When a strong storm is on its way, most homeowners know to pickup and secure everything, including a patio swing, so it doesn’t blow away. But there are times when you just don’t know a storm is coming. These are the times you have to rely on earlier preparations or your quick wits.
Many homeowners have been frustrated by their patio swing blowing over as a result of high winds. Windy weather has caused many people in some parts of the country a headache, as they have awoken to find their patio swing blown over in their yard.
There are numerous ways to keep a patio swing from being blown away by the wind. You may
secure your garden swing by putting a sandbag on it (to weigh it down), tie it down, and so on, as will be discussed further below.
We’ll talk about how to prevent your patio swing from blowing over in this article.
Tie it down
A smart way to keep your patio swing from blowing over is to tie it down with bungee cords. Bungee cords are cheap and readily available at your nearby store or big box shop. Stretching the bungee cord over the swing and locking the hook ends to a non-moving structure, such as a fence post or trees/shrubs in the garden, is all it takes. The cord must fit snugly against the swing, so it will need to be wound around the swing a few times to remove any slack before being fastened to the structure.
Weigh it down with sandbags
Place a sandbag on a patio swing when you’re done with it in the garden or on your patio for the day to keep it
from blowing over. Fill the sandbag with rocks or sand. This will help to keep your patio swing in place.
One drawback is sandbags might dirty the swing and necessitate cleaning every time you use them. As an added benefit, sandbags can be used to weigh down other things when your not using them for your patio swing.
Bolt it down with brackets
Another method is to secure the swing to the floor using a bracket. Using brackets to secure you swing is one of the best ways. Once your brackets are bolted down, you swing will not go anywhere. This has the added benefit of making it hard for someone to steal your swing if you live in an area where things tend to walk off.
To keep a patio swing from blowing away, use a D-type bracket, E-type bracket, or B403 bracket. The D-type and E-type brackets are used to secure metal patio swing braces.
Bolting your patio swing down will require you to use a hammer drill to drill holes if you have concrete.
Anchor with pins in grass
It’s suggested that you use pins to help anchor your patio swing in place if you’re using or holding it in a field of grass. You might be able to loop the stake through the base of the swing and lock it in the ground if the design of the swing requires it. Otherwise, you may need to bind the stake to the swing with chains or wires. Utilizing anchors is secure and effective but it requires professional planning and assistance.
Block the wind
A planted windbreak is a collection of dense plants or trees that help to block the wind in a garden. During harsh winds, some of the air will still possibly get through, but it will lose most of its force during the process. This will keep your patio swing in place while also adding a pleasant aesthetic aspect to your landscaping.
Depending on the shrubbery you choose, it can complement your yard, serve as a pleasant backdrop for a picnic or party, and provide privacy in your backyard. If you let your plants grow tall enough, it can also serve as a sun blocker and provide shade.
Sit something on it
Another way to save your patio swing from being swept away by the wind is to sit heavy materials on it. Iron, wood, aluminum, and steel are all heavy materials that can be used on a patio swing. The heavy materials can cause dents in your patio swing, which will cost you money and stress to clean every time. It may also be difficult to carry the heavy materials up and down. Consider other choices if you are not ready for such challenges.
Lay it down before it’s blown over
One of the smart ways to keep your patio swing from flipping over is to lay it down. You can either lay the frame down with the swing on it or remove the swing first. Laying the swing down will require a little bit of lifting.
If you are going to remove the swing from the frame, you will have to lift the swing to unhook it. Laying it down with the swing attached will require tilting the frame backwards and gently laying it down. Be sure the swing does get damage.
Conclusion
During a storm, you shouldn’t have to worry about your patio swing flying down. Consider using one or more of these tips to keep you and your swing safe. You’ll be happy you did it!