How to Remove a Basketball Pole from A to Z
Basketball is a fun way to spend free time and get some exercise. In fact, that was probably why you put that basketball pole in your backyard to begin with. If you didn’t, then perhaps it came with the house when you originally bought it. In either case, though, the pole might not be seeing the usage that it used to. Whether it’s because the kids grew up or everyone lost interest, that basketball pole just stands there waiting for someone to shoot some hoops, only for those players to never show up. What does this mean? It means it’s time to remove the basketball pole altogether. You might be wondering how to remove a basketball pole, though. Can you do it yourself? The answer: absolutely!
Many basketball poles have a built-in base made out of plastic or metal. If your basketball pole has one of these, then removal will be easy. Some disassembly may be required, but ultimately, you can just bring the pole down without having to bring out any heavy-duty tools. However, how to remove an in-ground basketball pole is a whole other thing. When the pole is stuck within a concrete base, how are you supposed to ever remove it without calling for help? Junk Doctors has the answers, so let’s get into it!
Preparing for Concrete Basketball Pole Removal
So, what if your basketball pole has a concrete base? That’s no problem, because you can still get rid of it with the right tools. We’ve provided a simple list of items to gather before you leap into the removal process. They are as follows:
- Protective Eyeglasses
- Ear Plugs
- Work Gloves
- Standing Ladder
- Wrench
- Shovel
- Helping Hands (Recommended)
- Sledgehammer (Optional)
- Reciprocating Saw (Optional)
Before starting the demolition work, you’re going to want to make sure there are no buried utilities where you’re going to be digging—near the base of the basketball pole. Of course, your everyday person doesn’t know this information off the top of their head. Fortunately, in many places across the country, you can call 811 to connect with your region’s underground service alert. Here, you can receive crucial information about the location of buried utilities in your area, including your own yard! That way, you can plan accordingly for where you can dig and where you cannot.
The Pole
First things first, you can make your life easier by removing the hoop and the board from the top of the pole. This is a simple first step. Just take a standing ladder, climb up there with a wrench, and loosen the nuts and bolts accordingly. With those pieces removed from the pole, taking down the pole itself will be all the easier.
Additionally, there is a choice you can make at this stage. You can either bring the entire pole down as it is, which may require helping hands, or you can use a reciprocating saw to slice the pole into smaller, more manageable pieces. If you elect to slice the pole into pieces, start at the top and work your way down. And, of course, don’t forget to wear protective equipment. This is critical, as you are handling a sharp tool, and pieces of metal may burst from the location that you are cutting at!
The Concrete
It’s time to attend to the concrete base. You’ll want to start by taking your shovel and digging around the base. You won’t reach the bottom of the concrete base until you’re a couple of feet down, so be prepared to dig for a short while. Eventually, though, once you’ve made it to the bottom, you can begin dislodging the base from its position in the soil. Bear in mind that when you rock the pole to either side, it is prone to coming loose at any moment. This is why we recommend bringing helping hands—so they can help you guide the pole gently to the ground.
Having trouble getting the concrete loose? Want to remove the concrete from the pole base so you can use the pole again elsewhere? If so, you can use a sledgehammer to get the job done. A few solid swings will cause it to crumble. Of course, as stated above, don’t forget protective equipment. The process of how to remove a basketball pole is perfectly safe as long as you take the right precautions. Just put your safety first!
Disposing of the Basketball Pole
Now that you’ve brought down the pole, it’s time to dispose of it, provided you didn’t want to reuse it. Chances are, this long pole won’t fit in your collection bin, so you may need to take it to a nearby landfill on your own. However, you could also take it to a recycling facility. After all, most basketball poles are made of perfectly recyclable metal! Just remember that if you didn’t slice up the pole, it may be somewhat difficult to transport. You may be able to fit it in your car if it spans from the trunk to the center console by your front seat. Otherwise, you might need to strap it to the top of your vehicle, or ask someone with a more appropriate vehicle for the job to help.
Now that you’ve been able to remove your own basketball pole, the next step is to figure out what you’re going to do with the new space! Let us know below in the comments how you were able to reclaim your outdoor space.
