If you are an event planner or venue manager, you know that a lot of people walk around near your setup. So if your setup is not strongly supported, it may trip as soon as someone bumps into it. That’s why rubber base weights are commonly used for strong support to pipe & drape setups. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how you can set up your pipe and drape system with rubber base weights. So, let’s get in.
What is a Pipe & Drape Setup?
In case you don’t know, “pipe and drape” refers to those setups that are created with vertical poles (called uprights) and horizontal poles (called crossbars) that hold fabric drapes. This setup is lightweight, secure, easy-to-set up, and take down.
Plus, you don’t need to drill or make permanent changes to the location. These setups are mainly used to create temporary walls, backdrops, or partitions. You have often seen such setups on weddings, trade shows, photo shoots, expo centers, and even in changing rooms.
What are Rubber Base Weights?
Basically, this is a weight pad (made with rubber material). Actually, these rubber base weights are used to add extra stability to a pipe and drape setup. So the setup stays steady, firm in its place, and does not trip.
These weights are especially useful when setting up in high–foot-traffic areas, outdoors, or on uneven surfaces where there’s a higher risk of tripping. They’re typically made from durable materials, easy to stack (if needed), and look professional.
Why are Rubber Base Weights Important?
For Added Stability: If you are managing a venue in high-traffic areas (like trade shows, malls, conferences), using rubber base weights helps a lot. When you use them to set up your pipe & drape setups, your system won’t trip and stay stable even if several people bump into it.
For Enhanced Safety: You know if your pipe & drape setup accidentally trips, it doesn’t just harm people out there, but also damages your reputation. But when you use rubber base weights, your setup stays firmly grounded. Hence, accident risks are reduced.
Easy to Move and Reposition: As you know that in busy places, you often need to change setups quickly (for example, during events with different sessions) that are sometimes not possible with traditional drilling systems. But when you use rubber weights, you can move the structure quickly.
Weather Resistance (for Outdoor High-Traffic Areas): During outdoor events, there’s a high risk of setups tripping and falling due to heavy wind or light rain. But if you use JACKWIN rubber base weights, they hold your setup even in harsh weather because they are impact and weather-resistant.
Steps to Setup Pipe & Drape Using Rubber Base Weight
Now that you have a basic understanding of rubber-base weight and pipe & drape setup. So now let’s discuss exactly how to install pipe and drape setup for events or venues:
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Prepare the Setup Area
First and most basic step, clean the area where you want to install the pipe and drape. When you do this, the floor becomes clean, flat, and debris-free. That way, your setups sit firmly and unevenly.
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Lay Out Horizontals
The next step is to lay out the horizontal crossbars (drape support rods) on the floor. You can use horizontal crossbars of any length depending on how much space you want to cover with the setup. Once you lay out the bars, take a look at each crossbar’s ends where you’ll be placing the rubber base weight (in below step).
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Add Rubber Base Weight
In this step, carefully place the rubber base weights right at the end of each horizontal crossbar. This is the place where each upright pole is going to stand. When you place the weight, this step adds stability in your setup, right from the beginning.
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Attach the Upright Poles to the Bases
Now insert the (fixed or adjustable) upright poles into the slots on the rubber base weight. If you’re using an adjustable upright, we suggest you have a ladder first and then raise the length of each adjustable upright pole. But if you cannot arrange a ladder, then we suggest keeping the upright height at its lowest (for a safer setup).
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Hang and Adjust the Drapes
At this step, your setup’s frame is ready. So it’s time to hang the drapes. To do that, locate the rod pocket of each drape panel. Then, slide the drapes onto the horizontal crossbars or clip them (depending on your drape type). Make sure you adjust the drape fabric so it looks smooth, even, and properly aligned.
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Hook the Crossbars (Horizontal Pipes)
After you’ve hung fabric on drapes, now connect the horizontal crossbars (also called drape supports) between the slots on vertical upright poles. That way, the drapes are locked tightly and level across the setup.
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Do a Quick-Check for Stability and Looks
Now that all the pipe and drape setup’s uprights and horizontal are hooked and a setup frame is ready. Take a step back and carefully check the setup, drape fabric fullness, uprights height, horizontal length, in short everything. The purpose of this step is to ensure that the setup is going as you planned for the venue.
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Make Final Adjustments
If everything is in order and your pipe & drape setup is perfectly set up, skip this step. But if you think that the upright (if adjustable) height needs to rise more, then now is the time to do that.
Get help from your crew member and you both stand across each upright’s end. Then, together, raise the upright pipes to an equal level. Apart from that, if you’re adding extra accessories like floral decor or signage, you can add them now.
7 Mistakes to Avoid While Setting Up
- You know base matters. So, if you skip the area preparation before setting up your pipe and drape setup, there is a chance that your structure could trip. So, make sure you first clean and even out the floor, so that the structure can stand firmly.
- Most venue managers or event planners make the mistake of not measuring the space they need to cover with the setup. That way, they end up ordering too much or too little material. So we suggest you always measure the structure height and width in advance and then order the material accordingly.
- If you choose not to use fire-retardant fabric for drapes, not only do you violate safety and venue regulations, but you also put everyone in danger. So always go for fire-retardant fiber, regardless of the venue environment.
- Even if you’ve correctly set up the pipe and drape structure, but hang drapes too high or too low, the structure shows that it’s set up by an unprofessional. That’s why we suggest you hang drapes about ½ or ¼ inch above the ground.
- If you’re managing a theme-based venue, and you somehow ignore the theme colors and use random color drapes, it’ll distract the audience. So, considering little things is also very crucial.
- Another mistake most event planners make is neglecting equipment inspection. That’s why we suggest you always inspect your setup’s equipment for wear and tear. If you find any damaged equipment, replace it with new equipment.
- Often, planners ignore the rod’s weight capacity, which results in structural collapse. So, always ensure to choose the rods that can support the weight of drapes.
Troubleshooting Pipe & Drape Rubber Base Weight Common Problems
Facing issues after setting up a pipe-and-drape system can be very frustrating. And that’s why we’ve shared a few common problems below that we’ve noticed most facilities face. So that if you encounter the same, you can fix them in no time.
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Pipe is Leaning or Tilting
During or after setting up pipe and drape structure, if the pipe is leaning or tilting, it usually means that the base plates or rubber base weights aren’t set evenly. Or rods, pipes and drape fabric weight is overall heavy and you haven’t added enough rubber weights.
To fix this issue, we suggest you first make sure that the floor is clean and level. Double-check if there are any objects stuck under base plates and remove them. Moreover, secure the poles properly with enough rubber base weight. So that structure keeps standing straight.
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Drape is Sagging or Wrinkled
Well, it usually happens when the horizontal crossbars aren’t locked tightly or uprights are standing at lower level. Or you haven’t evenly spread the drape fabric. To fix this, first of all, extend the uprights fully and make sure that the fabric is hanging at least ½ inch above the floor. Also, evenly adjust the drapes to avoid that messy and saggy look.
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Base Feels Unstable
If you’ve noticed the unbalanced structure base, it’s a clear sign that the ground is not even or clear. Another underlying reason can be not enough weight of base plates. That’s why we always suggest you double-check the surface before setup. And also go for the drapes and rods that your base plates can handle.
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Rubber Base Weights Are Sliding
If rubber base weights are sliding, check if the floor is wet, slippery or smooth. If so, we suggest you place the weights right at the center of base plates. Also, if possible, place a non-slip mat or grip tape underneath the plates. This helps prevent rubber weights from moving.
Conclusion
We hope that after reading this guide, you now know how to setup pipe & drape rubber base weights for your event and venue management projects. So, if you’re looking for high-quality and affordable rubber base weight, contact us today. We have a large stock available. And if you order from us in bulk, we provide you at wholesale rates.
