When you install a flagpole either at your home or your business, you make a statement. Fly the American flag and you tell the world something about yourself and your values. The flag represents pride, strength, resilience, and of course, patriotism.
Routine Inspections
Heavy-duty telescoping flagpoles don’t need much in the way of maintenance. While they may not require tedious care, they do sometimes need basic maintenance and cleaning. Inspecting your pole every now and then will ensure proper operation.
While it’s not necessary to clean the flagpole every time you raise and lower the flag, it’s a good time to take notice of any dirt or grime.
Also taking a look at the rings and fittings ever so often is a good idea. We’ll discuss in detail the different parts of the pole to inspect later in this post.
If you live in a climate where you experience heavy winters, consider inspecting your flagpole before and after the cold-weather season. Heavy-duty flagpoles are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, but over time conditions could wear parts down.
How to Clean Heavy-Duty Flagpoles
Because heavy-duty telescoping flagpoles are designed to withstand rough weather conditions, they don’t need cleaning every time you notice a speck of dirt or mud is present.
If you see a buildup of dirt and grime, you can generally use a garden hose to spray the flagpole down. Keep the hose on a low-pressure setting.
Soap is only necessary if there is a spot that isn’t washing away with just the garden hose. In this case, use a soft cloth and a mild detergent mixed with water to wipe the flagpole. Before applying any soap or detergent to a flagpole, test it on a small area to ensure it won’t ruin the finish.
Don’t forget to use the hose again and rinse off all of the soap solution.
After installation, aluminum flagpoles won’t need much care. The finish discourages the buildup of dirt and debris, allowing rain to wash most of it away.
If you are noticing water stains on your flagpole, spray the pole with the garden house and softly rub the area with a soft cloth. Taking care of water spots in the summer when water can quickly dry off of the flagpole is best.
Flagpole Parts and Fittings
You should inspect the flagpole components from time to time. Most manufacturers suggest inspecting your heavy-duty telescoping flagpole every 3 to 6 months.
First, check the internal and external interlocking mechanisms and look for signs of wear. If dirt or grime has found its way into the interlocking sleeves, rinse with water. Keeping these parts clean will help avoid any future problems.
Checking the flagpole base is important too. For proper weather resistance and durability the flagpole base should be installed exactly as the manufacturer recommends. Using a cap to cover the hole while the pole is not in use will keep water, dirt, and mud from clogging the opening.
Your inspection should also include a look at the flag attachment rings. Before purchasing a telescoping flagpole, you should make sure that the components are under warranty. That way, If something does need to be replaced on your pole, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Visit our site to see what parts are covered by our lifetime warranty.
As with anything else that uses moving parts, catching issues early helps prevent major damage to your heavy-duty flagpole. It will also help keep the flagpole looking pristine, which ensures fantastic curb appeal and makes you proud to fly your flag.
Replacing Flagpole Rings
Most traditional flagpoles have a rope and pulley system, often referred to as the Halyard. This system can be hard to figure out and the rope can wear very easily, causing issues with the functionality.
Telescoping flagpoles on the other hand, use rings with clips to hold your flags in place. This makes for easy flag flying operation and your flag is able to fly a full 360 degrees around your pole. Although the rings are much less maintenance than the halyard system, weather elements and heavy usage could still potentially cause problems. Periodical inspections will ensure that your flagpole is always functioning properly. Rest assured that if a swivel ring does break, they are under warranty and easy to replace!
Replacing the swivel rings when you’ve noticed they are beginning to show wear will ensure that your flagpole and flag remain in proper working order. Follow these instructions when replacing a Titan flagpole ring:
- Lower and remove the flag.
- Take the new swivel ring and remove the flag spring clips.
- Carefully and slowly spread open the swivel ring.
- Place the ring around the flagpole.
- Re-attach the flag spring clips.
- You have successfully replaced the swivel ring!
Replacing the swivel rings shouldn’t take much time and many people can manage to replace them on their own. Heavy-duty telescoping flagpoles are much easier to repair than traditional poles with a halyard.
How to Prevent Your Flagpole from Leaning
If not installed to proper specifications, your flagpole could lean. This can often happen when you have consistent prevailing strong winds out of the same direction. Even heavy-duty flagpoles can sometimes fall out of alignment. You’ll want to address the issue as soon as possible not only for aesthetic reasons but to prevent a safety issue.
When a flagpole leans, it’s usually a problem with the foundation. Our specifications call for the foundation to be 28” deep and 14-15” in diameter. The ground sleeve should be placed in approximately 4” of pea gravel, and then a concrete base should be set around the sleeve, making sure it is plumb before the concrete dries. If the hole is dug to specifications, you will need about 240 lbs. of concrete.
The standard foundation for a traditional flagpole is sand. Sometimes people also set flagpoles in concrete, which makes re-alignment nearly impossible without cutting the flagpole at the base.
With the Titan telescoping flagpole, a ground sleeve kit is sent with your new flagpole. The ground sleeve makes installation easy and will provide a durable foundation. Digging a deep enough hole, following the instructions, and using quality foundational products will make all the difference. Ensuring that the ground sleeve is level before pouring any concrete is important in making sure your flagpole won’t lean.
If your pole is going to be installed in an area where there is a strong prevailing wind out of the same direction, then we recommend adding 4-5” to the diameter to the width of the hole for your flagpole.
If you have a leaning Titan flagpole, you may need to dig up and replace the ground sleeve, using a level to make sure that the issue doesn’t happen again.
The main thing to remember when dealing with a flagpole alignment issue is not to ignore it. The longer you avoid fixing it, the more you risk damage to people and property.
How to replace Titan interlocking sleeve kit:
Interlocking Sleeve Replacement Instructions 2020
To replace the interlocking sleeve, completely lower flagpole all the way down, and pull out of the ground sleeve. Remove the flag from swivel ring, and carefully set aside. Lay the flagpole down onto a surface that will not scratch the pole.
From the bottom of flagpole...
Remove screws, then pull off black bottom cover and bottom cushion.
Remove all swivel rings from pole. (Be careful to not pinch fingers).
Slide all sections of flagpole through the bottom of flagpole (Use table or protected ground)
Depress both tabs with tools which will allow removal of the insert. (Have someone help you) then replace if damaged. Re-assemble flagpole.
Completely inspect the opposite insert, replace if needed. (Use tools shown) Re-assemble flagpole.
Have More Flagpole Questions?
As you can see, caring for heavy-duty flagpoles isn’t time or labor-intensive. If you keep up with periodic inspections you’ll enjoy your flagpole for a lifetime. Aluminum telescoping flagpoles require the least maintenance and care than any other heavy-duty flagpole option out there.
If you have other questions about flagpoles or want to order a new flagpole or replacement parts, contact us today. We offer personalized support for all of our products