Need Advice Custom Backyard Playset Inspection

So we moved into the neighborhood last Fall and inherited a rather large custom wood playset in our backyard (swings, slides, rock wall, etc.).

Having spent a few months with it now we've started to notice some of the normal wear and tear on it such as cracks on the main support beams, the bar with the swings starting to bend a bit with larger kids on it, etc.

When we bought our house the home inspector said he doesn't inspect things outside the house itself so we're looking for advice on who to even call to take a look at this. Our primary concern is just that it's safe for both our kids and the neighborhood ones that seem to show up.

 

Without trying to sound flip, it sounds like you've already inspected it and found some parts of it to be worn, damaged or broken. An external inspector would do the same. No one is going to calculate the load on the existing structure and provide you with safe and usable weight limits. If it's cracked and flexing when the kids are playing on it, it's just a matter of time until it breaks completely.

That amount of time may be quite awhile if you keep the big kids off of it, but you never know. But if you have spare kids maybe that's an acceptable risk.

 

haha spare kids, awesome 8)

Here's my test -- if the swingset/slide/etc/etc. holds a 190+lb adult, it'll work for the kids And even if something breaks, it'll provide a little excitement in life!