Clever ideas for a hole in the ground for a clothes airer

[TeaAndASitDown]

Moved into a new house which has a hole in the ground for a clothes airer outside. The problem is that the pole of our clothes airer is wider than the hole.

The hole is in a patio. I could smash up the patio to make space for a bigger hole (nowhere else for it to go), but I wondered if anybody had any clever ideas or knew of an adaptors which would mean that we could use the current hole! Thanks.

This sort of thing? JVL Heavy Duty Rotary Airer Multi-Fit Ground Soil Spike with Adaptor to Fit 32-40 mm Diameter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WIYPD62/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_.ZGCEbZCGBB3V

Buy a different washing line that fits.

It's probably best to work out what size hole you need first. Once you do, there is a few options. You can just enlarge the hole using a cutter, buying an adapter, like the one suggested above, or as someone else suggested, buy a new rotary airer. If you do enlarge the hole, borrow or rent an sds drill and use a core drill such as this www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-diamond-core-drill-bit-52mm/49650. Should help enlarge the hole, without breaking all the paving stones.

I agree with crapette: it's probably easier to find a new airer to fit the existing hole than to make a new hole to fit the existing airer.

Or could you have a retractable line instead?

Thanks all. Have ordered the ground spike above which happens to be the same one we had in our old house. Am not sure it's going to work in the current hole, but will try it.

I don't know anyone with that drill bit and don't have heaps to spend on this so will take up the patio if the new spike won't fit in old hole. Was just checking I wasn't missing something obvious. Thanks again!

Would your airer pole fit into a patio umbrella base? I had ours in one for ages before sorting a ground spike.

WHy not try to fit in a wall mounted line or retractable line? They are much more discreet

I’ve got one of those very large rubber buckets, filled with concrete and with a ground holder set in the middle. We put it on one of plant stands on wheels, so that it can be moved out of way when sat on patio. The holder takes a rotary line or sun umbrella.

Thanks! Great ideas about alternative bases. Will have a look into that! The ground spike I ordered is too big sadly.

No space for a different airer due to shape of garden/ where the sun is, plus kids playing, but thanks for the suggestion. Thanks all!