Hanging at home Option 1

[Gra_factor]

I am the new owner of a cute little craftsman's bungalow circa 1913. Naturally before I fix the flashing around the chimney and one or two other issues, I need to find places where I can hang a hammock

So... I have one big old tree in the backyard and a back deck with the corner post spaced just the right distance apart. Trouble is the deck is not the best made. The posts are 4x4 and go all the way through the decking, which is a good thing for my purposes, but I have scratched at the ground around them and haven't seen any evidence of concrete or gravel, so I suspect they are just sunk straight into the ground, which ain't code around here.

See the pics below. Do you think this will be strong enough? I wouldn't normally tie up to a 4x4, but given that it's all tied together and bolted to a facscia to the side of the house, I would think it would be ok. I should say the railing is for the most part toenailed in with decking screws, so I don't know how much they would contribute to holding the post up.

[trailryder42]

No, I would not trust it, nor risk damaging the structure. I'd go buy a 6x6 and sink it in concrete anywhere in the right proximity/distance from the big tree.

[jasonb986]

I would not trust it either, you never know what short cuts that they used. But if you had to use it or wanted to give it a try, this is my idea.

I would attatch a 4x4 to the side and bolt it into the side, see the photo. I defently would not trust the railing at all.

[Bannerstone]

Throw a couple pieces of wind bracing to the top of the corner post tie it back to the bandboard or the base of the next post and it won't even wiggle. It could be a 1x3 or a steel strap even a cable.

[spaceweaseal]

I would sink another post right by the deck and concret it in..
Get a long post so it can be tall enough to go over the deck to hang a plant or lantern there. That way when you do not have a hammock set up the post will look like part of the deck and not stand out...
Happy hanging

[G.L.P.]

no go here as well......

if the post was put in with concrete it would be a different story

[Gra_factor]

Thanks everyone for telling me what I needed to know but didn't want to know.

I will investigate further to make certain the posts are not concreted in, but otherwise will avoid hanging off it. I've been thinking I will rebuild the deck in the next year or two, so that it goes across the back of the house and has banisters to code, with built-in posts for hanging.

[Gra_factor]

Ok, so rather than start another thread called "Hanging at home Option 2" I will put it in here.

I have a 15' span in my basement between a central brick column (housing chimney and heater/hot water vents). I put a 3/8" x 3.25" long concrete/brick anchor in the basement wall, with a metal bracket I cut from a longer piece. See below.


Here's a longer view from the center column.



You're supposed to tighten the nut 3.5 turns and I gave it probably 5, although I think I can crank it still more. So, do you all think this is strong enough?

Here's the view in the other direction.


I will probably do something with that beam. I tried putting an anchor in the column, and when I tried to hammer it in I dislodged the brick! (See below) So I won't be relying on that. The wall around the basement is good and solid though. Good idea or not?

[bstricklandpft]

Let a fat friend try it first.

[spaceweaseal]

Go get a mason bit to dill a hole and use I/lag bolts and you should be good to go.
15' apart you will need the anchor points to be between 5.8 ft and 6' high.
Have fun