How To Gauge Whether Your Bulk Rope Needs to Be Replaced Or Not

Whether your business is owning a landscape company or as a construction foreman, you undoubtedly use rope for some sort of application.

And we’re pretty sure you’ve had to replace your manila rope from time to time. Either after a specific project, or after a wintry-weather season, you’ve had to mull over buying more rope as it unfortunately doesn’t last forever.

After being in the rope business for over 30 years, we hear this concern a lot.

So we thought we would write about it and tell you how you can best gauge if and when your rope needs replacing.

A bit about ropes

Ropes typically have two sections: the core and the sheath.

The core usually makes up the majority of ropes. Rope companies will try to make the core as strong as possible, because the core is the strongest and most important part.

There are also two types of ropes: dynamic and static.

Static ropes are a lot stronger. Dynamic ropes have give to them.

Static ropes are usually used in a more industrial application, like construction projects, landscaping projects, energy projects like pipeline, and agriculture projects.

Dynamic ropes are used in applications like exercise, rock climbing, etc.

What weakens your rope

In 2010, the International Technical Rescue Symposium (ITRS) did rope research and tested various types of ropes for strengths and weaknesses. These ropes that were tested was rope that had come in contact with water and dirt for extended periods of time.

While the resul ts were discouraging, here’s what we know.

• Water weakens ropes by a striking 30% percent.
• Dirt deteriorates ropes innards (the core) from anywhere between 20% and 40% percent.
• Don’t clean or wash your rope. Rope is very sensitive to chemicals found in soap.
• Other things that can weaken your rope are age, sunlight, and friction.
• Ultraviolet rays from the sun degrade rope, leaving the bulk rope exposed to tearing and failing.
• Friction inflicts a lot of heat on bulk rope, resulting in the same result as if you were to leave your rope in the hot sun.

Signs of wear

It is normal for your bulk rope to show signs of wear and tear, especially if it’s been exposed to any of the elements, as listed above.

The obvious signs are dirt and water. Most ropes look dirty, but there’s a difference between a slightly dirty rope and one that looks like it was buried by your dog, under mounds of earth, dust and dirt.

Telltale signs to look for are a lack of stiffness, or too much stiffness, depending on your application.

Also look for flat spots, especially in decorative rope, sheathed landscaping rope, bulk rope used in climbing, or crossfit applications. Flat spots in the rope means that the rope is possibly deformed and cannot be trusted.

Retire your bulk rope

If you see any of these issues arise with your current solid braid nylon, or unmanila, or manila bulk rope, it means that you need to replace it and buy new stuff, either by the foot or by the spool.

Check out our deals on bulk rope by the spool here.

And when you DO decide to toss your old rope, consider these creative ways to dispose of it.

Consider turning your rope into simple dog leashes, if you aren’t super crafty, or you can get artsy and create a floor rug for your office.

Some other creative ways of disposing it are to transform your retired rope into a hammock, and relax in it with a beer.

You could even spare some strands to make a koozie for your beer. The ideas really are endless.

Free bulk rope knowledge

For more free information on what things to look for, when evaluating the health of your bulk rope, click here to get educated at our Knowledge Center.