When you don’t want to rely on an installation crew for your in-ground flagpole, you must teach yourself the best applications possible for a sturdy and beautifully-displayed flag. You want to show your pride and patriotism for your country. You want everyone to know how dedicated you are to your beliefs. So, you want to ensure that your in-ground flagpole has a proper foundation and lasts for years to come.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to install your in-ground flagpole properly. You’ll understand the types of in-ground flagpoles for residential and commercial applications, the different flagpole materials used, and a step-by-step guide for installing your in-ground flagpole perfectly.
Types of In-Ground Flagpoles
The two most common types of flagpoles are commercial and residential. Commercial flagpoles are typically used by businesses. They are durable and have a long lifespans. Residential flagpoles are a more popular, inexpensive choice for homeowners or apartment residents, providing a long-lasting and rust-free appearance.
As for commercial flagpoles, they are multi-sectional and taper near the top. Their average base diameter ranges between 3 inches to 12 inches, while the top diameter sits between 2 inches to 4 inches. They provide external rope halyards, internal cable halyards, and internal rope halyards. Commercial flagpoles come in many finishes and colors, including white, black, and bronze.
Flagpole Material Types
There are three common types of in-ground flagpole materials: aluminum, steel, and fiberglass. Aluminum poles are the most sustainable of the three. Frequently, commercial properties use aluminum. They’re a lighter counterpart to traditional steel and don’t rust. They also make for an optimal choice as a heavy-duty flagpole, offering years of dependability.
Stainless steel flagpoles make for a durable and visually-appealing option. They offer an excellent lifespan and don’t require too much effort for maintenance. They also can hold up against year-round weather conditions. Lastly, fiberglass flagpoles offer a higher wind load handling, especially near high-wind locations and oceans. Fiberglass flagpoles also provide internal and external halyards.
Tips for Installing an In-Ground Flagpole
Now that you know more about the types of flagpoles to choose from, it’s crucial to learn tips for installing an in-ground flagpole correctly. Thankfully, in-ground flagpole installation doesn’t take a considerable amount of time and can result in an easy way to display your patriotism.
Find the Perfect Spot
Location, location, location! Knowing where you can and can’t install your in-ground flagpole is crucial. Flagpoles are mainly located close to the front door of homes, but that’s not always the case.
Try to avoid having your flagpole too close to your house, as your flag needs space to fly without obstructions or snagging. Moreover, you don’t want your flag foundation to sit overtop underground gas, sewer, or water lines. Lastly, check for other underground lines on your property, including sprinkler lines, power lines, and septic lines.
Choose Your Preferred Flag
When you install your own flag, you must consider the height. If your flagpole is at least 20 feet high, you can install the flag yourself. In-ground flagpoles that measure higher than 20 feet require a professional installation services.
Residential flagpoles often offer aluminum or premium aluminum versions, which differ in quality. Aluminum is the standard option for residential applications, while premium aluminum provides a commercial-grade quality that holds up against years of environmental factors.
Dig the Appropriate Dimensions
When you’ve chosen your flagpole, you must prepare your landscaping for digging and installation. For example, let’s say you purchased a 20-foot flagpole. You are going to need to decide how you will dig the hole for the flagpole. The minimum diameter of the hole should be 10 inches at the top, while the bottom needs to measure 8 inches.
After you dig your in-ground flagpole foundation, you should place at least 3 inches of stones at the base of the hole. This will help drainage and prevent your flagpole from sitting in excess water and moisture. From there, you’ll add 3 inches of sand to the top of the stone.
Insert & Set the PVC Sleeve
After placing your rocks and sand, insert your PVC sleeve into the hole and fill the surrounding gaps with landscape rocks or gravel. You’ll want to use a leveler to ensure the PVC is plumb—meaning vertical. Once it’s plumb, place some tape or paper into the opening of the PVC sleeve to prevent debris and concrete from getting inside.
Use concrete mix and pour it around the gravel. Make sure none of the concrete enters the PVC sleeve. You’ll want the concrete to fill the foundation hole, then smooth it over with a concrete trowel to ensure an even surface. From there, check if your PVC sleeve remains plumb and adjust it to guarantee a straight, secure foundation.
Let the Concrete Set
After you’ve poured and smoothed your concrete, you’ll let it cure for at least 24 to 48 hours. You don’t want to disturb the curing process, as it can cause your flagpole to sit crooked or off-center. While it cures, you can start decorating or adding floral landscaping to make it look more presentable.
Place Your Flagpole
Once the concrete foundation completely cures, prepare your flagpole kit. There’s a chance your flagpole may need additional flagpole brackets or accessories; ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions so that you can assemble your flagpole correctly. After thoroughly following your flagpole assembly instructions, you can slip your flagpole into the PVC ground sleeve.
Most flagpole kits come with flags—once you’ve finished securing your flagpole in place, you can raise your flag with the flagpole rope or snap hooks. You can find instructions on adequately raising and lowering your flagpole without fraying, dirtying, or damaging your flag. You’ll proudly display your patriotism and pride.
When looking for heavy-duty flagpoles for your home, you want them from a reliable, American-made company. At Liberty Flagpoles, we offer residential flagpoles that help you proudly display your patriotism while maintaining a secure foundation. Our flagpoles come with top-of-the-line aluminum with a gold aluminum ball and a one-year warranty in case of damage. We are a veteran and family-owned business that believes in supporting our local community and pride ourselves on industry-leading customer support.
