Dry Bag Gazebo Weights

Typical water filled gazebo weights weigh less than 10kg when full.

And although you can double them up, they are not designed for long term use exposed to the elements.

Furthermore, if your project is not a standard gazebo you will have trouble getting the store bought products to fit.

So when I wanted a long term durable heavy weight for a semi permanent structure, this is what I came up with…

Materials for 4 x 10kg weights

2 x 20kg bags of concrete

4 x 5L dry bags

(Note: Each 20kg bag of concrete mix will fill two 5L bags when mixed with water)

4 x eye bolts and a few extra nuts and washers

1. Mark a position for the eye bolts a little over half way up the side of each bag. The eye bolts will be used for tying the finished weights into position.
2. Mix up a bag of concrete.
3. Fill the dry bag with concrete mix up to the position you have marked for the eyebolts, tamping the mix down at intervals. (I used a plastic planter with the bottom cut away to keep the mouth of the bag open and free from cement. I also put the dry bag in a bucket to catch any spills.)
4. Use a sharp point to make an opening in the dry bag at the mark and insert the eye bolt. On the inside of the bag place at least 2 nuts spaced along the bolt thread. (If I was to do this again I would put a third nut on the outside as well, before inserting the bolt into the side of the bag.)
5. Place a small amount of concrete into the bag to cover the bolt and tamp it down before filling the bag as far as possible while still being able to close the bag.
6. Close the bag while the concrete sets to make sure it will set into the correct shape then open the bag to allow the concrete to set properly.

Now you have four 10kg weights that can be easily carried using the handles on the dry bags.

Use ropes to tie the weights in place using either the eyebolts or the loops on the drybag or both.

I will drill a hole through the posts for a rope.