How to Install a Home Ground Rod

Dig a 12-inch-deep hole in the soil next to the home's foundation, using the shovel. If the ground rod connects to the electric meter's ground wire, dig the hole within 5 feet of the meter. If the ground rod protects a lightning rod, dig the hole directly below the lightning rod's location on the home's roof.

Slide a grounding clamp over the grounding rod's flat end and tighten the clamp's retaining bolt, using the correct size wrench. The grounding clamp holds the ground wire against the ground rod. Often the rod's flat end mushrooms during installation so the ground clamp will not slide over the mushroomed end.

Hold the end of a water hose on the bottom of the 12-inch hole in the soil and wash out the bottom of the hole. Remove the hose when the hole fills with water. The water loosens the soil for the home's ground rod.

Set the pointed end of the ground rod into the hole. Work the rod up and down in the hole, forcing the rod deeper into the soil with each push.

Hold the water hose on the bottom of the hole next to the ground rod, washing the dirt away from the ground rod. Remove the hose once the hole fills with water. Grip the ground rod with both hands and force it deeper into the soil, using up and down motions. Repeat this until the water flushes no more soil away from the bottom of the ground rod.

Hit the ground rod's flat surface with a 5-lb. hammer until the top of the ground rod sits flush with the soil's surface.

Slip the solid copper ground wire from the electric meter or lightning rod into the ground rod's ground clamp. Tighten the ground clamp's wire retaining screw onto the copper wire, using the correct size wrench.