- Play chips / Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) — our top choice for residential areas; excellent fall absorption when installed correctly.
- Washed pea gravel (select use) — decorative only; not recommended for toddlers or steep slopes.
- Rubber tiles/mats (select zones) — ideal for slide exits and swing landings to minimize scatter.
- Stabilized fines path leading to the play area for a clean, non-muddy approach.
Under the Hood
- Separation geotextile beneath the pit to prevent soil mixing with chips.
- Crushed rock base and drainage for areas where SeaTac’s clay tends to hold water.
- Top dress depth adjusted appropriately for high-wear zones.
Remember, we don’t put landscape fabric above the surface. It clogs, floats, and creates slip layers. Fabric goes underneath, not on top!
Safety & Depth (Straight Talk)
For residential play chip pits, we typically install 9–12” loose (settles to about 9”). We also perform regular checks and re-top high-wear zones (like under swings and slide exits). If you’re part of an HOA or school and require a CPSI review for playground compliance, we can coordinate that!
Coverage Math (Order the Right Amount)
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cu ft
- At 12” depth → 27 sq ft/yd³
- At 9” depth → 36 sq ft/yd³
- Example: For a 12’ × 16’ pit at 9” → 192 sq ft ÷ 36 ≈ 5.3 yd³ (order 6 yd³ to account for raking out and settling).
Details That Keep It Clean
- Flush entries or rubber transition mats at gates to prevent chips from migrating out.
- Border reveal set to ½–1” for a crisp mower line.
- Slope and swales to direct water away from the pit, not through it.
- No cocoa mulch (it’s toxic to dogs), ever!
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s Routine)
Think of us as your yard’s personal trainers! Our maintenance plan includes:
- Depth checks & top-ups — we measure, document, and add material where needed.
- Rake & re-level — pulling chips back from borders and regrading wear zones.
- Edge patrol — re-pin loose edging and repair trip lips at entries.
- Weed control — we prioritize IPM-first hand pulls for windblown seeds.
- Drainage clear-outs — ensuring underdrains and inlets remain open for a dry pit.
Our goal is to keep it low-maintenance—fewer problems between visits means less work for you!
Service Cadences (Pick What Fits)
- Quarterly — spring/fall reset plus two light touch-ups (great for areas with significant tree litter).
- Bi-Monthly — ideal for high usage (kids + dogs) or windy/sandy sites.
(New installs with brand-new swingsets? Start monthly for the first 60–90 days while everything settles, then taper off.)
What Annual Maintenance Includes
- A depth log with photos and a simple map of wear zones.
- Top-up delivery, spreading, and a tidy border cleanup.
- Entry transition repair and rubber mat checks.
- Weed sweep and spot treatment (IPM-first).
- Drainage test after a hose run to ensure proper shedding.
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
- Safety — maintaining proper depth where falls happen most.
- Cleanliness — keeping chips in the box, not in your lawn or garage.
- Longevity — ensuring borders and drainage last with proper care.
- Lower cost — small, regular top-ups save you from costly pit rebuilds down the line.
How It Works
- Free Estimate — we can do this via photos, video, or a quick walkthrough to provide clear, upfront pricing.
- Plan & Layout — we discuss border styles, surfacing choices, drainage routes, and access points.
- Build Day — we excavate, lay fabric/base, set borders, place surfacing, and finish clean.
- Follow-Up — you’ll receive a depth log, care tips, and a maintenance schedule that suits your needs.
Why SeaTac Chooses Neat & Tidy
- We’re a local crew that knows the clay pockets, winter rain, and tight alleys of SeaTac.
- Licensed & insured; we always call 811 before we dig.
- Upfront pricing — materials, labor, hauling, and disposal are all included.
- We deliver on-time, respectful, clean work (no chips sprayed into your garden beds).
- Our green-first approach emphasizes durable borders, smart drainage, and minimal landfill impact.
Ready for a play area that stays safe and tidy?
Call or text Neat & Tidy for borders and surfacing that endure SeaTac’s weather and summer play marathons. We’ll keep it tidy—so you can enjoy the fun!
