Fast-setting concrete mix makes quick work of installing a basketball goal.

Playing basketball is a great way to get some exercise, and installing your own goal means you can shoot hoops whenever you want.

If you can’t wait to hit the ‘court,’ Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete is the speedy solution for setting a strong foundation.

Here’s how to set an in-ground basketball goal.

1. Dig the hole.

post hole digger A post hole digger is the most efficient tool for digging a hole.

First, call 811 to make sure there are no underground utilities where you want the basketball goal. If your goal post comes with a set of instructions for hole depth and width, make sure you follow those guidelines.

Once you get the all-clear, grab a post hole digger and dig a hole — the edge of the hole should be, at most, 6 inches away from your playing surface. A hole that is 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep should give your post the necessary stability it needs for everyday use.
The bottom 6 inches will be used for something other than concrete. (You’ll see why in a second.)

2. Add the base.

GRAVEL Concrete is porous, so it’s important to add a layer of gravel for proper drainage.

Pour 6 inches of gravel or crushed stone into the hole — then use a 2-by-4 to compact and level the base. This creates a strong barrier between the concrete and the ground, ensures proper drainage and prevents the concrete’s erosion.

Tip: If the soil is sandy, use a building form
. The tubular form, made of ridged fiber, is used for pouring cylinder-shaped concrete foundations.

3. Set the post.

Place the basketball pole in the hole and use a level to make sure it’s perfectly vertical. Then pour Fast-Setting Concrete into the hole, just four inches below ground level.

You’ll need those four inches for the next step: pouring water inside the hole to saturate the concrete. Ensure the water reaches the bottom of the concrete by stirring or stabbing the mixture with a stick.

Check the basketball goal’s instructions for any special steps you need to take. We’re pouring concrete around a pole for this how-to, but some in-ground basketball goals require a different installation process.

Either way, the concrete sets hard in 20 to 40 minutes, and you can attach the backboard after four hours — and shoot hoops before the day is done!

basketball goal web Installing an in-ground basketball goal takes no time compared to the countless hours of use that goal will get.
(DepositPhotos)

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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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