One of the big benefits of telescopic flagpoles is the fact that you can collapse the poles and put them up again with ease. If you can access all of a flagpole, you'll find it easier to manage your flags and the pole itself.

However, telescopic flagpoles sometimes fail. For example, they can lose their smooth operation and feel sticky or get stuck when you raise or lower them.

Why does this happen and what can you do about it?

Stuck Buttons

If your telescopic flagpole has spring locks, then it typically has one or more release buttons along its length. These buttons should release the locking mechanism that holds the parts of the pole in place.

If one of your buttons develops a problem, then your flagpole might not move as smoothly as it should. For example, if a button gets stuck in an open position, then it won't retract fully to allow the pole to slide up and down.

In some cases, a button has a minor problem which just makes the pole stick a little. You might be able to move it with a bit of jiggling. However, if the button doesn't retract enough, the pole might get completely stuck at a certain point.

Sometimes, a flagpole button sticks because it needs lubrication. Dirt that has got inside the pole and settled around a button can also make it stick. Or, your flagpole might have some rust in or around a button. If the rust holds the button's mechanism in place, then it might not be able to fully open or close. In some cases, your button and its mechanism might just need to be cleaned and lubricated to make it run smoothly again. If you have a lot of rust in the button, then you might need to replace it.

Damaged Springs

Telescopic flagpoles also rely on a system of springs as they go up and come down. These springs help a flagpole lock and unlock when you need to change its position. Rust can cause some problems here. While rusty springs often make a flagpole collapse because they prevent its locks from holding it up, they can also make the flagpole stick. If rust makes a spring hard and affects its flexibility, then it might not be able to lock or unlock its part of the system. The spring might get in the way of the pole's normal movement.

While cleaning might clear the problem, a badly rusted spring is hard to restore. Your best bet might be to replace the spring here.

For a quick diagnosis of your problem and a suitable fix, contact flagpole repair companies.

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