ACORN
Member
I am putting up a 20' flag pole. Got the hole dug, ready to go. 28" deep 12" diameter. Would you set the pole dry or mix it. I've never done dry. I figure 4 bags
Setting a flag pole
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I did mine semi-dry. Wet the hole throughly, then dumped in a bag, mix a little, wet, then another bag. Repeat. I used four 50# bags. Ain't nothing moving that pole.
Like you I have never done it dry. Before you go too far, make sure you have some stabilizers handy to keep the pole standing square and plumb. That much height about ground level it will be very prone to move a bit till your mix sets up good.
Appropriate day to put up a flag pole!
Baggy Wrinkle
Member
Please remember to have your hole deeper than your frost line so that frost heaves don't upset it later resulting in a pole that's not vertical.
Dry, and tamp it as you backfill...won't move at all as it draws the moisture out of the surrounding soil and sets.
THIS!!! 28" is not deep enough for a 20 foot pole in your area. I would recommend at least 42" and preferably 48".
Atlantic Flag pole website has a page for installation.
28" probably not deep enough in PA. I'd recommend 42". 36 will probably work. If u have a wheelbarrow mix it but not to wet. I assume u are putting a "sleeve" into ground that pole sits in. But if u are putting a 20' pole directly in ground u will have to brace it. Lots of leverage generated over 20'.
actually the concrete only has to be stronger than the soil... throw some rock in the bottom of the hole for a good base to prevent sinking into the soil and bag dump.. I also agree it doesn't sound like a deep enough hole... 42-48 around here...
When I did mine we dug down 4ft. 12" sonotube. Wet sakrete. 2" galvanized steel pipe.
Basically the only way that is coming out of the ground is nuclear detonation.
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crstrode
Member
Gravel. No concrete at all - just gravel.
OP
ACORN
Member
The 28" is what the manufacturer has in the instructions.
It also says to dig the hole 4" deeper than the plastic ground tube, which measures 24".
Now I'm confused.
It also says to dig the hole 4" deeper than the plastic ground tube, which measures 24".
Now I'm confused.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
36" is the frost line for here in Columbus, Ohio. I believe you are further North and Higher Elevation. 42 to 48" Deep would be the right way.
Is the manufacture in Florida?
Ivan
Is the manufacture in Florida?
Ivan
You need to have the foundation at or below the frost level to avoid problems. That doesn't mean the pole, it means the foundation. So dig the foundation 42" deep, put the pole in to the recommended depth and pour the cement around it. That satisfies the requirements and everyone is happy.
FWIW, I would stick a few pieces of rebar in with it, just for extra strength, but that's just me.
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I would agree - 28" is too shallow. If I were doing the job i'd go to the 48" mark. IMHO when you are dealing with drastic temperature changes, snow, ice, heat & rain coupled with wind - the deeper the better.
OP
ACORN
Member
OK, not to argue, but according to the instructions, I need to dig the hole 4" deeper than the plastic tube, which is 24". Then put 3"-4" of gravel in the hole. Put the tube into the gravel, making sure the concrete doesn't seal off the bottom of the tube, thus allowing for drainage. Bringing the top of the plastic tube up to grade.
How the heck can I do this digging 4' hole with only a 2' tube?
Thanks for your indulgence.
How the heck can I do this digging 4' hole with only a 2' tube?
Thanks for your indulgence.
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I cheated. I used the corner post of my chainlink fence to set my pole.I cut a hole in the top cap just big enough so I could still force the pole through it and sealed with silicone. I did this at both my current houses. However, when I didn't have a corner post, I dug done a couple feet, inserted the plastic sleeve and filled with concrete; it worked just fine for a 20' pole. Frost line isn't an issue where I live out west.
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Read #14. The pole doesn't have to go to the bottom of the foundation hole. Make the foundation hole 42-48 " deep, set the pole as deep as you want it - 24" or whatever - and pour in the concrete. The easy way to set the pole depth is clamp a 2x4 to the pole at the depth you want to keep it from going deeper in the hole. This isn't rocket science.
Here's a quick and dirty drawing:
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I do know when I dug the holes for my deck posts I had to go 40", and used those 12" cardboard tubes, with about 4" above the ground. I would think you could do that, put enough concrete into the hole to get up to the depth of the 2' pole tube then fill the rest in around it with concrete. I think this was suggested already up above. Good luck. Are there any tutorials on You Tube?
