Looking to hang hammock between two brick pillars

[westozhanger85]

Hello people I am not sure if my query is in the right area, anyway...

I have an awesome front verandah that looks out to the ocean and it is supported by limestone block pillars on an elevated concrete pad so very strong and secure.

I want to buy a Hammock that I can hang between my two pillars but have no idea how to do this securely, I am a little frightened to attempt this without some advise from you good folk out there.

I'm a novice and would like to know right down to specifics such as materials, where to buy, and instructions on how to set up.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you

[SwinginIt]

I'd be a bit leary of that. There is a video on here somewhere of someone with a rope strung off of a brick pillar that they were using to traverse over a pool. The pillar and the roof it was holding up came down. Granted they had it strung tight so there was a lot more force than a hammock would produce...but still. Be careful.

[iRokk]

SwinginIt: I tried to find that video to post before I even saw your reply My search-fu is weak today.

[SwinginIt]

SwinginIt: I tried to find that video to post before I even saw your reply My search-fu is weak today.

Hahaha, great minds....

My search-fu is terrible so I didn't even try.

[Floridahanger]

First, welcome to the fun, from Florida.

To help with answers, do you have pics of the area? Can you give more dimensions of area?

...I have an awesome front verandah that looks out to the ocean and it is supported by limestone block pillars on an elevated concrete pad so very strong and secure.

How far apart are the pillars?

I want to buy a Hammock that I can hang between my two pillars but have no idea how to do this securely, I am a little frightened to attempt this without some advise from you good folk out there.

Don't be afraid of failure. Just be safe and take pics for our enjoyment

I'm a novice and would like to know right down to specifics such as materials, where to buy, and instructions on how to set up...

Are you willing to drill into the pillars for adding hanging hooks? Do you want to make a TDS(turtledog stand) to make it portable or removeable? Is the intended use for fair weather only or also in rain/wind? More info will help.

[zukiguy]

I wouldn't hang from the pillars but the roof structure (truss, beam, etc) that the pillars are holding up. Look up a "turtle-dog stand". Even a pair of relatively flimsy uprights will hold up a hammock. A descent hang angle puts a lot of force pulling in but the "down" force really isn't significantly more than the weight of the occupant.

[gmcttr]

search terms: "rope over pool brick pillar" did the trick.

[Pipsissewa]

HERE is a thread on virtually the exact same question. If at all possible, wrap straps around the pillars, rather than screw anchors into them. This does not address the issue of the strength of the pillars, just the strength of the anchoring. Best of luck!

[adkphoto]

I wouldn't hang from the pillars but the roof structure (truss, beam, etc) that the pillars are holding up.

From an engineering perspective, pillars are designed to bear weight vertically, not horizontally. It's good to be cautious.

If you decide to give it a try, definitely wrap some heavy duty straps around the pillars. I imagine the stone will wear out the straps a lot quicker than tree bark.

David

[Ramblinrev]

Masonry is strong as anything with a vertical load. I would not trust any degree of horizontal load. Mortar joints can separate quite easily. I saw that first hand when some work was done on my house. Unless there is a solid iron core that runs inside those pillars it would not be my choice. Even then... I would expect to bricks to displace.