Glassfibre flagpoles: What they are and how to look after them

What is a glassfibre flagpole and how do I look after it?

Our glassfibre flagpole are made using fine fibres of glass as part of a fibre-reinforced plastic material. It is combined with resin to form an extremely strong and durable composite which makes it the perfect material for flagpoles. We are the only UK manufacturer of glassfibre flagpoles are manufactured at our Newton Aycliffe based factory. They are available in a range of sizes and are regarded by architects and engineers as the very best available in the UK.

What glassfibre flagpoles are available?

Our commercial glassfibre flagpole range consists of white tapered poles, each with a galvanised steel hinged base plate and gold finial top. They come in heavy duty as standard, but are also available in extra-heavy duty and ultra-heavy duty. What you need depends on where your flagpole will be installed. For example, if you are right on the coast, we would recommend the ultra-heavy duty flagpole with a wall thickness of 5mm to combat the elements; the thinner the wall thickness, the weaker the flagpole will be!

You can also choose from a range of roping systems, or halyard, which allows the flag to travel up and down the flagpole.

Take a look at our range of commercial glassfibre flagpoles here.

How to maintain a glassfibre flagpole

Regular maintenance and servicing is essential to keep your flags and flagpoles looking their best. Harsh weather conditions and environmental factors can take their toll, so we recommend weekly, six monthly and yearly checks to keep your flagpole looking its best.

Weekly checks

• A visual check of the halyard is recommended weekly to look for signs of wear or fraying. If necessary, you can replace the halyard by sewing the end of a new halyard to the end of the old one, pulling the new halyard through the top of the flagpole.

Six-monthly checks

Every six months, we recommend you check the stability of the flagpole. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Check the operation of the hinge bolt by removing the nuts and washers and, with the help of someone else, walk the flagpole down and place it on a support. Do not remove the levelling nuts though!
• Check the finial for stability and ease of rotation, and check for damage to the pulley groove. If necessary, replace any damaged or worn parts.
• For external halyard systems, check for signs of wear or fraying and also check the cleat for security and damage. Replace relevant parts if needed.
• For internal halyard systems, including hoistable arms, check the operation of the Guardsman lock and jamming cleat. You can oil the lock if necessary. You will also need to check the halyard for signs of wear or fraying, as well as checking the weight, ring and plastic clips for wear or damage. You may need to repair or replace these parts.
• For swivel arm systems, check for signs of wear or fraying of the rotating top and replace if necessary. Also check for wear or damage on the weight, ring and any clips, plus check for damage to the flagpole at weight level. Repair or replace these parts if necessary.
• Wash down the flagpole with warm water and detergent to remove surface grime. It’s recommended to use a solvent cleaner for any ingrained marks.
• Re-erect the flagpole by walking the flagpole up (with someone else’s help again!). Check the base nuts for tightness and adjust if it needs to be more secure. Grease the nuts to protect them from rust and check the flagpole for vertical alignment.

Yearly checks

At this point, we’d recommend a full service or inspection of the flagpole should be carried out by a specialist. A log/report (provided by the contractor) of the date and works completed should be kept for your records.

For more information about our installation, maintenance and servicing, click here.

What should I do in adverse weather conditions?

We recommend you take any flags down in adverse weather conditions which, for a standard flag, would be when wind speeds are expected to exceed 30mph. If there is a requirement to keep flags flying in adverse weather conditions, specialist storm flags are the best option as they will withstand wind speeds up to 45mph. Once the bad weather has passed, the flagpole should be inspected using the steps above before you re-fly your flag. Here you can read more about how the weather affects the lifespan of your flag.

Our team of expert engineers are available to service and repair your flagpoles, or install new flags when needed. We also offer a flag cleaning service to keep your flags looking their best. You can get in touch by either phoning 01325 390 195 or by emailing sales@weareharrisons.com.

Harrison Flagpoles is the only independent manufacturer of glassfibre flagpoles in the UK. Our 50-year manufacturing heritage has equipped us with the experience, knowledge and skills needed to undertake even the most complex and challenging of jobs.