We are getting a metal swing set. Do we HAVE to cement it into the ground, or can they be anchored in some way? If you've anchored it, could you tell me how? Thanks!!!!!!
Ooo, I just found this online.
Forget cement, forget those crappy anchors you buy in the store. This is easier and better.
1)Buy galvanized pipe at home improvment store, with diameter slightly less than diameter of swing set legs. (The kind use in chain link fences)
2)Cut pipe into two foot pieces
3)Drive pieces into ground on same angle as swing set legs, leaving 8 inches exposed above ground. This part is a little tricky but I did it so you can too.
4)Fit swing set over top of 8 inch protrusions. Helps to have a helper here.
5)Secure swing set legs to protrusions by drilling a small hole and a tightly fitting bolt thru each leg.
You are done. This will work fantastic. Infinitely better than cement.
The pipe in the ground may corrode over time but so will your metal swing set.
Obviously be aware when you drive the pipe into the ground to not hit lines.
My swing set has been in place 3 years this way. We have had parties with 7-8 kids swing at a time.
IT DOES NOT BUDGE !
Cement. It will never move. We used cement. Actually cement was always used for metal,sets.
When I was looking at a metal swing set, I found this. Don't know if it's a "universal" kit or specific to one brand, but it's probably worth looking at!
http://www.hayneedle.com/product/groundanchorssetof4.cfm?...
Anchors can work but the swing set tips up and down. It just made me nervous. You can certainly use them.
We chose cement. It's just really sturdy.
The company that did it made it so we can somehow just remove the anchors and take the swing set out, like if we moved or had to move the set. So while we have cement, they say it wouldn't be a pain to move. It was $150 to cement it because the neighbors had the truck anyway for driveway work. You can cement yourself but I wouldn't know how. I am not very handy!
Also, if you guys are not handy do look into an installation service. Metal swing sets can be hard to put together!
When we bought our metal swing set (15 years ago!!!!) we also bought "corkscrew" style anchors that screwed into the ground and were tethered to the set. It worked fine while the kids were little, didn't have much weight and didn't swing all that high. As the years went by and the kids got bigger and stronger and went higher and higher those anchors no longer worked. We should have done cement anchors but within a year (we only use the swing set here for the warm half of the year) the kids began to lose interest. If your kids are still small you can get away with the corkscrew style and asa they get bigger re-evalute your needs. We ended up moving our swingset to a different part of the yard so I'm glad we didn't have the cement problem!
