Placing a swing set just enchant the aura of your yard, likewise put a soothing smile on your kids as they get an exciting playing activity—Now, in order to firmly put in a swing set, the professional procedure is required. Customizing your swing set, preparing your yard, finding the proper ground covering, leveling it, assembling the structure, and putting it in, adheres to a specific methodology. Here, we have enlisted each step that one needs to consider for the safe installation of the swing set.
How to Install the Swing Set?
Whilst installing a backyard swing set, you must abide by some rules to keep your kids safe as they play on their new swing set. Everything must be completely secured in place from assembling the tubes to the fitting of swings and other equipment. The way is;
- Preparing Your Yard
- Finding the Proper Ground Covering
- Leveling your Yard
- Getting the Right Swing Set
- Assembling the Structure
- Fixing the Structure to the Ground
- Assembling the Playing Equipment
- Testing the Structure
- Maintaining the Structure
Prepare Your Yard
Before getting on to the practical installation of your swing set, you need to do make sure of certain things—these will help you put in some preparations before getting on to the process.
- Measure the dimensions of the set you will be adding.
- Select a location that can provide you with sufficient space to play.
- Choose an area away from fences, concrete, or other obstacles that may interfere with the height and width of your swing-set.
- Do not install a swing-set underneath trees or power lines.
- Be careful of ground components such as stones or sprinklers.
- Keep an eye out for underground elements such as water or gas lines.
Keep in mind, which side of the structure will receive direct sunlight. For example, if a slide faces the sun, it can be tedious for the children.
Find the Proper Ground Covering
After choosing the right place for your swing set, think about what kind of ground covering you want to use. While many people set their swing sets in a grassy area, this might not be possible for everyone.
What Surfaces Are Considerable?
The material under the swing-set plays a vital role in the wellness of the kids playing over it—the thrill of swing fast and high over the set is just so common that it has reportedly caused injuries and fatalities, just because the surface was much hard and rough. The materials that are considerable;
- Shredded/Recycled rubber mulch
- Sand
- Pea gravel
- Wood chips
The list goes from the most recommended material to the least ones. The rubber mulch or vinyl mulch is the most shock-absorbent thus, a great consideration for furious kids. If you have large areas of sand or dirt, you may need to lay down a ground covering to prevent your children from trekking dirt or mud into the house.
Level your Yard
After you have determined where you want to place your swing set and which type of ground cover you will use, it’s time to prepare the yard for the installation. First, you will need to level out your yard, the tools required for it are;
- Hoe
- Shovel
- Leveling tool
Mark the area you plan to use for the swing set and dig until the ground is level. Ensure the holes that hold the base of the swing set are on a rugged, sturdy plain bed.
Getting the Right Swing Set
In order to make sure your children stay safe while playing on the swing set, the selection of the right model plays a keen role in it. Most of the people, for saving a few bucks get the unreliable ones, in the end, they ultimately cause misfortunes. Here, our experts have carved out the heavy duty swing sets for adults and as well as for kids.
Assembling the Structure
Now, that you have selected a certain swing set, the structure needs assembling, here follow the procedure—as different models might have different basic variations in structure, reading the manual will help.
Fitting Connecting Sleeves with the Crossbeam
Most of the swing sets are structured by the main crossbeam and several legs. Place the connecting sleeves on each end of the crossbeam to link the legs to the crossbeam. Then, fix the legs into the angled part of the sleeve. Secure them in place, and then tighten the screws.
Fitting the Play Apparatus
Next, fit your play apparatus and put the hardware designed to fit your instrument like swings chain or rope into place.
Fit the Second Set of Legs
Prepare the second set of legs. Put the legs into the second sleeve and secure them using screws. Fix the second set of legs with the crossbeam.
Check the Structure
Check that the legs are correctly lined up with each other—look at the structure whether the swing is perfectly perpendicular to the ground. When all parts are appropriately fixed, mount and screw the second sleeve onto the crossbeam.
Horizontal Support Bars
Your swing set will also have some horizontal support bars depending on the type of model. These bars are used to prevent the structure from bends and to keep the frame secure. The quality models of swing sets, get fixed firmly with these horizontal support bars.
Fix the Structure to the Ground
The swing set must remain stable during use and strong winds. It is necessary to fix it firmly to the ground.
- Place your structure into position.
- Use a water level to ensure that the support bars and crossbeam are levels.
- Measure the distance between the legs on each side to confirm the measurements are identical on both sides.
- Mark the ground to the position of the feet of the structure.
- Move the structure to a side and fit the ground fixings.
- Secure your structure using stakes fitted with plates for joining the legs.
- Put the stakes into each of the spots you have marked.
- Ensure the plates are level, then fix each of the legs to the plates.
Fixing the Ground Anchors in Concrete
As an alternate, you can also fix ground anchors in concrete. Dig holes with a diameter of approximately 20 cm by 45 cm at each of the points you have marked out, then fill the concrete around the anchors. Adjust the level of your anchors and let the concrete dries. Wait overnight, then fix the feet to the anchors.
Assemble the Play Set Equipment
Once your model of heavy duty swing set is installed and stable, you need to assemble your play equipment. If you have fixed your swing set in concrete, wait several days to complete this step. Most play equipment, whether this is a swing, a rope ladder, or a trapeze bar, are attached to the crossbeam using quick links or carabineer clips.
Inspection of the Construct
Once you have clips and links, fit all play equipment into their slots and adjust their height. Check the structure for safety and make sure you have no gaps between planks, loose decking, or protruding screws. Double-check everything is secure by testing the equipment, pulling on it, or trying it out yourself if the weight limit allows.
Maintenance
After the set or structure is installed, maintain it, here, we have entailed how to maintain a swing set. Examine hardware such as nuts and bolts, chains, ropes, coverings, handles, and swings regularly.
Data Source
- https://www.kingswingsets.com/blog/how-properly-maintain-your-wooden-swing-set
- https://backyardville.com/5-tips-for-maintaining-your-wooden-swing-set/
- https://advice.manomano.co.uk/how-to-install-a-swing-set-n7103
- https://www.allstate.com/tr/home-insurance/backyard-swing-set-installation-safety.aspx
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