Concrete Holes

Just before my daughters 2nd birthday, we bought a swing set for the garden from Dunster House. It seemed like excellent value, and other than having to get it delivered to a friendly Dive Centre in Eyemouth (long story, but it was free delivery there and about 1/4 the cost of the swing set to get it delivered at home) it’s been pretty good. It was easy enough to construct, and at the time I decided just to use the metal posts hammered into the ground, rather than concrete in, as she was kind of light and we didn’t have many visitors using it at the same time. Earlier this week all that changed when we had four children (from about 4-10) playing on it and my partner holding it down as it was moving so much!

So I decided it was probably time to fasten it down properly, and after a quick Google and some Youtube videos, I decided it couldn’t be that difficult to DIY! Now, I have to admit, my DIY skills are not the best, and I wouldn’t usually attempt something with concrete, but about 12 months ago I’d fixed a wobbly patio step with some premixed stuff, and that’s still holding up well, so decided I’d give this a go. I dug out four holes next to the legs, about 10 inches deep and about 8 inches square. This was probably the hardest bit as our soil is full of bricks and digging them out wasn’t much fun. After I’d made the holes, I hammered the four posts into the bottom, as they were about 14 inches long and I didn’t fancy digging any further. I then moved back the swing set and expertly balanced it above the holes on the metal posts. I’d decided I was going to use Postcrete to fill the holes, as you can just put some water at the bottom of the hole and add the concrete, or at least that’s what lots of people seemed to be doing on Youtube!

Anyway, I got the bags earlier today and now have four concrete-filled holes in the garden, and a swing set resting on top. It looks OK, although the true test will be tomorrow when I let me daughter loose on it…

I should have taken some photos when it looked to be levitating over the holes, but these full of concrete will have to do!