How to Repair Patio Swings
Patio swings are a wonderful addition to any porch or patio. Nothing is more relaxing than swinging with a friend or family member, watching the world go by with a cold drink. If your patio swing is not functioning, there are several options for repair you should consider, before throwing it away or replacing it. If you follow these steps, you will be enjoying your patio swing again.
There are many sizes and shapes of patio swings. The most common being the wooden variety that hangs from rafters or hooks on a porch. With frequent use, these hanging benches can fall into disrepair. There are some ways to get your patio swing back in working order.
- Inspect the chain holding the swing and replace it, if necessary. If there is excessive rust or if the links have signs of deterioration, you should replace the entire chain. The method you choose to hang the swing will determine how much chain you need. You can get this measurement in the next step.
- Check the support for the swing. If possible, a swing should be suspended from a rafter by looping it around and using an s-hook or clamp to secure it. If you do not have a rafter, you might want to remove the hooks and fill the holes with wood filler. If the hooks are in good shape, you should find a new location for them, maybe just a few inches away. Replace hooks that are damaged. It is important that you are screwing the hooks into the center of a support beam, for safety. If you have a ceiling on your porch, you can use a stud finder to find the beams or tap the surface to find them. The sound should be hollow where there is only ceiling surface and solid where a beam is present.
- Remove the swing and make needed repairs. Check all the bolts and screws and make sure they are properly tightened. If the swing itself has loose joints, you might consider using wood glue and clamping it to regain the connections.
- Refinish the swing. Maybe the finish is old and you get splinters when you sit on it. This can be remedied by lightly sanding the surface and then painting or staining it. If you choose to paint the swing, you should use a spray paint that will properly seal it from water damage. Use light layers, until you have the desired finish. An all-in-one stain and sealer is the fastest way to stain your swing, but you can choose to stain and seal in separate steps, if desired.
- Re-hang the swing. If you have taken the time to follow the above steps, your swing should hang nicely and safely support you and a friend.
- Use lubricant, if the swing squeaks. If you notice noises when you swing that are bothersome, you can apply some spray lubricant, like WD-40, to the area. This should reduce the friction and take care of the sound.