Erecting a washing line pole

[roundthebend]

Hi people

Managed to get a free washing line pole from a friend. It's a pretty hefty lump of metal like a scaffolding pole.

I want to secure it very firmly in my garden so that I can hang a few metres worth of damp washing on it, and being as it is already heavy I know this is going to need some serious securing.

Obviously getting it perfectly vertical is going to be important for balance. However, I want to know what sort of dimensions I need to make my hole of "planting" it to give enough of a platform, and enough depth.

Also, what type of concrete should I use? I've used postcrete in the past for fence posts and thought it was great. I also read that it might be a good idea to set the post in a bucket of concrete first, and then position that in the ground.

So, advice and tips are required. Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

keeping it upright will be much easier if you can attack a guy-rope or wire down from the back of it, in line with the pull of the line.

heavy wet washing applies a lot of sustained force on a pole.

 

[breezer]

will the guy wire not become a tripping danger?

never seen a guy wire for a washing pole.

I would suggest bury around 1/3 of its lenth in concrete to make sure it goes nowhere when wet washing added.

mind you. not a lot of use if pole is 6 foot tall

 

[roundthebend]

Thanks folks.

Fortunately, the pole is a bit more than 6ft. More like 8 or 9 I would guess.

Also fortunately, where I'm planning to put it would allow a guy rope to aid it without being a trippnig hazard.

Any suggestions on what type of concrete mix and what dimensions of hole to dig?

 

[AlF2008]

I realise its been a week since you asked this but I've recently done the same thing but with 2 new poles.

The recommendation was to dig a hole approx 200x200mm and 500mm deep. I cheated on the concrete and just bought some ready mix (just add water) from B&Q. Mixed 2 bags per hole and popped in. I put some old bricks in to wedge the pole in place and provide support in the direction they will be pulled. Its worked a treat.

Hope that helps.

 

[roundthebend]

That's great, cheers. I haven't got round to doing it yet, partly because of the torrential rain we've had and also because my mate is going to lend me a digging bar to help get a deep hole.

Was that ready mixed concrete something like Postcrete? I used that for wooden fence posts and was impressed with the results. It's also neat and tidy.

 

[AlF2008]

Cant remember what it was called but it was in a green and black bag. Just bog standard ready mixed stuff - think it was about £4 a bag.

 

[ModernMaterials]

i used a piece of waste water pipe in concrete

what is the outside diameter of your pole? (heh heh)

A piece of plastic pipe that your sink drains through will probably accomodate it. Just sink the plastic (above a layer of gravel) in some concrete and it wont even fill up with water.

 

[dave.m]

Use Postcrete. Fill the hole with water and pour the Postcrete in dry from the bag. Have a spirit level at hand to check the pole is vertical and the crete will be set in about 3 or 4 minutes.
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Special-Mortars/Postcrete/invt/221100
dave