How to Set Up a Flag Pole

Flagpoles show off patriotism for your country or home state or reveal a love of your favorite sports team. Finding the best location for your flagpole requires planning. The pole should blend well with your landscape and be easy to see from various angles. Once you purchase your flagpole and find an appropriate location to place it, proper installation will have you showcasing your true colors in no time.

Things You'll Need

• 20-foot residential flagpole kit
• Phillips or flathead screwdriver
• Post hole digger or shovel
• Cement
• 4-foot level

Instructions

1. Slide the flagpole sections together from your kit. The top section of your pole is an unswaged piece. The middle section may be swaged and undrilled or it may be swaged and pre-drilled in preparation for the cleat, depending on your kit.

2. Attach the cleat using the screws that came with your kit. Screw the spindle or ball-stem tightly into the top of the truck (the aluminum piece that is a part of the pulley).

3. Thread the rope over the pulley in the truck and loop each hook into place mid-rope. Adjust the distance between the hooks to fit the size of your flag.

4. Tighten all of the screws to fasten the truck to the pole. Be sure the pulley in the truck aligns over the cleat. Set your assembled flagpole to the side.

5. Dig a hole using a shovel or, if available, a post hole digger. The width of the hole should be double the circumference of the flagpole for pouring the cement. The depth of your hole should be at least 10 percent of the height of the flagpole. Burying at least 10 percent of the flagpole will make the flagpole stable.

6. Fill the hole with about 6 inches of cement while inserting the ground sleeve that came with your flagpole kit.

7. Place the assembled flagpole into the ground sleeve, making sure the truck and cleat are aligned.

8. Place your 4-foot level against the flagpole to make sure it is vertically level, and then let the cement set up overnight.

9. Attach your flag to the flagpole hooks and tie off the rope on the cleat. Step back to view your waving flag.

Tips & Warnings

• Most flagpoles have a spike that you hammer into the ground to protect it from lightning strikes. You could also install a fiberglass pole to avoid lightning strikes. Install a flash collar to protect the base of your flagpole from weather and to add a finished look. If you purchase a flagpole kit with different instructions, follow the instructions that came with your kit. Not all flagpole kits have the same assembly instructions.

• Do not dig in your yard without first knowing where any buried cables are located.

References

• Flagpole Installation Instructions
• Home Addition: How to Install an Inground Flagpole
• Flag Assembly Instructions