21:46
Faizan
Give your family hours of healthy basketball enjoyment by replacing that old basketball pole wilting away on the side of your driveway or in your backyard. Follow these steps to do it safely and properly.
Remove the backboard and rim if they're still attached to the pole. You'll need a socket wrench to remove the screws that hold them in place. You will need help to do this because of the weight and bulk of the backboard. Don't try to remove the old pole with the backboard still attached.
Determine if the pole is cemented into the ground by digging around the edge of it, if the cement isn't visible. Your shovel should strike cement fairly quickly. If the pole is not cemented, skip to Step 4.
Dig about two feet down on the side of the pole that is parallel to the driveway or playing surface. Do not dig in the direction of the playing surface because this could damage the area.
Attach a strong tow chain to a truck or backhoe and wrap the chain around the pole. Make certain the chain is considerably longer than the pole so that when the pole falls, it will land short of your vehicle.
Pull the chain in the same direction of the hole you dug in step 3, and the pole and concrete will come out of the ground rather easily. Dispose of the pole in the appropriate manner for your municipality.
Installing the New Pole
Measure the depth and width of the hole that is left after removing the old pole. If needed, dig to make that hole about three feet deep and three times wider than the pole to be installed. If the hole is too large, use existing dirt to fill it until you have the required depth and width.
Pour the gravel into the hole to a depth of six inches. This will help with stability and water drainage.
Place the pole in the center of the hole. Use your level to ensure that it is as straight as possible.
Pour ready-mix concrete into the rest of the hole, stopping three inches from the top of the hole. Once again, level the pole and ensure it is perfectly straight.
Add water to the hole at a rate of 1 gallon per 50-pound bag of concrete used. Make certain you level the pole one last time to ensure that it is straight before the concrete sets. Fill in the rest of the hole with dirt.
Remove the backboard and rim if they're still attached to the pole. You'll need a socket wrench to remove the screws that hold them in place. You will need help to do this because of the weight and bulk of the backboard. Don't try to remove the old pole with the backboard still attached.
Determine if the pole is cemented into the ground by digging around the edge of it, if the cement isn't visible. Your shovel should strike cement fairly quickly. If the pole is not cemented, skip to Step 4.
Dig about two feet down on the side of the pole that is parallel to the driveway or playing surface. Do not dig in the direction of the playing surface because this could damage the area.
Attach a strong tow chain to a truck or backhoe and wrap the chain around the pole. Make certain the chain is considerably longer than the pole so that when the pole falls, it will land short of your vehicle.
Pull the chain in the same direction of the hole you dug in step 3, and the pole and concrete will come out of the ground rather easily. Dispose of the pole in the appropriate manner for your municipality.
Installing the New Pole
Measure the depth and width of the hole that is left after removing the old pole. If needed, dig to make that hole about three feet deep and three times wider than the pole to be installed. If the hole is too large, use existing dirt to fill it until you have the required depth and width.
Pour the gravel into the hole to a depth of six inches. This will help with stability and water drainage.
Place the pole in the center of the hole. Use your level to ensure that it is as straight as possible.
Pour ready-mix concrete into the rest of the hole, stopping three inches from the top of the hole. Once again, level the pole and ensure it is perfectly straight.
Add water to the hole at a rate of 1 gallon per 50-pound bag of concrete used. Make certain you level the pole one last time to ensure that it is straight before the concrete sets. Fill in the rest of the hole with dirt.
