Things happen to basketball backboards that require a timeout for repairs. Carriage bolts that mount the hoop to the backboard might come loose and need tightening. Backboards mounted above driveways and on the edge of a roof are subject to damage or need maintenance. Rain can damage the edges of plywood backboards that are mounted outside. In some cases, repairs can be made with the board in place. Short of replacing the backboard, most minor repairs can be done with a minimum of materials and a few basic hand tools.
Step 1
Repair a damaged backboard with plywood backing. Use the circular saw and cut a piece of 5/8-inch exterior grade plywood to attach to the backside of the board. The piece should cover the damaged section and overlap the sound portion of the backboard at least 8 inches.
Step 2
Drill 1/16-inch pilot holes in the face of the backboard for wood screws. Straighten the face of the backboard as much as possible. Hold the plywood backing in place and drive wood screws through the face of the backboard with a cordless screw gun to draw the backing tightly against the back of the backboard.
Step 3
Use a socket with a ratchet and tighten the existing lag bolts that hold the backboard mount to the roof. Cut a piece of 2-inch-by-4-inch utility lumber at a length that's equal to the width of the mount. Drill 1/16-inch pilot holes across the face of the backboard, about 2 inches below the top edge. Attach the piece at the back of the backboard using wood screws and the cordless screw gun.
Step 4
Measure and cut two pieces of 2-inch-by-4-inch utility lumber as angle braces that span from the top of the backboard to the roof mount. Drill 3/16-inch pilot holes at the ends of each angle brace for lag bolts. Use the socket and ratchet to start 1/4-inch lag bolts with washers into each pilot hole. Set the angle braces in place and screw the lag bolts into the ends of the top piece and the sides of the roof mount using the socket and ratchet.
Step 5
Use the hacksaw and cut four pieces of 1/16-inch thick aluminum channel the length of the sides, top and bottom of the plywood backboard as edge banding. Make 45-degree cuts at the ends so the pieces clip over the edges and fit together at the corners. Clip the top piece of channel in place and use 1/4-inch long self-tapping screws and the cordless screw gun to attach the piece to the backside of the backboard. Repeat this for the remaining pieces to complete the edge banding.
Things You'll Need
- 5/8-inch exterior grade plywood
- Circular saw
- Flat head wood screws
- 1/16-inch drill bit
- Cordless screw gun
- 2-inch-by-4-inch utility lumber
- 3/16-inch lag bolts with washers
- Electric drill
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- Socket and ratchet
- 1/16-inch thick aluminum channel, 1-inch-by-3/4-inch-by-1-inch
- 1/2-inch long self-tapping metal screws
- Hacksaw
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