How to Install a Flag Pole

When it comes to declaring your allegiances you can either dangle a flag from your porch or you can impress the neighborhood by erecting a flag pole. There are a couple regulations that you will need to keep in mind prior to taking on this project, but once you are ready, it is a rather simple task that can show your pride and give you a nice decoration in your yard. There are several city and state regulations that may determine the max height that you can have for your pole. You will need to look into the local regulations before you get started. You will also need to call the local utility company before you start digging. They will often mark any lines or pipes buried in your yard for free. You will be digging pretty deep to keep this pole secure, so you need to make sure you are clear. This may also dictate where you can put your pole. This call needs to be one of the first things that you do so you know where you can put your pole.

Just like other projects around your home, the first step is the design. The first thing that you need to do is figure out what you are going to put in and this will tell you how to do it. When figuring your design, you need to think of how tall you want it. Your pole will need to be about 25% longer than the desired height. This extra length will be the part that will be buried in the ground to keep your pole secure. Your hole will also need to be a five foot wide inverted cone shape. Many people will take this opportunity to plant flowers or other use colored rocks to surround the pole. There are several things that you can do to surround the base of the pole, but you want to remember to keep a walk way on one side. This will allow you to get to the flag without stepping all over the flowers. Having everything designed now will let you get a complete list of everything you need to buy so you only have to make one trip to the store. You will need at least two bags of concrete for this project. The larger your pole, the more you will need. The hole will need to be filled about two thirds to three quarters of the way with concrete. The rest can be filled with your topsoil, dirt, gravel, or potting soil.

Once you have all of your supplies, you can get started. Your hole will need to be deep enough to where your excess pole length will sit on the bottom of the whole and be flush with the rest of the ground at the top. When your hole is complete, you will want to get some bungee cords or rope that you can use to hold the pole up. If you want to get really extravagant, you can get a sheet of plywood and cut a hole in the middle that the pole will slip into. This will keep your pole straight. You can mix the concrete in your hole so that you do not have to use any buckets or wheelbarrows for this. You can either mix the concrete first and then add the pole, or you can put the pole in the hole and then mix the concrete. It may be easier to ensure a smooth and even texture to mix the concrete first. After you have the pole in the concrete you will want to let it sit for a while to make sure the concrete is dry. This can take one to three days, depending on the concrete and how much you are using. It is very important to ensure that the pole is straight in the hole and anchored enough so that it does not move. If it sags at this point or leans too much, it is very difficult to remove the concrete and start over again.

After the concrete is dry you can now fill it the rest of the way with your covering. Whether you want to put dirt and grass, flowers, or gravel in the hole, you can now top it off. If you are going to keep the same flag flying most of the time, you can create a flower mixture that mirrors these colors. For instance, if you are going to fly the US flag, you can plant some alternating or rings of red, white, and blue flowers around the base. You can also get some colored rocks to do the same thing. You can even spell things out with either flowers or rocks. This can be a very inventive and attractive part of your yard's design.

This is a very simple project that can add some flavor and beauty to your lawn. Having this done for you can get quite expensive, but doing it yourself is very inexpensive and easy. The only labor intensive portion is digging the hole. Not only can you fly your country's flag, but you can add your favorite sports team or group under this to show your allegiance and make a statement.