Fixing a leaning laundry line post

PandDLong · May 3, 2015

I installed a laundry line by reusing some steel posts, and setting them in quickcrete. It is installed on a slight slope, so one post is, holding the line about 8' above ground. I put them in 18 months ago, but subsequently was called out of town for work and haven't put the line into service yet. The wife is keen to use it as spring has sprung here.

Unfortunately, my tall post is already leaning about 1" on 4' and that is without ever having a load. I can push the post straight, so it has obviously shifted in the hole and worked itself loose (it is tight in the concrete but the whole mass is loose in the dirt). Because, I reused the post, I worked with the length I had and it is set less than 3' deep - which may be the source of my problem or perhaps I didn't use enough quickcrete for that height of pole...

Suggestions on how I can fix this and keep it straight.

1. Is there a way to add support underground to stabilize it and keep it straight?

2. Do I need to pull it out and start again?

3. If I start again, do I need to get a section of pipe welded on to make it longer or is there a good way to set it so it doesn't shift?

(PS. The connection to the tractor is that I chain the posts to the forks to hold them at the right height and straight in the hole while I set the concrete)

Creamer · May 3, 2015

Since you are in Alberta I must assume that 3' is not below the frost line. Somehow you are going to need to anchor it below the frost line. Not sure what equipment you have but if you ahve a post driver you could put a wood post down each side of it and drive it in 4 ft or more to stabilize it. Since it is loose though I think it might be easier to pull the whole thing out and dig a little bigger hole and put concrete with rebar in a little deeper. the rebar will allow you to not have to add onto the steel pole you have.

rekees4300 · May 3, 2015

Make the post vertical then attach the top to a tree anchor using 1/4" steel cable. The anchor should be on the opposite side of the direction it wants to lean.

View attachment 423274

bcp · May 3, 2015

Or put the shortened post in a barrel of rocks on top of the ground and forget about the frost line.

Bruce

breadtrk · May 3, 2015

Push on it with the tractor, use a digging bar to tamp more dirt into the cavity created.

Or don't worry about it, it is a clothesline, not structural support for a building.

PandDLong · May 6, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions.

Creamer - very useful information particularly on how to properly anchor a post which isn't long enough to get below the frost line (typically the target depth here is 4'). I will try this approach. And then use it for other projects - I see a number of posts in my future!

rekees4300 - that is a great idea but I have a dearth of trees in the area so it won't work. Although I may use that approach on another area of my property.

bcp - that would work but I would probably end up having to do all my own laundry - by hand

breadtrk - straightening and tamping extra dirt seems like a quick and easy solution - probably do that on a few fence/gate posts I have that are leaning. You are right, this is just a laundry line but my sense is once the lines (there are two in parallel on this post) get loaded up with wet clothes the lean would get worse and then those clothes start hitting the ground - a few inches of slack on a 50' line seems to makes a pretty big drop. This is also a "learning project" for me as I do have an upcoming project with posts that will be more structural, I want to make sure I can do this one right before I tackle something where there is less room for error (and my wife will be happy with a well built line).