Buying a pergola for your yard might be a great idea. This is something that many people like to do because it adds to the overall look of your yard.
A pergola also serves many practical purposes. It can make for a great gathering spot where you can host little parties or just relax and enjoy your garden area.
If you’re new to the idea of owning a pergola, you might be worried about whether it will be wobbly. Is it common for pergolas to wobble or should they be rather sturdy?
Continue reading to learn more about this backyard staple. You’ll learn about what it means when you see a pergola wobble.
It’s Normal for Pergolas to Move a Bit
Note that it’s normal for pergolas to move a little bit. Even if you install everything perfectly, it’s going to be normal for the pergola to have a bit of movement.
This happens for a few different reasons. One is that wood flexes normally and it’s going to move a little bit on a windy day.
A pergola moving a little bit is fine, but it shouldn’t feel wobbly. Wobbly is more of a term that should be used when the pergola seems as if it’s unstable.
This is not normal, and it’s something that you need to address fast. Thankfully, it should be easy enough to figure out what’s going on.
Why Does My Pergola Wobble?
So you installed a pergola on your property and it’s fairly wobbly. Why is the pergola wobbling and what can you do to fix it?
There are a few different things that could be happening. You’ll need to retrace your steps to figure out what went wrong so that you can fix the issue.
This could be something as simple as fastening things again and making sure that everything is tight. Or it might be that you didn’t do something right and you’ll need to start from square one.
Below, you’ll learn about several common reasons why pergolas turn out wobbly. Use this information to troubleshoot and determine what went wrong in your situation.
1 – You Didn’t Follow the Instructions Properly
It’s very common for people to have issues with pergolas. These pergolas are often sold in kits at stores and you install them yourself.
The installation process is fairly straightforward, but it still requires a bit of effort. There will be an instruction sheet that lays out everything that you need to do to install the pergola properly.
Did you take the time to carefully read the instruction sheet? Are you certain that you followed the instructions to the letter and did as you were asked?
If it’s possible that you made some mistakes along the way, it might be wise to go back and check your work. There could be something that you missed that is causing the pergola to wobble.
In the future, take the time to read the instructions carefully and don’t rush through the process. It’s also helpful to have a friend or two with you to help you so that you don’t overlook certain things while trying to get the job done.
2 – You Need to Tighten Things Up
Perhaps you simply need to go around tightening things up a little bit. When the pergola seems a bit wobbly it could be that things aren’t as tight as they need to be.
In your haste, you might not have taken the time to tighten all of the bolts as well as you should have. Go back and tighten all of the bolts and make sure that the fasteners are installed properly.
If everything is tight, the pergola shouldn’t be wobbly at all. You should feel as if the pergola is rather sturdy even if it does have a little bit of movement.
It’s always wise to go back and tighten things up twice just to be sure that things are safe. You won’t have to spend a lot of time tightening everything down, but it’ll make a difference.
3 – Is the Ground Level?
Sometimes people have issues with wobbling due to placing pergolas on uneven ground. It’s not wise to install a pergola on an uneven plot of land.
You might have put the pergola on a spot that is at least slightly uneven. Is the ground sloped or are there other issues with soil elevation?
Before installing a pergola, it’s best to ensure that the location is ready for it. You might need to take steps to level the ground ahead of time so that everything will turn out properly.
Otherwise, you might be better off choosing a different location for the pergola. Some spots in your yard might not be good for a pergola due to being too sloped or having pitted sections.
Get Someone to Build a Pergola for You
You don’t have to build a pergola yourself if you’re not comfortable doing so. These structures can easily be built by professionals if you have the money to hire someone.
Many people find it to be more convenient to hire professionals to get the job done. A builder can easily build you a pergola that will look amazing and will be structurally sound.
If you don’t have the time to build a pergola on your own, it’s advisable to call someone to do it for you. These professionals can build custom pergolas for you that will suit your home perfectly.
Of course, the downside is that you’ll have to pay out more cash this way. It is more costly to have a custom-built pergola placed on your property by a business.
However, it might be worth it in the long run. If you lack the construction skills to do this yourself, it could be the safest thing that you can do.
Granted, installing a pergola using one of the handy kits that you can buy at home improvement stores won’t be that tough. It just comes down to whether you have the tools, the time, and the knowledge to get things done.
Final Thoughts
You now have a much better idea of what it means when your pergola is wobbly. Pergolas are supposed to have a little bit of give and movement.
Describing a pergola as wobbly is not a good sign, though. If your pergola is truly wobbly, it’s likely not all that safe.
There’s a good chance that you might just need to tighten up some bolts. Make sure that all of the fasteners are on properly.
You should also check to make sure that the pergola is installed correctly. If following the instructions from a pergola kit, it’s best to do everything in the right order to ensure that you get the right results.
There could be an issue such as the ground not being level. This is something that you should address before building a pergola since you might need to make adjustments to the landscape to make things safe.
Make the necessary changes so that you can enjoy your new pergola. If building your own pergola sounds too tough, it might be better to call someone to build it for you.
There are professionals that build custom pergolas for people. This will cost more money than buying a pergola kit and doing things yourself, but it might be worth it if you’re not someone who feels comfortable doing this type of work.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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