As Memorial Day approaches, it’s a great opportunity to add some character to the exterior of your historic brick home. Setting up a flagpole is as simple as attaching a bracket with a few screws, but when attaching it to your home's exterior brick, you'll need to do this carefully, using the right materials to ensure the bracket stays put. Although historic brick can make things more challenging, the correct installation enables the flagpole to remain stable and strong for decades. Here’s everything you need to know about how to install a flagpole on historic brick for year-round curb appeal.
When drilling into old historic brick, it's essential to have the correct supplies. Many flagpole brackets are intended to be installed on wood, so they come with screws and anchors that are appropriate for wood, but these are not suitable for brick. Instead of the package screws, you'll want to purchase concrete screws and masonry anchors of the same size. Matching up the sizes is easy if you take the originals to the hardware store to compare.
Drilling into brick is not a job for your typical DIY drill. Instead, use a hammer drill, which is extremely powerful and will glide into brick. Using a hammer drill may still require some muscle, but it will do the majority of the work for you.
You'll also want to purchase a drill bit specifically designed for brick. Called a masonry bit, it will withstand the toughness of the brick without wearing down or becoming dull. A regular bit will only frustrate your efforts and could even break, posing a safety hazard. Your masonry bit should match the diameter of your anchors, not your screws.
Along with these main supplies, you’ll want to have a hammer, screwdriver set, pencil, and safety glasses on hand. If the manufacturer's instructions recommend additional tools or safety precautions, ensure you have those available as well. Keeping your tools organized and easy to access will help your installation go smoothly.
With your supplies gathered, the next thing to do is choose the right location for the flagpole bracket. Center the bracket on a single brick, as drilling into the ends or edges can crack the brick or damage the mortar. In addition, your flagpole bracket should not be installed into the historic mortar. It is too soft, will likely crumble, and can lead to water infiltration that may damage your entire wall.
You'll want to drill the hole slightly deeper than the anchor so it sits flush against the brick. A quick tip is to place a piece of painter's tape around your masonry bit to mark the depth of the screw so you know when you've reached the appropriate depth. At that point, you’ll need to tap the masonry anchors into the holes with a hammer.
With the anchors in place, place your flagpole bracket over them, and secure it with the anchor screws. Next, loosen the thumbscrew or wingnut on the flagpole holder, insert the flagpole, and then tighten it to keep the pole secure.
Installing an accessory where you can hang the Stars and Stripes provides a place to display your patriotism year-round, for every subsequent holiday: Memorial Day for the unofficial start of summer, followed by Flag Day and the 4th of July, and Labor Day and Veterans Day in the autumn.
Beyond hanging the American flag on these holidays, the flagpole gives you the opportunity to rotate other easy-to-hang décor which will complement your landscaping for added curb appeal all year ‘round.
Renaissance Development is the expert in traditional tuckpointing methods, specializing in brick repair and restoration projects in Capitol Hill and many other historic neighborhoods in Washington, DC. Contact us today to book an inspection or repair of your brick walkways, or if you have inquiries related to the historic integrity and preservation of your old brick home.