How To Remove A basketball Pole

Having a basketball hoop in your backyard would be a dream for a basketball lover. So you can play basketball whenever you want. But if you’re no longer using your basketball hoop or shifting to another area, you may need to remove the basketball pole.

The amount of work depends on the type of basketball hoop whether it’s a portable or fixed one. If the pole is fixed, you got plenty of hard work to remove it from the ground. Because, unlike portable hoops, fixed basketball hoops fixed by setting them up into the ground while the concrete is still wet. After the concrete dries out, the pole will adhere to its place.

It seems impossible to remove in-ground poles but actually, it is not. In fact, it only requires some extra labor (family or friends) and simple tools to get the work done.

Portable basketball hoops are easy to remove as they have their own base attached to the pole to give support to it. They can be transferred easily while shifting as compared to fixed poles.

My Personal Experience:

In my first house, I had a great basketball hoop in my backyard. Then I got a job shift and I have to move to another city. I wanted to take that hoop with me to my new house. The method I will describe is the one I personally used to remove the basketball pole out from the ground.

In my opinion, the method I will describe below is the easiest, safest, and require lesser gadgets comparatively for fixed basketball poles.

Gadgets you’ll need to remove the Basketball Pole:

Following is the list of things you may require to remove the basketball pole:

1. First of all, you’ll need the local utility company’s telephone number if you have in-ground utilities.
2. Some helpers to assist you in digging the ground and safely bring the pole to the ground.
3. The Shovel.
4. Safety goggles.
5. Sledgehammer – to dismantle the former concrete from the pool.

How to Remove a Basketball Pole in 7 Easy Steps

Following are some simple steps for removing an in-ground basketball pole. Do not forget that these basketball poles can be too heavy to carry by a single person. So you would need some extra helpers that will assist you in removing the pole. Always be careful and ensure that the area around the pole is clear.

From my personal experience, the following method is one of the best and easy methods to remove basketball poles. You do not need heavy machineries like a jackhammer or bulldozer, but it is a bit of time taking method and requires some DIY techniques. Also, it is the safest method.

Before removing the basketball pole, you should remove the backboard and rim of the pole. It will be easier to bring the pole down and prevent any damage to the rim and backboard. For removing the backboard, you may need some assistance in detaching it and to bring it down safely.

Step 1: Look Out For Any In-Ground Utilities.

While digging, it is very important to make sure that you do not damage any in-ground utilities like internet, electricity, and sewerage around the area. Many local utility companies are providing free services for detecting in-ground utilities.

If you have any doubt about in-ground utilities near your working area, you can ask to mark them from your local utility company before you start digging.

Step 2: Clear The Concerned Area.

Make sure to clear the area around the basketball pole. Before you start digging, make sure to cut out the grass and get rid of the debris that may cause hindrance to your even movements.

Move any vehicle or anything that is inside the concerned area to prevent them from damage. Also, inform people to stay away from the area around the pole to ensure safety.

Step 3: Start Digging

Now you can start digging from each side of the basketball pole. Be careful while digging. Do not rush and dig slowly as you do not want to risk your health. Dig-in in several spells and take rest in between as you move along to prevent yourself from exhaustion.

Step 4: Dig to the Base of the Pole

The base of the pole must be at least 2-2.5 feet beneath the surface. Keep digging holes up around the pole until you reach the base of the pole and concrete.

Step 5: Push the Pole backward and forwards

Start pushing the pole backward and forwards where you dug the holes with the assistance of your helpers to loosen it up. Be cautious as it may fall down on one side or other while pushing it.

Step 6: Walk the Pole down to the ground

Once the pole loosens enough to fall down, with your helpers you can push the pole to a new destination. This needs pulling of the pole on the ground from the place it emitted to the new place where it needs to be inserted.

Step 7: Cut off the concrete (optional)

Removing the pole is done but if you want to relocate it, you need to cut off the concrete from the base of the pole. Grab your sledgehammer and hammer the cement block on the base of the pole to crack it down and remove it from the pole. Be careful and wear your safety goggles as the debris will fly around.

Additional Resources:

Another method to pull the pole down is to tie the tow rope to the truck and pull the pole out of the ground. This method is faster than the one I described above but it could be risky as a pole may fall on your truck.

The following video will show you how it can be done.

In case you’re not going to use the pole again there is another easier option to cut the pole off with a reciprocating saw. Cut the pole off 4 or 5 feet from the ground. This needs some heavy metal cutting so be careful while handling a power tool. Make sure the area is clear so when you cut the pole, nothing gets hit when the pole falls down.

Final Words:

Removing a basketball pole can be tough but you can do this with the help of some family members or friends. Always be careful, make sure the area is clear and make sure you have assistance because this task cannot be handled single-handedly. Once you removed the basketball pole, you can move it to your new space and put it into the ground to enjoy basketball again.

 

FAQs:

1) How to cut a metal basketball pole?

5 steps to cut a metal basketball pole:

• Take a carbide blade and attach it with your saw.
• Draw a line on the pole with the help of a chisel for your cut.
• Keep the pole steady by making someone hold the pole straight. Make sure to wear safety gear.
• A Circular saw is suggested over a hacksaw as it takes less time and effort. To cut the pole down, press the saw trigger and push it down tightly, slowly, and evenly into the pole.
• Even the cut edges by using a coarse file, fine file, and sandpaper.

2)What do you do with old basketball poles?

If your basketball pole is old and you don’t use it to play basketball, maybe you don’t need to remove it at all. Take the hoop and rim off of the pole and use it as a flag pole, clothes line post, or hang yard light.

3)Should I fill my basketball pole with concrete?

Filling the basketball pole with concrete only works when you filled the ground surrounding your pole. You have to regurgitate enough in surrounding your pole to make it work.

4)How do you fix a bent basketball pole?

If the basketball pole is slightly bent it can be fixed easily. But if the bent is more than a little, then the metal is pretty short. You can torch it off but keep in mind you would lose about five to six inches of height.

Or you can put a chain around it and attach it to your car or truck and try to re-straighten it up. But it permanently weakened the bottom permanently.