Do I need to cement into the ground a new wooden swingset?

Question

My husband is building our kids a wooden swingset and he told me that he isn't going to dig into the ground and cement it in as it will be heavy enough. I'm not sure if he's trying to be lazy but feel it would need to be buried and cemented in. The one we're building is at this url: http://www.swing-n-slide.com/timberbilt/pinebluffa.htm except ours will be 16 feet long instead of 12 feet long enabling a few more toys on it for the kids.
Should this be cemented into the ground? Or can it just be anchored in and be secure enough?

Answer 1

With all due respect to the other 9 answers I have a suggestion.

At the very least the "anchors" to the sing set posts shoule be perpendicular to the posts buried, NOT just concrete added at the same angle to bury the posts in

Answer 2

As the other answerer noted, when multiple kids are swinging, eventually they'll all be swinging in the same direction at the same time, and judging from the steep "A" angle of the swingset, it's highly likely that their weight could tip the swing in the direction they're swinging.

Now, having said that, it's unlikely that the entire swingset will pitch over, but man, if it ever did, I'm not sure I'd like to see what injuries could result from getting bonked by the top cross-member.

Yep, either stake it with some long-lasting wood (redwood or pressure-treated) stakes, some type of metal stake (well protected from falling children), or partially embed the swingset legs in concrete, or use some type of wet-set concrete anchor that can then be bolted to the swingset.

Answer 3

Safety. Supervision is your best defense against a trip to the emergency room. Know that accidents do happen. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 1999, there were 46, 930 injuries that required trips to the emergency room from home playground equipment accidents. The CPSC recommends that the playground equipment be cemented into the ground to prevent tip over accidents. They also recommend a minimum of 6" of protective ground covering. Grass alone is not safe. Recommended coverings include: wood chips, recycled mulch, fine sand or pea stones. The depth of the covering is determined by the height of the equipment. For example, if you have a play set that is 9' high, the government recommends at least 12" of covering. Experts also recommend at least a 6' perimeter around the equipment (more depending on the pivot of your equipment

Answer 4

Wood Swingset

Answer 5

Anchoring will do fine. In the old days swings used to flip, but the wooden ones don't. What he isn't telling you is, the swingset will weigh way more than the counter balance it would take to knock it over, give him a big 'good daddy' kiss. He deserves it. My husband just cut a big hole in the floor of our dining room, I am not afraid.

Answer 6

I would either cement it or drive some type of stake deep into the ground. No swing set is safe if a couple of heavy people swing in the same direction at once.

Answer 7

Cement and wood are enemies. Water collects between the concrete and wood and rot is sure to follow.

No your hubby is not lazy. You may wish to anchor with re-bar driven into the ground and attached to the structure.

Answer 8

Lazy??? He is building your kids a swing-set, it will be heavy if it is big and made of wood. Count your blessings, many won't even take out the garbage.

I don't mean to sound mean,...I understand you are concerned for your children, but I don't think he is being lazy is all.

It would be best to secure it though. Does he have experience with this kind of thing?

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

Well
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