Flagpole maintenance in Denmark: care, inspection and flag care

A flagpole stands outside all year round, and the pole, the line and the flag all wear. How much maintenance is needed depends mostly on the material: wood needs sanding and painting, glass fibre practically only cleaning. This guide describes the usual care of pole, accessories and flag as Bolius and Dannebrogs-Samfundet describe it.

Overview

The wooden flagpole

According to Bolius, a wooden flagpole can last many years, but it needs ongoing maintenance. The paint peels because the pole is exposed to wind, rain and sun, and cracks and a rough surface can develop. A rough and dirty pole can damage the flag. For maintenance, the pole is lowered to the ground and then sanded and painted. Bolius describes it as taking a couple of people to lower and raise the pole again.

Glass fibre and metal

According to Bolius, a glass-fibre flagpole is practically maintenance-free. It can get dirty over time and need cleaning, but it is not sanded or painted. Aluminium or steel poles have a surface treatment, and the joints and bolts are typically what is checked.

Pulley, line and finial

According to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, the pulley and the flag line are checked when the flagpole has been lowered, and Dannebrogs-Samfundet writes that a failed raising of the flag because of poor maintenance is an embarrassing experience. A flag line that is stiff, frayed or faded can be replaced. The line is often wound loosely around the pole a couple of times, so it neither bends the pole nor slaps against it.

Caring for the flag

Dannebrogs-Samfundet describes the care of the flag as follows:

• The flag does not touch the ground after lowering, so it does not get soiled or pick up earth stains on the red and white fields.
• The flag is not folded while damp, even if it has not rained.
• The flag is stored dry, in a suitable bag or box that protects it from dirt, moisture, mouse bites and moths.
• A torn, dirty or faded flag is not raised.

The sources disagree about washing: Dannebrogs-Samfundet writes that a dirty flag can be cleaned or washed if it can take it, and that this requires specialist knowledge. Bolius writes that, by custom, washing the flag is not considered appropriate.

Disposing of a worn flag

When a flag is no longer presentable, it is disposed of with a suitable degree of respect according to Dannebrogs-Samfundet, and a worn-out flag is burned. A flag of wool or another natural fibre can be burned on a private bonfire, but a polyester flag melts and gives off toxic smoke at the temperatures a bonfire reaches. It is therefore handed in, wrapped in a rubbish bag, to the municipal waste scheme, so it is burned in an incineration plant. Bolius mentions that the flag can be folded neatly and handed in at the recycling centre. Pennants and standers are disposed of in the same way.

Faults and replacing parts are covered in the guide to flagpole repair, the parts in the guide to flagpole accessories, and durability in the guide to flagpole lifespan.