Flagpole maintenance in Finland – through the year

A flagpole and flag last a long time when they are cared for regularly. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, regular care and washing of the pole and checking the fittings is appropriate for example every spring, and the Ministry of the Interior explains how the flag is washed, repaired and stored. This guide goes through the care of the flagpole and flag over the year.

The spring check after winter

According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, care of the pole and checking the fittings is appropriate every spring after the winter. In winter, ice, snow, frost and ground frost put a strain on the pole and foundation. In spring it is usual to check

• that the pole is straight and the foundation has not moved with ground frost
• the condition of the pole’s surface: cracks, dents and fading
• the condition of the halyard: wear, fraying and stiffness
• that the pulley and revolving top move freely
• the fixing of the cleat, snap hooks and the bolts of the tilting base.

The top of a tilting pole can be checked from the ground once the pole has been lowered. The mechanics are described in the guide to flagpole mechanics.

Washing the pole

According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, a clean flagpole does honour to the flag. The pole is usually washed with a mild detergent and water, and the manufacturer’s instructions say which products suit the pole’s surface. The surface of fibreglass can fade and roughen over time, and some manufacturers offer products for restoring the surface. The paint and rot protection of a wooden pole are renewed as needed.

Halyard and accessories

The halyard wears against the pulley and pole and becomes brittle in sunlight. A worn halyard can break, leaving the flag stuck on the pole or the halyard falling down. The halyard is easiest to replace on a tilting pole, and the new halyard can be threaded over the pulley with the help of the old one before the old one is removed. The accessories are described in the guide to flagpole accessories.

Washing and drying the flag

According to the Ministry of the Interior, a flag on the pole is ideally always clean and intact, and the flag can be washed. New flags come with washing instructions. According to the Ministry, a washed flag is not dried outdoors on a clothes line but indoors, and the flag is ironed as instructed before the next use. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, the detergent may not contain bleach, so that the blue of the flag does not fade, and city air soils a flag quickly unless it is washed often enough.

Repairing the flag

According to the Ministry of the Interior, a torn flag can be repaired, but the repair is made so inconspicuously that it cannot be seen on the flying flag. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, a dirty or tattered flag is not raised on the pole.

Folding and storage

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the flag is folded so that the blue is on top and the snap hooks and halyard are left free. A flag that got wet while flying is dried indoors before folding so that it does not go mouldy. According to Suomalaisuuden Liitto, the flag can be kept for example in a storage bag in a wardrobe.

Disposing of a worn flag

When the flag is so worn and faded that it can no longer be made presentable, Suomalaisuuden Liitto says it is disposed of with the dignity befitting the flag: by burning it or cutting it into small pieces that are put in the household waste in a few batches. The main thing is that the flag cannot be recognised from the pieces. The flag is not buried in the ground or the sea, and it is not reused, for example as sewing fabric.

Autumn and winter

In autumn, many households check the halyard and top once more before winter. The house pennant wears quickly in winter winds, and many take it down for the winter. Under section 29 of the Building Act, a structure must meet the essential technical requirements that are essential to safety if its failure could endanger people. Maintenance is part of that. Service life is described in the guide to flagpole lifespan and repairs in the guide to flagpole repair.