If you see any, they can be broken or sanded down to no longer pose a threat to the children playing on them. I would also look for splinters and/or fracturing of the wooden members. If it absorbs, it means that the sealant has degraded and needs replacement. If the water beads up, the finish is still protected. Apply a few drops of water to the wood surface. If the wood is sealed, I would do a small-scale water test. This process would include maintaining a water-resistant stain/seal over the wooden components and lubrication of the moving/metallic components. M.P.: By performing maintenance on the playset annually, in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. PM: How can readers extend the life of their wooden playset? If you see oxidation of the fasteners, distortion of the wooden members, or if components show signs of cracking/weathering, you should consider conducting localized repairs or replacements. Playsets should be repaired or replaced once outward signs of failure are observed. M.P.: Most sources I have identified state around a 15-year lifespan of playsets, which seems consistent with what I have seen. PM: What’s the typical lifespan of a wooden playset, and when should it be repaired or replaced? This option will require quite a bit of work to break free of the concrete and is not advisable if you are renting the space or considering relocation, as it becomes more of a permanent installation. Concrete embedment provides a solid connection, but take care to ensure that the concrete sits below grade, as it can become an impact hazard if left exposed.

The concrete embedment option is where a bracket or the posts themselves are encased in concrete (and left to cure for at least 24 hours before use). This connection strategy is weaker than a concrete embedment option, and the eyebolts of the helical screws remain at the base of the posts, which can create a tripping hazard. This makes them easy to install and uninstall/move, and provides solid strength in normal soil conditions. They are helical screws that are rotated into the ground to a given depth and bolted to the legs of your playset. Most kits come with ground anchors similar to those used on mobile homes and other surface devices in high-wind areas like Florida. M.P.: If you purchase a kit, be sure to rigidly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. PM: How can someone ensure their playset is safely anchored into the ground? Once at this point, make sure you have all the components necessary prior to commencing construction and ensure you have an anchoring strategy to keep it all in-place regardless of the conditions thrown at it. Then determine your ability to complete the build, and if need be, hire supplemental or primary labor to get it done safely. Start with your available space and terrain determine what size kit you can accommodate. M.P.: My greatest advice is to pre-plan the entire situation from start to finish. PM: What advice do you have for someone who is installing their own wooden playset? How to Install and Maintain a Wooden Playset for Years of Fun, According to Expert Mike Powell Cedar and redwood are among the most termite- and weather-resistant types of wood, making them the preferred lumber for wooden playsets. You’ll also want to consider the materials. Unless your child is frequently bringing friends over to play, a one-child household probably won’t require as large a set as a family with five children. You’ll also want to consider the size of your family.

You’ll want to consider things like how much space you have in your yard to dedicate to a playset and what kinds of activities your child or children enjoy when at their local playground. Simply put, he knows plenty about what makes a wooden playset safe, stable, and secure for your kiddos.

Additionally, Powell has assembled a few swing set kits over the years and also used his expertise to construct his own playset from lumber and metal bracketry. He has inspected hundreds to thousands of homes, many of which have wooden playsets and swing sets that were part of the inspection, to determine the cause and origin of structural failure. The Expert: Mike Powell is a structural engineer with over 20 years of experience and the owner of Red Flag Home Inspection in Tampa, Florida.

Small playsets outdoor