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How to Remove a Basketball Hoop

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

An old, unused basketball hoop is not only unsightly; it can also cause accidents or unnecessary blockage in the driveway. Until the basketball hoop is removed, you can’t maximize your outdoor space fully. The good news is, it’s quite possible to remove a basketball hoop on your own. But it will take a lot of work and you’ll need the right tools for it.

Before moving forward with the guide, we recommend having someone to help you remove the basketball hoop to avoid any accident. A basketball pole is very heavy and the project will take longer than it should if you’re working on it alone. Having someone to assist will cut the job in half the time! Below is a step-by-step guide on how to remove a basketball pole from the ground:

You will need:

  • A set of wrenches
  • A metal cutting power saw
  • A shovel
  • Sledgehammer
  • A ladder
  • WD40
  • Leather gloves
  • Protective gears for the eyes

Step 1: Disassembling the Pole

You and your helper will start by disassembling the basketball pole from the top. You can do the disassembling yourself while your helper spots you or vice versa. Get a ladder and climb to the top of the metal basketball pole. Remove the net then using the set of wrenches, start loosening the nuts and bolts that are holding the basketball hoop. After removing the net and hoop, move on to the basketball board. Remove all the pieces that hold up the upper pieces of the board. If a certain nut is stuck or a bolt can’t be turned, spray a little WD40 and then twist vigorously to loosen it.

Step 2: Sawing the Basketball Pole in Half

Once you’ve taken apart the upper fixtures of the basketball pole, it’s time to cut the pole in half. Switch on the metal cutting power saw and cut the pole in the middle. Make sure your helper is holding the upper portion of the pole so it does not fall down on you as you make the cut. Discard the piece of pole then make another cut. You want to keep cutting the pole until the pole is only about a few inches in height from its base. You can use a sledgehammer to knock the poll off and hit it until it breaks.

Step 3: Breaking the Base

Once the pole is cut and removed, you will move onto breaking the base of the pole. Using a sledgehammer, break up the concrete that surrounds the pole. Get a shovel and start removing the broken pieces of concrete. When all the concrete has been broken down and removed, you can fill the hole with soil. You can get soil from your local garden store and plant a tree on the pole site. You may also level the area by adding a layer of concrete.

After you are done with the project, we suggest sending the discarded poles to a recycling plant. Do not leave the broken up metal poles lying around in the yard especially if you have very small children. These broken up pieces are very sharp and may cause an injury.


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