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How to install ground-mounted folding clothesline over storm water pipes?

adks

Our house is hebel so I need to put a ground mounted folding clothesline in. Our house as storm water pipes around the perimeter at a depth of approx. 30cm. I need to mount the clothesline over the SW to maintain space. Can I use 2 concrete blocks to mount the clothesline on using base plates. if so what size concrete blocks can I use.

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EricL

Hello @adks

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about installing a folding clothesline.

Because you are limited to how deep you can dig into the ground, I propose building a concrete slab instead to serve as counterweight to the clothesline and the clothes that will be hung on it. Depending on the clothesline you will be using, I recommend a width of 2.5meters x 1meter at a depth of 100mm. This should serve as an adequate base for the clothesline especially if you are using something like the https://www.bunnings.com.au/hills-ground-mount-plate-woodland-grey_p0596141 .

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to pour a concrete slab by @tom_builds

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @Noyade, @DIY4Knuckleheds, @myprojectresto, @Graeme50, @Gerber, @Project_Palmetto and @paul_hughes for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @adks

Rats to the stormwater pipes being at the worst spot :) Tho it just means we need to think smarter to get around the issue.

I do like you suggestion of two concrete blocks but as soon as I start factoring in wet sheets, a few pairs of jeans or a wet blanket the pivot point dramatically changes. I think a small slab would be far better to hold the posts needed.

If you could build a rectangular structure where you could have two posts into a concrete base and then use the two smaller slabs with say a stirrup may work (but wind gusts would weaken it dramatically)

Mmmmmm thinking of the idea above, there is no problem with digging down and around the stormwater pipe and filling it with concrete as long as the clothesline post doesn't touch the pipe it could work.

Any chance of a photo or two of the area to see if we can come with other supporting ideas?

Dave

adks

Added pictures of area and of the tap and drain. Could fit a 2.4m x 1.1-1.2m folding clothes line if I did not have to worry about the SW and could mount it about 100mm from the wall.

Dave-1

Good Morning @adks

:) Thank you for the pics.
Stormwater service is unlikely to run along right next to the house, however the concrete footing of the house may jut out 200mm from the wall which is something to factor in.

Instead of a folding clothesline maybe an old school T bar rocker styled one would work instead?
Think I post with a horizontal bar at the top held with one bolt through both pieces of timber. The clotheline is fed through holes you have drille dthrough the horizontal bar. The best thing about this is that the Horizontal bar can be dropped so you can peg things to it and then raised to allow heavy tings to dry easier. The way you rock the arm is via a loop of chain that is attached to either end of the arm with a loop that comes down to around chest high. And is held in place with a Bullet head nail. So you can slip the chain off and raise/lower the arm and then fix it back in place.

Dave

Noyade

"Can I use 2 concrete blocks to mount the clothesline on using base plates. if so what size concrete blocks can I use."

A worthy experiment @adks and worth a try. Are you good with concrete and form-work? Build'em big.

I saw this at Bookham this morning…about a metre square and 6" thick.

Canberra (always a little excessive). Everything was blowing away - except this. But just a thought. 😊

adks

I checked out our house plans. The SW is supposed to by 600mm from the house and the slab is pretty much in line with the wall as the hebel sits on a rebate from the slab to help prevent water seepage. Downpipes, drains etc are supposed to connect directly out out to the SW from the house so I may be ok. Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will try and dig the 2 holes (carefully) first and if that is successful then proceed with concreting in.

EricL

Hello @adks

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your clothesline installed and ready for use.

Eric