Turn Your Patio Into a Private Oasis

Turn Your Patio Into a Private Oasis

Our very first IYN pole stand installation was on our own back patio. We were desperate for a little backyard privacy....nothing against our neighbors, we just happen to have a raised back patio that puts us on display in a NOT so relaxing way.

With high excitement to test out my idea, I gathered my newly engineered pole stand, a borrowed drill, 9 wedge anchors, a black marker and a vacuum, and I asked my dear and helpful boyfriend to team up with me because, in all honesty, I was a little intimidated by the drill.  

45 minutes later we had 3 poles securely anchored on the patio and I finally had strong points to attach my privacy screening. I did a few small modifications to the screening and within 30 minutes we had instant patio privacy. 

It has made a world of difference in the amount of time we now enjoy our beautiful Central Oregon weather.  We went from rarely using the backyard space to now enjoying summer breakfast and dinners daily. The nice thing is that the privacy screens are adjustable and we can choose between cozy little nook or .....view into the neighbor's backyard. 

          OPEN                          PRIVATE

Concrete Installation: Purchase 3/8” x 3” wedge anchors. You’ll need (3) anchors per pole.

How to Install Wedge Anchors in Concrete: Use the round base of the pole as a template to mark the locations of holes. Drill holes into the concrete using a concrete bit. Bit size = anchor diameter when working with wedge anchors. Drill a holes 1/2" deeper than the anchor will penetrate into the concrete making sure that the minimum embedment requirements are met. The holes can be drilled while the fixture is in place.  It is important to make sure that the bit diameter being used will fit through the holes in the fixture.

Clean out the holes using a wire brush, compressed air, vacuum, blow out bulb or another method.

Put the nut and washer onto the wedge anchor and make sure that the nut is on the last threads (this will protect the threads from damage when the wedge anchor is hammered into the hole in the concrete).

Insert the wedge anchor through the fixture's hole and into the hole in the base material. This should be a very tight fit- use a hammer to complete the installation until the nut and washer are tight against the fixture. It is important that the threads go below the surface of either the base material or the fixture.

Turn the nut clockwise, until finger tight. Using a wrench, turn the nut 3-4 times until snug.

You Tube Video – How to install wedge anchors in concrete

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JI_9ggbmcY

February 25, 2018 — Kelly Louden