Common Questions About Rubber Mulch

When mulch is suggested for use in any project, whether it's landscaping or playground applications, a common question arises: wood or rubber mulch? Check out some of the commonly asked questions regarding rubber mulch.

1. Is No Fault Rubber Mulch Safe for Plants?
Since rubber mulch is permeable, moisture and nutrients will travel directly through the soil. No Fault Rubber Mulch then acts as an insulator to the soil from sun and heat. This achieves better plant stability and root growth. By comparison, wood mulch actually absorbs the majority of the moisture before it has a chance to reach the soil, where the moisture needs to be. Also, wood mulch can generate heat and acids that can burn plant roots.

2. Is rubber mulch harmful to humans, animals or plants?
No Fault Rubber Mulch is non-toxic and not considered harmful.

3. Will No Fault Rubber Mulch decompose?
Generally, rubber mulch does not decompose for many years.

4. Will No Fault Rubber Mulch heat up and damage plants?
Since rubber mulch does not compact, it will allow for constant circulation, which keeps mulch cooler than traditional wood mulch.

5. Is rubber mulch cost effective?
No Fault Rubber Mulch is cost effective with its one-time application. When you consider that pine straw and wood mulch generally fade as well as begin to deteriorate in as little as 6 weeks, No Fault Rubber Mulch maintains its color for as much as 10 years without the need for replacement, so the cost-effectiveness along with aesthetic benefits are evident. 

6. Does the color fade?
No Fault Rubber Mulch uses a special UV protective coating that has been lab-tested for color-loss. While minimum fading may occur over time. No Fault Rubber Mulch's color can be maintained for a period of up to 10 years with proper installation, maintenance and utilization.


7. Does rubber mulch help with weeds?
No Fault Rubber mulch is great for reducing weeds, mainly because most seeds germinate in wood mulch. Also, No Fault Rubber Mulch does not attract insects.

8. What about steel belting and threads?
No Fault Rubber Mulch is 99.9% steel free.

9. Is rubber mulch good for playgrounds?
All No Fault Rubber Mulch is ASTM certified and ADA compliant.

10. What depth should mulch be applied for playground applications?
This depends on the fall height of the playground equipment. It also depends on what type of rubber mulch you choose nuggets, shreds or mini nuggets. Check out our fall height charts on our website www.nofault.com

These questions are about No Fault Rubber Mulch, other mulches may use different processing methods that may change the answer to some of these questions. 

Have a great day!

Hailey Hill
Marketing Administrator
No Fault Sport Group