Tips for Winterizing Your Basketball Goal
Basketball is not just a sport, but a way of life for many people. Whether you are practicing for tournaments or hooping just for fun, it’s essential to maintain your basketball hoop to ensure its longevity and proper functionality. As winter approaches, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect your hoop’s base from freezing damage during sub-freezing temperatures. In this blog, we’ll share helpful tips on how to winterize your basketball goal, so that you’re ready to play ball, even in the colder months.
One of the most important tips for winterizing your basketball goal is to add 2 gallons of non-toxic antifreeze to the water in your hoop’s base. This addition will prevent the water from freezing and cracking the base in sub-freezing climates. Please note that non-toxic antifreeze is the only solution that should be added to the water in your base. Substances such as salt can make the liquid corrosive and damage the base. You can find non-toxic antifreeze at your local department store.
Before adding the non-toxic antifreeze, it’s important to check the water level in your hoop’s base. Ensure that there is enough water to mix with the antifreeze and maintain the proper balance. Insufficient water levels can lead to an ineffective mixture and potentially cause damage to your hoop. Therefore, it's important to regularly check the water level until it reaches the required level.
Carefully pour two gallons of non-toxic antifreeze into the water to winterize the base. Make sure you use non-toxic antifreeze that is environmentally friendly and safe for any pets or wildlife that may come into contact with it.
After adding non-toxic antifreeze, remember to periodically check the water level before each use. Maintaining an optimal level of water and non-toxic antifreeze mixture in your hoop’s base will not only prolong the life of your hoop but also ensure your safety on the court. This will also help ensure your hoop remains properly ballasted, keeping it in the upright position.
Playing basketball doesn't stop when temperatures start to drop. By following these guidelines and regularly checking the water level, you can effectively protect your hoop’s base from freezing in sub-freezing climates. This will help maintain the functionality and longevity of your basketball hoop, preventing any potential damage or disruptions caused by freezing temperatures. Play on!
If you’re looking for a new hoop, check out our most popular portable units.
How To Protect Your Basketball Hoop in the Winter
Do you have an outdoor basketball hoop? Outdoor hoops can be a great investment — getting kids involved in a fun, healthy hobby that’s great for physical development.
As with any outdoor activity, however, play is often subject to weather conditions. As colder months approach, you may be wondering, “How do I protect my basketball hoop in the winter?”
That all depends on what kind of outdoor basketball hoop you have. While in-ground hoops usually don’t need much winterization at all, portable hoops require special consideration — as they often contain water in the base. It’s also important to store your portable hoop in a strategic area for maximum protection.
Here are some tips on winterizing outdoor basketball hoops:
Winterizing Portable Hoops
Can portable basketball hoops be left outside during the winter? Absolutely! All outdoor hoops are made to withstand harsh elements. That being said, there are a few precautions to take before the temperature drops and the snow piles up.
Prepare the Base for Freezing Conditions
Portable hoops are designed with large, tank-like bases meant to hold water or sand. When filled, the base holds a lot of weight, keeping your basketball hoop planted on the ground. During winterization, it’s important to know what material is contained in your hoop’s base.
Water will freeze in frigid conditions, expanding up to 9% in the process. During the winter months, your base should contain no more than 75% of its capacity in water. This will leave more than enough room for the ice to expand without damaging your base.
As an alternative, it’s also possible to add around 2 gallons of non-toxic antifreeze to your base, making sure the mixture fills the tank completely. This will give you the right balance of water and non-toxic antifreeze, preventing any freezing and subsequent expansion.
Sand is unaffected by freezing conditions. If your base contains sand instead of water, it’s already prepared to take on winter.
If you plan on having your portable basketball hoop for a long time, filling it with sand may be worth it — saving you time and effort every year in the winterization process.
Move Your Hoop Out of Harm’s Way
A lot of people keep their portable basketball hoops alongside their driveway or on the edge of the curb during warmer months. While this is often ideal for play, it’s not a good idea for winter — especially in snowy areas. With snow plows and snow blowers clearing large amounts of heavy snow, there’s the potential for hoops to get knocked over, damaged and buried in snowbanks.
Ideally, you should find shelter for your hoop, placing it in a garage, barn, shed, or under an overhang. This is made easier by adjusting the height to the lowest possible setting, often around seven and a half feet.
If you’re not able to find shelter for your hoop, don’t worry. It should be able to survive winter weather without any issues — as long as it’s lowered to its shortest setting and out of harm’s way.
Use a Tarp and Bungees
If you want to take winterizing to the next level, you can wrap your hoop in a tarp so it’s protected from ice, snow or other precipitation.
To do this, first make sure the hoop is at its lowest setting. This will not only make the process easier, but protect the hoop from blowing over in the wind. Drape a tarp over the top of the backboard, then start bunching the corners together over the pole. Take several bungee cords and secure the tarp into place.
Once the tarp is secured, your hoop will be ready for its winter hibernation.
Winterizing In-ground Hoops
In-ground outdoor basketball hoops offer a distinct advantage over portable ones — they’re firmly planted into the ground. This makes them rugged enough to withstand the snow from plows or snow blowers, although you should still exercise caution around your hoop.
To prepare your in-ground hoop for winter, simply lower it to its shortest setting. This makes it less susceptible to winter winds, which can get fairly severe at times without leaves or foliage to block air currents.
Much like portable hoops, it’s possible to cover in-ground hoops using a tarp and bungee system. This may be a good idea if you’re at all concerned about hitting the backboard with snow while shoveling or snowblowing.
