How to Stick a Flagpole Into the Ground

Check with authorities to ensure that you can dig safely in the area you wish to place the flagpole. Verify that no electric, gas or communication lines are buried there. Most states have a telephone hot line to call before digging begins.

Review the flagpole kit's material for the recommended depth of, and manner in which to dig, the hole that will anchor the flagpole. Most flagpole kits include a ground sleeve that must be placed in the ground, and the flagpole goes in the sleeve. If your flagpole kit does not include a ground sleeve, then use a pipe into which the diameter of the flagpole's base will fit; the pipe should be about 1 foot long. The majority of kits require the hole to be 6 inches deeper than the ground sleeve to create a solid foundation so the pole does not sink over time. Flagpoles that are 20 to 30 feet long usually require a hole that is 3 feet 6 inches deep.

Dig the hole for the flagpole using an auger or a shovel.

Form a pack base for the flagpole's ground sleeve or pipe with sand, making it about 6 inches thick. Pack the sand in place.

Place the ground sleeve or pipe in the ground, and begin to back-fill the hole with soil. Partially back-filling the hole secures the ground sleeve or pipe in place but allows for adjustments.

Place a level on the ground sleeve or pipe where it faces east, west, north and south to verify it is straight in all directions.

Pour dry concrete in the hole directly around the ground sleeve or pipe, and add a small amount of water to the dry concrete. The water will activate the concrete to begin the process of setting, but don't add too much water because the ground's natural moisture will cause the concrete to cure around the sleeve or pipe once it is properly back-filled. The concrete should fill the hole completely.

Insert one section of the flagpole into the ground sleeve or pipe, and use the level to ensure that the flagpole section is level in all directions. The concrete still should be soft enough to make slight adjustments to the ground sleeve or pipe in order to prevent the pole from being lopsided in one direction. It is helpful to look at the flagpole section from a distance to determine whether or not it leans.

Remove the section of flagpole when the ground sleeve or pipe is level, and allow the concrete to settle and cure for 24 hours.

Assemble the flagpole's sections as directed by the flagpole kit. The directions ensure correct and safe assembly so that parts of the pole do not fall off and hurt people. Most flagpole kits include a pole separated into sections as well as nylon string looped around a pulley to move the flag up and down the pole.

Place the remaining soil around the flagpole.