How to install folding clothes line to weatherboards?

[wtw]

Hi,

I have normal (oregon) angled weatherboard cladding, therefore not a vertical face nor thick enough to attach to directly. Hoping to attach a folding washing line (i.e. https://www.bunnings.com.au/hills-26m-single-folding-clothesline-woodland-grey_p0170054) and wondering if the best approach is to install with posts into a concrete footing (i.e. https://www.bunnings.com.au/hills-folding-post-kit-woodland-grey-new-2-4m-height-_p0536168 ) and then clamp (non load bearing) to the weatherboards or is there a more simple way of attaching it to the weatherboards whilst ensuring its structural integrity. 

Thanks very much

[EricL]

Hello @wtw 

The best approach would be to install the clothesline on the Hills Folding Post Kit - Woodland Grey (New 2.4m Height). This means that you will not have to worry about adding weight to your wall or that you will accidentally damage it long term. The Hills posts is easy to replace when compared to repairing a damaged external wall. Having the Hills 26m Single Folding Clothesline - Woodland Grey on posts will also prevent your wall from getting damage, marked or stained. Should you ever decide to remove or replace the clothesline you won't have to drill new holes in your wall.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: Hills Folding Frame Post Kit 

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

Eric

[wtw]

Very helpful thanks. I am assuming although not attaching to the wall the suggested post kit could sit flush with the wall i.e. when folded out the clothesline doesn't protrude past the fixing points? Putting in a tight driveway and don't want to impact too much of the existing minimal clearance. This said I am assuming its easier to remove from the posts if ever required?

Again thanks

[JacobZ]

Hi @wtw,

You would need it to sit out from the weatherboards just enough so that the bolts can pass through the post and the nut can be placed on the back. I'd say you'll need around 50mm of clearance behind the posts to allow you to hold the nut in place and tighten it.

So, you would have 50mm of clearance behind the posts, the 40mm thickness of the post, then somewhere around 50-75mm for the bracket, bringing you to around 140-165mm protruding out beyond the face of the weatherboard, when it is folded down. 

If you need to remove the clothesline, it would just be a case of undoing the nuts and lifting it off the posts, leaving you with 90mm of protrusion beyond the weatherboard.

I can't imagine this would have a huge impact on your driveway, but it is worth measuring and having a look for yourself.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[wtw]

Really helpful. Thanks. 

[wtw]

Finally... Just wondering your thoughts of putting the posts into a sleeve (i.e. 50mm UPVC pipe) that is in a concrete footing. This way I could remove the posts if ever required. 

Thanks,
Wade

[JacobZ]

Hi @wtw,

Yes, you could put the posts into a sleeve, but you'd need to make it square like the posts so that they are supported evenly. If the sleeves were round, there would be a fair bit of play, which, over time, could lead to weakening and the eventual failure of the posts.

You could use two pieces of Metal Mate 40 x 40 x 3mm x 1m Galvanised Steel Angle Bar to create the sleeve.

Just cut them to length, set the posts in the ground with some 1mm Packers between the post and the steel angle, then concrete them in. Once dry, pull the posts out and remove the packers. There will be a small 2mm gap around the posts that will make insertion and removal much easier.

Alternatively, you could grab a piece of 42 x 42mm Pine, set it in the ground with the angle around it, then concrete it in. Once dry, remove the timber. This might be a bit easier than the method with packers.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

Hi @wtw,

That's what I suggested in this discussion.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Garden/How-to-relocate-a-folding-clotheline-to-Colorbond-fen...

Cheers

[wtw]

Thanks very much Jacob. I like your initial idea as this way I can temporarily fix the posts to the wall, ensuring they are at the right height, spacings etc... Wondering how you would fix the 2 pieces of angle together once around the post i.e. tape along there length? Conscious of making it too tight which could mean the posts get stuck.

Again thanks

[MitchellMc]

I think the idea would be to tape the angles around the post, with the packers between them and the post @wtw. Position the post and angles into the ground and concrete in place. Once set, you should be able to pull the post out, remove the packers and the angles will stay embedded in the concrete. As mentioned, you just need to hold them in position, rather than taping them very tightly.

Mitchell