Cinderblock Hang

**BikerAtlas** · 06-04-2016, 20:38

Just wondering if I can mount anchors into cinder blocks to attach my hammock to the wall in my backyard. Will it hold the weight? If so, anybody know what kind of anchors to use?

**JasonACraft** · 06-04-2016, 21:05

I don't believe it would. Cinder blocks are designed for a specific downward force. Weakening them from the side (with an anchor) and then putting lateral stress on those thin walls sounds like a recipe for disaster.

**Phantom Grappler** · 06-04-2016, 21:09

Just offhand I would say no. Are you buying or renting? And do these cinder blocks have rebar from top to bottom and filled with concrete. Or are they hollow with just mortar and gravity holding them together? Is anything tying the top of this wall together like a roof? You could risk it and let us know if it worked. The risk is up to you. Either way I wish you Good Luck.

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**piknchikn** · 06-04-2016, 22:12

I agree that it is probably not a good idea. Concrete is typically designed for compression. I am not an engineer, but it seems that hanging a hammock from cinder block would not be putting force in the same manner for which it is designed.

**hutzelbein** · 06-05-2016, 04:51

You could look up (or ask a specialist) if there are special dowels for cinder blocks. I did a lot of research when I wanted to hang from gas concrete in my room. I got the strongest dowels. In order to get the desired weight capacity, I had to screw two wooden beams with 15 dowels and screws *each* for *one* side. I then connected the two beams with another one, from which I'm hanging. It has held me up for more than 2 years now.

**jadekayak** · 06-05-2016, 06:17

Originally Posted by BikerAtlas

Just wondering if I can mount anchors into cinder blocks to attach my hammock to the wall in my backyard. Will it hold the weight? If so, anybody know what kind of anchors to use?

BIG NO.

Very recently a young girl was killed hammocking think it was from falling bricks hitting her in the head from a similar situation.

Others is also a thread posted on HF of a brick column collapsing and downing a roof in the process and it was from a small girl weighing about 35Kgs.if you have a cast concrete pillar with re bar and the bricks just for decoration then its strong enough but check building plans first.

**breyman** · 06-05-2016, 11:07

Originally Posted by jadekayak

BIG NO.

Very recently a young girl was killed hammocking drink it was from falling bricks hitting her in the head from a similar situation.

Others is also a thread posted on HF of a brick column collapsing and downing a roof in the process and it was from a small girl weighing about 35Kgs.if you have a cast concrete pillar with re bar and the bricks just for decoration then its strong enough but check building plans first.

This was the first thing that came to my mind when reading the original post. Terribly sad story. Was an important reminder to us all about where to hang. Cinder blocks should definitely be avoided unless you're absolutely certain of their proper construction, along with anything else that can't withstand a pretty severe lateral force.

**Campdavid** · 06-05-2016, 13:50

More information needed. OP says it's a "wall." Some questions like the ones about rebar and what the top of the wall is tied to would be very important to know. If bolted into a roofing system or reenforced with rebar it may very well work.

If there is any question that the wall is not absolutely stable (old, crumbly, cracked, no verifiable added support), err on the side of caution and skip it.

If you do decide to give it a whirl.....mount a board with your eyebolt in it across a couple/few block. There are heavy duty anchors called "sleeve" or "wedge" anchors for use in block. It is critical to drill into the solid portion of the block (usually near a block end or dead center). If you miss it you'll know.

You could also mount it by drilling all the way through to the other side of the wall and run bolts through it. If you were to do that, run them through a board on the back side too to distribute the force.

Please be careful!

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**WV Mountaineer** · 06-05-2016, 15:15

Before I'd do the cinder block, I'd try 2, 10' treated 6 by 6's, put 2.5-3' in the ground and concreted in. Should work good In theory.

Total cost for this is going to be about $75 and, an hour of your time. $30 apiece for the lumber, $15 for the quick-crete.

**Kaerous** · 06-06-2016, 14:56

You can buy specially made anchor bolts that either a) expand or b) are fixed with epoxy that would hold your weight in concrete. I wouldn't see an issue doing the same with masonry. If it's a free standing wall, I may be leery if it was unstable or old. While concrete does not boast great strength in tension, it's not negligible. If the masonry is grouted I would be even less concerned.