20 ft Outdoor Flagpole Installation Instructions
Before Installing a Flagpole
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing your flag gently fluttering in the breeze, flying high above your home or business. It is something to be proud of. Here are some tips for installing a flagpole that you can refer to.
Commercial Flagpole Installation
All flagpoles have a maximum wind speed in miles per hour (mph). You should be prepared for the worst weather your area may experience. Improper flagpole installation or insufficient wind protection can cause flagpole damage.
Installing a Flagpole
If you are considering buying a flagpole or have already purchased one but don't have any installation instructions on hand, you may want to learn how to install a flagpole. We'll walk you through the steps of installation. You may also be interested in our Commercial Flagpole Buying Guide.
Materials You'll Need
The list of materials for installing a flagpole may vary. The quantities of certain materials will vary depending on the size and number of poles you are installing.
To assemble a flagpole you'll need:
Concrete
Gravel
Clean, dry sand
Outdoor caulk
Digger or auger
Standard shovel
Plumb line
Level
Step 1 - Choose a location for your flagpole
The first step in installing a flagpole is choosing a location. Of course, the area where you install your flagpole will have a big impact on how effective it will be. Consider the balance between being able to see the flagpole from a window and being able to see it when people walk by or drive by. Additionally, you should consider placing your flagpole in a windy location. If your flagpole is too close to a tree or large building, the wind may not be strong enough to keep the flag flying. The beauty of having a flagpole is seeing the flag flutter majestically in the wind. Therefore, try to choose a mounting location where the wind can reach your flagpole and flag from multiple directions.
Lastly, consider lighting. Again, placing your flagpole a good distance from other trees or buildings will allow maximum natural light to reach the flag. This will also enhance your flag's beauty when it is flying.
Step 2 - Make sure your digging is safe
Digging for a flagpole foundation is one of the most important steps, and one of the easiest to overlook, with unpleasant or even dangerous consequences. In the modern world, there are many important wires and pipes buried underground, so it is easy to accidentally cut one of them when digging the hole for your flagpole. The consequences can range from interruptions to services like electricity, cable TV, or telephone, to more serious consequences like burst water pipes, damaged power supplies, which can result in serious personal injury.
Step 3 - Digging the Hole for the Flagpole
To know how to erect a flagpole, you first need to create a solid foundation. Once you have chosen the location for the flagpole and have verified that it is secure underground, you can begin installing the flagpole. You can choose to use an auger to make the hole, which can save you some time and effort.
When digging the hole, you should dig it 4 to 6 times the diameter of the end of the flagpole. If you know your conditions tend to be very windy, you may want to use 6 times the diameter of the end. Also, if your ground conditions are sandy, a larger foundation hole is better. In situations where the soil is firm and winds are generally weak, you can choose a slightly smaller foundation - 4 times the diameter of the end. In the end, it is a matter of judgment, and you can't go wrong with digging a slightly larger hole.
As for depth, you should dig the hole to the length of the ground casing (the plastic or steel casing that comes with the flagpole) plus 6 inches. The reason you add this extra 6 inches is so that you can put drainage gravel at the bottom of the foundation hole and then place the ground casing on top of the gravel. After the foundation is laid, the ground sleeve should be flush with the ground. We will show you how to set it up in the next step so that you can complete the installation of the flagpole.
Step 4 - Build a Solid Foundation
Understanding how to drive a flagpole into the ground requires building a solid foundation. Once you have dug the hole, place about 6 inches of crushed stone at the bottom of the hole and then place the ground sleeve on top. Check to see if the top of the ground sleeve is even with the surface of the soil around the hole, if not adjust the amount of crushed stone in the hole until it is.
Now that you have dug the hole to the proper depth, you can place the ground sleeve in place and begin preparing to add cement to the flagpole foundation. Start by placing the ground sleeve in the center of the hole. Use a level to make sure the sleeve is vertical, then secure it in place (just enough so that it doesn't move as you add cement to the hole) and seal the top of the ground sleeve to prevent concrete or other materials from falling into it.
The next step is to mix the cement. The amount of cement you need will depend on the size of the flagpole and the hole. Calculate the amount of cement you will need ahead of time. Buy extra cement to be safe and return any unopened bags after the installation is complete. It is best to mix one bag of cement at a time so you don't waste money by mixing too much.
Once the cement is mixed, begin to gently shovel it into the hole around the ground casing (not inside). Stop adding cement when you have the hole filled 1 or 2 inches below the ground. This will allow you to add topsoil after the cement cures and allow grass to grow around the flagpole. Wait for the concrete to set. We found it best to let the concrete cure overnight and then complete the final steps the next day. But if you are in a hurry and need the job done in a day, you can follow the concrete manufacturer's recommendations for curing time. Now you are ready to assemble your flagpole!
Step 5 - Prepare the Flagpole to Stand
Before you can stand the flagpole on its new base, you will need to mount the flagpole in advance. If your flagpole is segmented, you will need to continue squeezing the sections of the flagpole together (slipping the end of one section inside the end of the next section). Once this is done, you can attach the bracket to the top of the flagpole. Screw in the top ball or eagle ornament and then thread the halyard through the pulley. Do not trim the halyard at this point, we will do this once the flagpole is erected and we have determined the exact amount that needs to be trimmed. Attach the cleat to the bottom of the flagpole. The flagpole manufacturer will have pre-drilled holes for you. Loosely wrap and tie the end of the halyard around the cleat.
You should now have your flagpole fully assembled and in the ground. Everything should be on the flagpole except for the snap hook and flag. The guide on how to mount a flagpole is coming up soon!
Step 6 - Erect the Flagpole
Warning: The final step in flagpole assembly can be dangerous. We recommend having at least one helper to complete this step - and possibly more, depending on the height of the flagpole.
Again, the main consideration when learning how to install a flagpole is safety first. So before you begin erecting the flagpole, first make sure that there are no overhead wires that could come in contact with the flagpole while it is erected. If the flagpole comes in contact with wires while you and your helper are holding the flagpole, you could get an electric shock.
Once you are certain that everything is in working order and that it is safe to erect the flagpole. Move the end of the flagpole near the ground sleeve opening. Get the stuff that is used to seal the ground sleeve. Place the end of the flagpole at the opening of the ground sleeve and have your helper start lifting the flagpole from the top. As they lift the flagpole, place the end of the flagpole into the ground sleeve. As the flagpole becomes more and more upright, your helper can slide their hands from the pole toward you. Be careful to ensure that the end of the flagpole is placed inside the ground sleeve and keep downward pressure to keep the end of the flagpole inside the sleeve. Otherwise, the flagpole may pop out of the sleeve and fall to the ground behind the assistant, possibly damaging the flagpole or injuring others.
Step 7 - Raising the Flag
We are about to get to the best and most exciting part of the flagpole installation project - raising the flag for the first time. But before we can raise the flag, we need to tie up some loose ends. We need to connect the two ends of the halyard rope so that it forms a giant loop.
Your flagpole will most likely come with the right length of halyard rope. But if it is not the right length (and it is too long), you can trim it to the right length. We recommend that the tied halyard hangs about 2 feet below the tie down. This will give you enough room to wrap the halyard around the tie down a few times. Once the halyard is cut to the right length, you need to tie the two ends together.
Once the two ends are tied securely, you can attach the snap hook. Most snap hooks have a loop that you use to secure them to the halyard. The easiest way to do this is to fold the rope into a loop and then pass it through the loop on the end of the snap hook. Next, loop the spring end through the snap hook and pull tight. The position of the second snap hook will be determined by the width of the flag. Install the second snap hook according to the width of the flag.
Step 8 - Admire your work!
At this point, your flag should be up and flying. Congratulations - you learned how to install a flagpole in the ground! Well done. Now you can sit back and admire its beauty.