Author Topic: Fixing wobbly play structure?  (Read 5772 times)

sparklebunny

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Fixing wobbly play structure?
« on: October 23, 2014, 12:06:21 PM »
I'm purchasing a home next week and I have a 2 year old little girl who I know will want to use the existing play structure outside.  It's got swings, a slide and a little treehouse/fort area thing. Problem is that it leans a good bit to one side and feels wobbly when I push on it. I figure its about 6-8 years old.  I didn't get a chance to see how it was secured into the ground, but can do that when I do a walkthough next week.  Does anyone have experience shoring up a play structure?  I'd love to keep it instead of buying or building another one, but I absolutely want my 2 year old to be safe. Thanks!

GuitarStv

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Re: Fixing wobbly play structure?
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2014, 12:13:59 PM »
Usually stuff like that is wobbly because:
- the bolts holding it together are too loose (add more bolts/screw the ones that are there in better)
- the base isn't secured properly (attach some pieces of 4x4 or 6x6 lumber to weigh it down/concrete it in)
- the wood is rotted or the metal was kinda crap to begin with (replace)

Cigar2011

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Re: Fixing wobbly play structure?
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2014, 10:12:24 AM »
You may be able to use rebar to anchor it to the ground.  When I built my playground and was doing the research they said that grass is not a good surface under the playground.  It becomes compacted over the years and if the kid falls it won't absorb the impact.  I use wood chips, most tree companies will dump for free as long as you take the whole truck.  The general rule is decide how high the highest fall will happen from and then add 1" of chips per foot of fall height. My guys are older and my structure is 11' high so I added 12" of chips.  I know the chip surface has plenary of give as I have jump down onto it but it has never been really tested by the kids inadvertently falling yet. You will have to replace the chips every few years.

guitar_stitch

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Re: Fixing wobbly play structure?
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2014, 11:31:58 AM »
What kind of structure?  Metal A-Frame?  Plastic?

It may be worth a trip to Home Depot to get some anchor straps, bolts, washers, etc.  Securing the structure within itself is the first step.  Even unanchored, it shouldn't move.