How To Install A Decorative Flag Pole On Concrete Home

Long before fiberglass or extruded aluminum, craftsmen working in spar yards used lathes to turn wooden flagpoles—masts with landlubber destinies. Honoring this tradition, flagpole terminology still twists nautical: Flags are raised past sheaves (pulleys) and halyards (ropes) that are secured on cleats. Some poles even have double or step masts, yardarms (crossbars) and gaffs (extra spars perpendicular to the yardarms).

Although woods is the nearly historically authentic material for a flagpole, it is also the most expensive. Here are some less costly options:

Fiberglass: The all-time fiberglass poles have a UV-resistant finish and are constructed with the majority of fibers running vertically; fibers that run horizontally make the pole weaker and can cause failure. Fiberglass poles are bachelor in various colors and are low-cal, easy to install and maintenance-free. The rigging can be run inside the pole to eliminate the sound of slapping halyards. Most models do non make lowering piece of cake, however.

Standard Aluminum: Although calorie-free, easy to install and available with internal rigging—no halyards to clang against metal—some painted aluminum poles chip, leaving uncoated spots that may stain. The most durable finish is clear-coated brushed metal, which often looks incongruous against a white clapboard house.

Telescoping Aluminum: The sight of retracting buttons and joints may not enhance the elegance of a pole's silhouette, but telescoping models are easily portable. Putting them up or taking them down requires only a few minutes.

How to Install a Residential In-Footing Flagpole

ane. Choose a Location and Pole Elevation

To install a flagpole, the outset step is deciding where in the yard to put it. Y'all can practice this by assembling a mock-upwards with PVC pipe and couplers. 1 person should hold up the pole in diverse spots so a second person tin can judge the result from afar. A grassy spot in a prominent identify by the front end door of the house is platonic.
To choose a pole'southward height, consider the superlative of the business firm or building: xviii to 25 anxiety for unmarried story building, 25 to thirty anxiety for 2 stories, and 30 to 40 feet for three stories.

For this project, This One-time Business firm master carpenter Norm Abram installed a pole with a linchpin assembly, which allows the pole to exist lowered easily for painting or major storms.

2. Dig a Foundation for the Ballast

Man Digging Foundation Hole For Flagpole

The day earlier installation, dig a foundation hole 30 inches deep and 24 inches in bore, using a postal service-hole digger and shovel. This will hold the painted steel anchor, which supports the pole and prevents ground moisture from wicking up and rotting the wood.
For soil that doesn't drain well, add 6 inches of gravel or crushed rock before pouring the concrete. The base should be high enough that the pole can swing up and down with ease.
Shovel in vi inches of concrete, let it set for a few minutes, and drop in the anchor.
Check the anchor'south alignment using an 18-inch chimera level, and so fill the hole with concrete and trowel it smooth.

3. Drill Holes for the Pin Bolt

After the concrete has set for 24 hours, rest the pole on two padded sawhorses.
In order to center the cleat on the pole'southward halyard side, measure 42 inches from the bottom.
Using an 11/sixteen-inch scrap, drill holes for ii ⅝-inch bolts.

four. Attach the Finial

To affix the truck (the flanged acme that holds the finial and through which the halyards are threaded), set the double sheave into a notch on the peak of the pole, then a sheave with the halyard pulled through lines up with a cleat on the base of operations.
Before screwing on the truck, coat the inside and edges with silicone caulking for a watertight seal.
Fit the finial into a ½-inch threaded hole in the center of the truck.

five. Install the Pole

Man Sets Flagpole Into Anchor And Inserts Pivot Bolt

Set the pole into the anchor and insert the pivot bolt. Adjust the pole until it is plumb, checking how information technology looks from afar as a helper holds it steady.
Holding the preferred position, mark the pole at the predrilled holes on the ballast. Remove the pole, rest it on the padded sawhorses, and drill holes for the locking bolt.
Insert the pole into the anchor over again and install the pivot bolt.
Finally, install the locking bolt and finger tighten it. Once over again, check to make sure the pole is plumb.