Green Building Forum - Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System Sat, 06 Jun 2026 12:38:45 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279760#Comment_279760 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279760#Comment_279760 Tue, 07 Apr 2020 21:56:40 +0100 Victorianeco
I've seen designs previously with 2 lines and different pulley setups but can't find anything? I've also seen some with wheels to make lifting heavy washing easier.

What's a good basic design to follow and best clamps to fix a scaffolding bar to a breeze block wall?]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279766#Comment_279766 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279766#Comment_279766 Wed, 08 Apr 2020 10:43:38 +0100 owlman If there is a problem, it will be with the washing line itself. Twelve metres of wet washing can weigh heavy and with UV degradation and wind load of the usual PVC coated thin nylon lines they will eventually break especially near cleats etc., where they rub. You may be better with an intermediate post i.e. 2 x 6M; make the middle one removable with a ground tube insert.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279768#Comment_279768 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279768#Comment_279768 Wed, 08 Apr 2020 13:17:22 +0100 djh Posted By: owlmanYou may be better with an intermediate post i.e. 2 x 6M; make the middle one removable with a ground tube insert.
Or use a clothes prop.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279781#Comment_279781 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279781#Comment_279781 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 08:13:52 +0100 Cliff Pope I can't see an ordinary plastic-coated line working satisfactorily because of the difficulty of making the attachment each time to the cleat - it's hard enough tying a secure permanent knot, the stuff is so intractible, slippery, and prone to cracking round tight bends.

I thought the point of a pulley system was so that you could add or remove washing from one end, such as an upstairs window, without having access further down the line. A prop part way along wouldn't work, for obvious reasons.
I'd have you needed something sturdier yet flexible, from a yacht chandlers perhaps.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279783#Comment_279783 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279783#Comment_279783 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 12:09:53 +0100 Victorianeco
When I mean pulley system, I mean with cleats and pulleys etc.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279784#Comment_279784 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279784#Comment_279784 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:10:10 +0100 owlman At the other end it's easier to fix a snap hook on the line, with an eye on the post to attach it to, rather than tying and untying each time.
P.S. that's how I did something similar, and all the hardware in SS was quite cheap.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279786#Comment_279786 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279786#Comment_279786 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 15:53:39 +0100 djh Posted By: VictorianecoAh I am mistaken in my description
I thought I understood your original description but now I'm not sure.

When I mean pulley system, I mean with cleats and pulleys etc.

Yes, got that much, but what's its purpose?

Is the line too high and needs to be let down to un/load it? Or is it loaded from e.g. a balcony and needs to be pulled around to un/load it? Or something else?

BTW, I'd think a normal steel-cored line would be flexible enough to go around a pulley of a decent diameter and won't stretch much, but do check.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279794#Comment_279794 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279794#Comment_279794 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:24:33 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary Posted By: djhIs the line too high and needs to be let down to un/load it? Or is it loaded from e.g. a balcony and needs to be pulled around to un/load it? Or something else?

An Answer to this question would help in giving a solution.


Posted By: djhBTW, I'd think a normal steel-cored line would be flexible enough to go around a pulley of a decent diameter and won't stretch much, but do check.

The rule of thumb for wire ropes and pulleys is 20 x dia of rope is the minimum pulley size (but bigger if the rope goes more than 90 deg. around the pulley).

A trip to the dinghy chandlers will show all manner of pulleys, shackles cleats etc. all in stainless steel and they will also probably sell kevlar based rope and cordage which will not stretch under load and IMO is better than the plastic coated wire stuff sold for washing lines (no plastic coating to crack off after time in the sun)]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279795#Comment_279795 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279795#Comment_279795 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 20:20:59 +0100 djh Posted By: Cliff PopeI thought the point of a pulley system was so that you could add or remove washing from one end, such as an upstairs window, without having access further down the line. A prop part way along wouldn't work, for obvious reasons.
Sorry, just noticed this. Loading the line from one end doesn't preclude using a prop afterwards.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279797#Comment_279797 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279797#Comment_279797 Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:41:04 +0100 Victorianeco
So lifting it, but also making it easy for the wife to pull up...]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279802#Comment_279802 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279802#Comment_279802 Sat, 11 Apr 2020 01:30:10 +0100 CWatters Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279807#Comment_279807 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279807#Comment_279807 Sat, 11 Apr 2020 10:27:19 +0100 Peter_in_Hungary On the attached diagram a pulley is attached to the end of the washing line and a line passed through this, one end of which is fixed to the wall and the other end is pulled to raise the line and then tied off. The 2:1 ratio works when the line is pulled vertically downwards. If the line is pulled out at an angle the advantage is progressively lost as the angle away from vertical increases.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279809#Comment_279809 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=279809#Comment_279809 Sat, 11 Apr 2020 12:01:02 +0100 WillInAberdeen
We tried having a 'taut' line but it needs way more tension to keep it up, so the line doesn't last so long before it breaks or pulls the fixings out.

We also tried some braided dinghy rope (prestretch polyester much cheaper than Kevlar) but found that grime lurked in the braids and transferred to the clothes. The plastic coated stuff is easier to wipe clean.]]> Post to Wall Pulley Line Washing Line System https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=285553#Comment_285553 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16511&Focus=285553#Comment_285553 Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:02:42 +0000 Dur https://www.marinesuppliesdirect.co.uk/8-plait-pre-stretched-polyester-rope-white-4mm-or-5mm-1532-p.asp if you don't like the plastic coated.
If/when it gets grubby, put it in an old pillowcase tied up with some string and put in the washing machine. Loads strong enough etc.
Don't stress over size of the pulley wheel (sheave) - as long as it is not tiny it will be fine.
Somewhere like https://www.gsproducts.co.uk/pulley/ for pulleys (blocks) maybe]]>