Plumbing a utility pole

timswi · Aug 2, 2018

I have a power pole that some years ago took a little shock when a tree fell on the right of way and the power company's pole moved. It's leaning a bit now due to that and some vines and branches that have grown onto the pole and wires. I have a tree guy coming next week to clear the power lines and clear things up. I have underground utilities from this pole to my house so there is cable guard running the length of the pole.

Any suggestions on how I can plumb the pole without messing with the cable guard, looks like 6-8 inches should do it. The pole is a standard resi pole, not a full blown utility company pole. Apx 20 feet sticking out of the ground.

boomer1025 · Aug 2, 2018

Put a guide wire on it and pull it back in place with a turnbuckle

radios1 · Aug 2, 2018

your electric company should fix that, it's their property right?.. mine would clear the area of trees and vines too!.. you never asked them?..

3Ts · Aug 2, 2018

My power company doesn't want us doing anything with their equipment which is everything on their side of the meter. They will come out and clean up whatever needs to be done. They will also trim trees beyond the power easement if there is risk of a tree falling on the lines. All you have to do is let them know and they come out right away.

timswi · Aug 2, 2018

I was thinking of the guy wire but was hoping for something a little simpler..The pole is mine, bought and installed by me. Our utility only maintains the overheads on resi props (at least that's my understanding since they put the overheads in to my pole) and they don't clear trees on resi properties unless it's threatening their transmission lines. With a $400/mo electric bill you'd think they'd take care of it.

I took the first 100' of overhead which is free from DQE to my pole, then I ran apx 175' more underground from the pole to the house, that's why the pole is my problem..

3Ts · Aug 3, 2018

In that case, i'd do the guy wire and turnbuckle approach. You don't have many options since you have wires and conduits attached to the pole.

fried1765 · Aug 3, 2018

3Ts said:
In that case, i'd do the guy wire and turnbuckle approach. You don't have many options since you have wires and conduits attached to the pole.

For: timswi
Have you actually contacted your electric company about this?
Even though the pole was "bought and installed" by you, it does have equipment attached, that is the property of the electric company.
If a guy wire is now to be attached (even at your expense) it would seem as though the electric company would have physical liability, even though YOU may actually own the pole.
If you were to get electrically hurt (or killed) while adding a guy wire, I think your electric company could be held liable for your injury/death.
I own ($12,000) all 8 poles on my property, but the electric company does all maintenance/repairs at no cost to me.

skipperbrown · Aug 3, 2018

Ask the power company for advice. I bet they take care of it for you. Working under live wires while stretching them needs to be carefully approached and the power company doesn't like customers getting killed working on their stuff. It's bad for business!

Cord · Aug 3, 2018

timswi said:
I was thinking of the guy wire but was hoping for something a little simpler..The pole is mine, bought and installed by me. Our utility only maintains the overheads on resi props (at least that's my understanding since they put the overheads in to my pole) and they don't clear trees on resi properties unless it's threatening their transmission lines. With a $400/mo electric bill you'd think they'd take care of it.

I took the first 100' of overhead which is free from DQE to my pole, then I ran apx 175' more underground from the pole to the house, that's why the pole is my problem..

Knowing this, I'd still call. Play dumb. They don't know where their work start-stops. You might get lucky and they will reset the pole. If that doesn't work, guy it. Obvious problem will be finding the parts retail (McMaster has some), but setting the earth anchor will be the real problem. Those go into the ground 6' and a normal auger won't have to the power to screw them in.