Anchor a Swing Set

When installing any swing set, you should anchor the equipment into the ground to prevent it from flipping over while in use. Concrete anchors are the most secure, but if you're installing the swing above packed ground, you could use one-piece or two-piece twist ground anchors that work without concrete.

Steps

Method One: Concrete Anchoring

1. Position the swing. Place the swing in its intended permanent location. Mark the placement of each leg using the blade of a shovel.
   • Nearly any type of soft ground will work for this method, and you can use this method with wooden and metal swing sets. During this process, you'll pour concrete into the ground and anchor the swing set legs to that, which will give the set enough durability regardless of the surrounding ground.
2. Dig holes at each anchor point. Temporarily remove the swing set, then dig holes at each marked anchor point. Each hole should be roughly 22 inches (55 cm) deep and 16 inches (40 cm) in diameter.
   • For maximum security, dig holes for all four swing set legs.
   • For heavy swing sets, you might be able to secure the set to the ground using only two anchors. If you choose to go this route, pick two corners that stand diagonally opposite of one another.
3. Fix the anchors into each leg. Place the plate of one concrete anchor at the bottom side of each leg, then screw the anchors onto the bottom of each leg using the bolts that come with your anchoring kit.
   • Note that the bottom bolt of each anchor should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the bottom of the leg.
   • Typically, you'll need to use two large bolts or screws to attach each anchoring plate to the corresponding leg. Slide the bolts into the screw holes of the plate, then use a drill to twist each one into the leg material.
   • When working with metal swing sets, you may need to pre-drill holes before attaching the anchoring plates. Mark the final placement of each screw and use a drill fitted with a 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) bit to drill holes in the appropriate places. Afterward, attach the anchor as usual.
4. Pour concrete into each hole. Mix a batch of standard concrete, then pour the concrete into each hole, filling the hole within 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the top.
   • When mixing the concrete, follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the correct ratio of concrete mix to water. The ideal texture of the finished concrete should be consistent and very thick.
   • Continue to the next step while the poured concrete remains wet.
5. Place each anchor in the anchoring hole. Carefully position the swing set over each filled anchoring hole and press the bottom of each anchor plate into the concrete.
   • Make sure that the entire bottom half of the anchor rests below the concrete. This bottom portion should not stick out of the ground since it could present a safety hazard if it does.
6. Let the concrete dry. Wait 24 hours for the concrete to fully harden before using the swing set.
   • Note that the total amount of time may vary depending on the concrete formula and current weather conditions. Tap on the concrete to test its hardness before use.
7. Cover the area. Pack the previously removed soil around the base of each leg and cover the ground area beneath the swing with soft material.
   • If using wood mulch or shredded bark mulch, cover the ground beneath the set with at least 9 inches (22.9 cm). When using uniform wood chips, fine sand, or fine gravel, cover the ground with at least 12 inches (30.5 cm).
   • Check the swing set once more after covering the area beneath it. Firmly push on each leg of the set. If you anchored the set properly, the pressure should not be enough to cause any leg movement.

Method Two: One-Piece Solid Ground Anchoring

1. Position the swing. Choose the best location for your swing set and temporarily position the set in place. Use a small spike or similar object to mark the placement of each leg.
   • When anchoring a swing set to hard ground, like tough soils filled with clay or covered with dense grass, you may not need to use cement. A one-piece or two-piece twist-in anchor will usually suffice.
2. Twist each anchor into the ground. Carefully shift the legs of the set to the sides of each marked hole. Twist one ground anchor directly into the soil at each marked position.
   • Ideally, you should use ground anchors at all four legs to maximize the security of the set. If you only have two anchors, however, you can still secure the set by positioning them at diagonal corners.
   • Remove the spike and twist each anchor into the same spot. Rotate the anchor into the ground, keeping it as vertical as possible throughout the entire process.
   • If you are unable to twist the anchor with your hands, slide a metal bar through the eye of the anchor and use it as a lever to help rotate the anchor down.
3. Attach the anchor to each leg. Slide a screw or bolt into the eye of each anchor. Drill the screw directly into the side of the swing set leg.
   • The screws or bolts you'll need should come with the anchoring kit.
   • Position the swing set back in place so that the legs sit directly next to each anchor. Use a drill to carefully insert each screw through the eye of the anchor and into the bottom side of each leg.
   • If you have a metal swing set, you may need to drill the holes with a 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) bit before drilling the screws in place.
4. Cover the exposed screws. Fit the head of each screw with an appropriately sized bolt cap.
   • In most instances, the anchoring kit will come with matching bolt caps.
5. Lay ground covering over the area. Cover the base of each leg with soil or mulch. Spread additional mulch over the rest of the area beneath the swing set.
   • Use 9 inches (22.9 cm) of wood mulch or shredded bark. Alternatively, use 12 inches (30.5 cm) of uniform wood chips, fine sand, or fine gravel.
   • Check the swing set by pushing on each leg. If the set does not budge when you apply pressure, you've anchored it successfully.

Method Three: Two-Piece Solid Ground Anchoring

1. Position the swing. Determine the desired placement of your swing set and temporarily set it in place. Mark the placement of each leg by chipping the ground with a trowel or similar tool.
   • You do not need to use any concrete for this method, but you do need to make sure that you insert the anchors into solid ground. Packed soils are better than loose soils or sand, and soils containing clay or covered in dense grass are even better.
2. Bury the ground anchor attachment. Place one ground anchor over each marked position. Slide a rebar through the matching holes at the top of each anchor, then rotate the bar and the anchor in a clockwise motion.
   • Move the swing set away from each marked position before you begin. You'll need clean access to all four anchoring spots when burying them.
   • For this method, you must anchor all four legs to the ground. Do not anchor only two.
   • Each ground anchor should look have a drill at the bottom and an open "cup" at the top. Point the drill portion in the direction of the ground. As you rotate the rebar, apply enough downward pressure to spiral this drill into the ground, and continue until the entire drill portion is buried. Remove the rebar when done.
3. Secure the leg attachment to each leg. Place one 4-by-4 leg attachment at the bottom of each swing set leg. Fix this attachment to the leg using two 3/8-inch (9.5-mm) bolts.
   • Note that this upper portion will look similar to an open cup with a tube at the bottom. The bottom of this "cup" should slip over the top of the previously-placed ground anchor "cup."
   • You may need to drill the holes with an appropriately sized drill bit before fitting the bolts into the legs, especially when working with metal sets.
4. Fit the upper anchor over the ground anchor. Line up each leg with each ground anchor, then push the leg attachments over the revealed ground anchors.
   • Match up the screw holes, when applicable. Drill another bolt through each overlapping pair of holes to secure each leg attachment to its corresponding ground anchor.
5. Cover the area. Cover the exposed anchors with soil or mulch. For added safety, cover the ground beneath the set with additional mulch.
   • Apply roughly 9 inches (22.9 cm) of wood mulch or 12 inches (30.5 cm) of fine sand or fine gravel.
   • After covering the ground, push on each leg. If you anchored the set correctly, the legs should not budge when you apply pressure.

Warnings

• Swing sets that are not anchored or those that are improperly anchored may present a safety hazard since they'll be more likely to tip over during storms or heavy use.
• Adequate ground covering is important, especially around the base of each anchored leg, since it could cushion the impact if a child accidentally falls into the area while playing.

Things You'll Need

Concrete Anchoring

• Swing set
• Shovel
• 2 to 4 concrete anchors
• 2 to 8 screws or bolts, 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) or larger
• Cordless drill
• 3/8 inch (9.6 mm) drill bit
• Concrete mix
• Bucket or wheelbarrow
• Garden hose
• Mulch

One-Piece Solid Ground Anchoring

• Swing set
• 2 to 4 one-piece twist-in anchors
• Spike or trowel
• 2 to 8 screws or bolts, 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) or larger
• Matching bolt caps
• Cordless drill
• 3/8 inch (9.6 mm) drill bit
• Rebar (optional)
• Mulch

Two-Piece Solid Ground Anchoring

• Swing set
• Trowel
• 4 two-piece solid anchors (ground anchor with leg attachment)
• 2 to 8 screws or bolts, 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) or larger
• Cordless drill
• 3/8 inch (9.6 mm) drill bit
• Rebar
• Mulch

Sources and Citations

See also

• Build a Sandbox
• Make a Swing
• Make a Rope Swing
• Make a Mini House in Your Backyard
• Make a Long Slip and Slide
• Build an Ice Skating Rink
• Make a Skateboard Swing