So the base to my kids' portable basketball hoop has cracked. It's one of those Spalding hoops that you fill the base with water so that it doesn't tip over. I have looked on the Spalding website to see if I can buy a replacement but I cannot find one there.

Any ideas on how to fix this? It's on a horizontal seam. I was thinking I might just be able to fill it with concrete instead of water. I think that I might be able to use from the outside to seal the crack would be easier and would make me happy.

Any of had to fix one of these before?

JB weld

Not sure how big of a crack you are talking about. I used 3m 5200 on my Jon boat to seal things. It's permanent and waterproof. It's the real deal.

That being said, I have seen many filled with sand.

Is it made of high density polyethylene (HDPE)? Look for the recycling triangle on it and see it is a 2.

If so you can use heat to weld the crack shut. I was looking to repair a kayak recently, and that was how they do it. You might even be able to do it with a hair dryer, but it may take a while. Small propane torch might be needed but be careful not to overheat.

Do a YouTube search for patching plastic kayaks.

I've never had a portable basketball hoop that wasn't a piece of junk. Wish I'd just put the $100 towards an in-ground one instead of throwing the portable one away after 6 months.

Where are you located?

NW Houston.

Burdizzo, I have a heat gun for crafting. It gets way hotter than a blow dryer.

Incidentally, I discovered that when used with extreme caution you can use the hot air gun make the white water rings on wood furniture go away without damaging the finish. MUST use extreme caution if you don't want to damage the finish.

You can use cut up sections of milk jug as a patch when you heat weld it.

angryocotillo said:

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You can use cut up sections of milk jug as a patch when you heat weld it.

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GREAT idea.

Because I'm lazy, I tried the flex seal tape. It would have worked if the tape didn't have creases in it every few inches or so. I don't get good at adhesion where the little folds are and its drippong VERY slowly at those spots.

We had the same thing happen once. Called the manufacturer, and they sent us a new base at no cost. You may want to try that.

I'm located in NW Houston - Cypress.
I've got a "portable" basketball hoop base - full of sand - it's yours.
Come pick it up.

The base is good - it's on "wheels" - can be moved.
Pole is good - Adjustable
Backboard is cracked.

PM me if you're interest - SW '86

Just tape and fill with sand. Sand isn't gonna leak like water.

This is it: https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2old-16-oz-base-gel?campid=71700000057441097&adgroupid=58700005319780061&device=m&keyword=92700056275561661&Channel=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7ZL6BRCmARIsAH6XFDKzqoiS4FnTrego4dtvQQAkf9iVzy19jEAjfHSGkgcFZht9bKvjXp0aAvl5EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

It works great.

When fixed secure it to the ground with a ratchet strap and ground anchors. That's what I do and it's been through some serious weather. Rock solid.

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Wish I'd just put the $100 towards an in-ground one instead of throwing the portable one away after 6 months.

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I think you left a zero off....