How do I Install a Ground Spike for an Outdoor Umbrella Clothes Dryer?
- 1). Choose a spot for the umbrella clothesline. It must be away from landscaping, lawn furniture and other impediments. It should also be in direct sunlight and in an area that allows for the free flow of air.
- 2). Dig a hole as deep as the ground spike and several inches wider. Place the brick or stone in the bottom. Use the spike as a measurement. Place it in the hole and make sure that when the base is resting on the stone, the top of the spike clears the ground by at least 1 inch, but no more than 1 1/2 inches. This allows a lawnmower to go over the spike with plenty of clearance.
- 3). Mix the cement according to the directions on the package.
- 4). Place the spike in the hole and put the yardstick into the hole of the spike. Hold the level against the yardstick to make sure that the spike is straight.
- 5). Pour concrete around the spike, adjusting it to keep the spike straight. Make sure that the concrete remains about 1 inch below the lip of the spike.
- 6). Hold the spike straight until the cement begins to harden. Place the Popsicle sticks on all four sides to hold the spike steady until the cement is thoroughly dry. Depending on the cement and weather conditions, this may be as long as two days.
- 7). Place the center pole of the umbrella clothes dryer on the spike.