When Do Traffic Cones Need Replacing?

As traffic cones are used, they will inevitably become damaged and worn. Traffic cones can be worn out or become unusable due to a few reasons, these include;

• Being spattered with tarmac or bitumen - This prevents the reflective elements of the cone from working as they should. This means you cannot see the cone properly on dark nights, and it also means the coloured section of the cone will not stand out during daylight hours as well as it should.
• Torn sleeving - much like the above, where contamination prevents the sleeving from working properly, a torn sleeve leaves areas that are not reflective and makes it impossible to pick out the cone visually on dark or overcast days. 
• Deformed or damaged - Should the cone be run over repeatedly, it can be deformed to the point that it no longer stands properly or is unstable and can even lean into the carriageway. 
• Environmental degradation - As cones spend a lot of their life outside, they can be degraded by the sun, covered in salt and many other contaminants all of which can harm the visual performance of the cone. 

Damage to traffic cones can also be a self-perpetuating issue, as a damaged cone is less visible and is therefore more likely to be hit by a vehicle. With this in mind, a cone that requires a wash can quickly turn into one that requires replacement if action is not taken promptly.

When Should You Replace A Traffic Cone?

Even when worn, it is essential that your cones meet the requirements outlined in Chapter 8, Manual (Part 2, page 206), if you intend to use them on public roads. Some examples can be seen below;

1. “Acceptable”

In this state, the cone is still acceptable for ongoing use, the reflective has no spatter from asphalt or other material, and there are no punctures or tears in the sleeve, although there are some minor surface scuffs and scratches.

2. “Marginal”

This cone has spatter from materials observed on site, including asphalt, bitumen, and cement. The cone is discoloured, as is the sleeve, and shows some tears and scratches, but none of these are major. 

3. “Unacceptable”

This cone has large sections of retroreflective material torn away and missing. The remaining sleeve and cone body have large areas of discolouration due to spatter of asphalt and bitumen.

To see why these cones are classified as above, please see the full documentation found here: Chapter 8 (part 2 page 206). It is your responsibility to ensure that your cones meet the guidelines set out by the Highways Agency.

How Can You Get Your Cones Back On The Road?

If your cones are damaged and do not meet the specifications outlined in Chapter 8 guidelines, you must take action to bring them into compliance.

Wash Your Traffic Cones

Should your traffic cones lose their reflectivity and colouration due to road grime, this is easily resolved by washing them with a detergent. Due to the nature of the contamination, a standard car wash solution with a traffic film remover element will often suffice. This is the most cost-effective and straightforward way to refresh traffic cone stock.

Refurbish Your Traffic Cones

The next step to getting your cones back on the road is to refurbish any that can be easily repaired. The most common way to do this is to replace the traffic cone sleeve. This can also be very cost-effective and prevent the cone from being discarded. 

To replace a traffic cone sleeve, follow these steps;

1. Remove as much of the old sleeve as possible.
2. Clean the area with a solvent or soapy water and allow it to dry
3. Spray the area the sleeve covers with spray adhesive that can be purchased in our store.
4. Drop the appropriately sized cone sleeve over and firmly press it into place all around.

This should leave you with a new-looking traffic cone, so long as the body of the cone is in relatively good order, you should expect the cone to last just as long as when it was new.

Options For Cones That Are Beyond Refurbishment

Recycle Your Cones

If your cones are beyond use due to damage to the cone structure, then you should be able to recycle them. Almost all the cones we sell are 100% recyclable, with many of the manufacturers we work with always keen to take unwanted cones back to be remade into new items. 

Buy Replacement Traffic Cones

If you have recycled your old cones or simply need additional cones to expand your stock, we offer a full range of traffic cones featuring all the major brands and models. If you cannot see what you are looking for, then our friendly sales team is also here to help ensure you get what you need. You can reach out to them through our contact page.