Flying a flag in your front yard is more than a piece of decoration. Flags hold a lot of symbolism and meaning, and they’re a good way to show off characteristics like love for your country, respect, pride, loyalty, etc.
But you can’t just hang just hang one up in your yard any-which-way and call it good. You have to do it right.
Don’t worry, though. Learning how to install a flag pole is a simple job, and it doesn’t take much time. We’ve put together this guide to show you how to get through the flag pole installation process in a few simple steps.
So let’s get started!
1. Pick a Spot
Before you start digging in your front yard, you should get in touch with the gas and power company in your area by calling 811. They will take a look at your property and let you know where the gas, power, and water lines are so you can avoid them when you dig.
Don’t skip this step.
In most states, it is illegal to excavate your yard without calling this number. Even if it’s not, you could cause some serious (and expensive) problems if you accidentally break one of these lines.
To avoid falling in love with a location you can’t have, don’t start planning your front yard flag pole design until you know where you can’t dig. This will help you pick the best location for both your yard and the overall layout of your property design.
2. Dig the Hole
You’ll need to dig a hole that’s about two feet deep and four to six times wider than your flag pole. The easiest (and fastest) way to do this is with a post hole digger, but you can use any digging tool you have on hand.
Dump a small layer of gravel or other crushed rocks to help with drainage. This is especially important if you have soil that retains water and doesn’t drain well. Without this gravel, your flag pole might tilt or even fall.
3. Secure the Pole Sleeve
Insert the flag pole sleeve into the hole and use a level to make sure it isn’t tilted. It should stick out about two inches above the ground. Then fill the space around the sleeve with more gravel until it is about halfway up the sleeve.
After this, pour concrete around the sleeve up to the surface of the ground. But make sure the sleeve stays level as you go. Otherwise, you will end up with an askew flag, which will distract from the beauty of the flag.
Smooth the top of the concrete with a trowel to get rid of any bumps or lumps. You’ll then need to let the concrete cure for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the instructions on the package.
Don’t try to install the pole before the concrete is completely dry. The concrete won’t have enough strength to hole the pole when wet, so it can make the pole lean.
Not excited about a small patch of concrete in your yard? Since the concrete only extends a few inches around the pole, it won’t be as noticeable as you might think. However, if you still don’t like it, you can always cover it with a patch of grass or plant flowers (or other plants) around it.
4. Assemble Your Flag Pole
You’ll need to attack all the necessary hardware to your pole before you can raise a flag, such as the truck, rope, and topper.
Since every flag pole is constructed differently, you’ll need to follow the instructions specific to your product. For example, if you have a FORTISVEX flag pole, don’t look up generic assembly guides online. If you’ve lost the instructions, get in touch with the company or explore their website to find the correct steps to follow.
5. Hoist the Flag!
Now you’re ready to stand up your pole and raise your flag!
You might be able to do this on your own, but depending on the size of your flag pole, you might need some help. For poles that are 25 feet or taller, you might need to rent or hire a crane to help lift it.
Otherwise, all you have to do is slip the flag pole into the sleeve.
Remember, the pole is tall, meaning it can be heavier than it looks. Even if it doesn’t have a lot of weight, the height can make it awkward. It’s always better to get a second set of hands to help you with the lifting process than struggling to do it on your own.
If you aren’t careful, you could end up hurting yourself, which isn’t worth the hospital bill.
How to Install a Flag Pole That’ll Compliment Your Yard
Flag pole installation doesn’t take a lot of work. If you have all the right tools, you should be able to do the job yourself in a few hours. The longest part is waiting for the concrete to cure, but depending on the type of concrete you get, you can wrap up this task in a single weekend.
Now that you know how to install a flag pole, you might realize the rest of your property design needs some work.
We’ve got you covered!
Don’t hesitate to take a look at the rest of our blog today! We have a lot of helpful tips about yard design and decor and how to personalize it to your preference.
