How to patch a basketball

A Fix for All Common Issues that Basketballs Face

Contents

• 1 The most common problems of basketballs
• 2 A hole in the basketball
  • 2.1 How do you locate a hole in a basketball?
  • 2.2 How do you patch a hole in a basketball?
  • 2.3 The best ball repair sealant
• 3 The basketball valve is loosing air
  • 3.1 How do you confirm that the basketball valve does not hold air?
  • 3.2 How do you repair a basketball valve that is loosing air?
  • 3.3 What to do if a basketball has slippery surface?
  • 3.4 Can you repair a basketball with lumps?
• 4 The top tools to repair a basketball
  • 4.1 basketball repair kit: Sports Ball Leak And Flat Fix-Repair Kit
  • 4.2 basketball repair sealant: Unique Sports Ball Doctor (Quart)
  • 4.3 basketball valve repair kit: MINDCOLLISION Basketball Valve Replacement Kit
• 5 If the ball is too damaged, you may need to purchase a new one
• 6 FAQs
  • 6. 1 Can you fix a punctured basketball?
  • 6.2 How do you fix a broken basketball?

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sinking a shot from downtown and hearing the net ripple. But what do you do when your basketball starts to act up? In this blog post, we will walk you through how to repair a basketball. We’ll cover all the common issues that basketballs face, and how to fix them yourself!

The most common problems of basketballs

In most cases, all you need is a patch or a needle and some thread or glue. However, there are a few other tools that can come in handy. Here are the most common issues that basketballs face, and how to fix them:

• a hole in the basketball
• the basketball valve is loosing air
• damaged / slippery surface
• deformed basketball shape
  

A hole in the basketball

How do you locate a hole in a basketball?

First of all, you need to find where the hole is. The most obvious way is to submerge the ball in water and locate the point where small air bubbles are coming out.

Because it is natural that small bubbles of air will exist in many of the ball pores, use your palm to pass it around the ball surface to make them go away faster. Be patient and after the residual air of the surface pores goes away, it will be pretty obvious where the actual leak on your ball is. It is the spot where bubbles keep coming out.

Next step is to use something sharp, like a dull knife or better a colored marker to make a small circle around the spot where the hole is. Trust me, I have repaired a lot of basketballs in my career, and while you might think that this is not required, it is actually very important if you do not want to repeat the process from the beginning and loose your patience!

How do you patch a hole in a basketball?

There are a few different ways that you can patch a hole in a basketball. First of all, if you have a punctured ball with a small hole, you can try to melt the ball’s surrounding surface a bit, so that it gets sealed “naturally”. Of course this method can only used for a rubber ball and not on modern leather basketballs.

You can use a hot knife to achieve a hot melt of the outer surface at the point where it is leaking air. Better use a dull knife for this procedure, as you do not want to create more damage to the ball. Use the hot knife to melt some of the surrounding rubber and move it over the hole.

After you believe that you have had the hole shut, wait for some time until the rubber gets cold and then try again. Bounce the ball vigorously and then submerge it into water to check if the leak persists.

If the above failed or you have a leaking basketball that is made out of leather, you may try our next method which is to use an adhesive patch. These patches come in a variety of sizes, so you will need to select one that is slightly larger than the hole.

Usually patches come as a part of a repair kit. These kits come with everything you need to patch a hole, including adhesive patches, glue or ball repair sealant and instructions. Repair kits are readily available at most sporting goods stores.

The best ball repair sealant

One of the most effective solutions to fix both rubber balls and composite leather basketballs, is the Unique Sports Ball Doctor. It is basically a formula that you insert into the ball with a syringe. Then you inflate the ball properly and bounce ball vigorously for several minutes, so that the formula spreads alla over the ball’s inner bladder. This way it covers all the surface and is able to seal properly any leaking basketball.

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The basketball valve is loosing air

How do you confirm that the basketball valve does not hold air?

The simplest way to do this is to submerge the ball in enough still water. If you can see small air bubbles escaping from the valve, then the valve is not holding air.

How do you repair a basketball valve that is loosing air?

First of all you can try the “toothpick method”. It is probably the cheapest and most accessible way to fix your leaking basketball valve, because it does not require the purchase of anything (as long as you have a toothpick in your home.

First step is to make sure that the leaking basketball valve hole is clean. For this purpose, you will use a wet inflating needle and you you put it in the valve hole several times in and out to clean the dirt from the valve. Do not spare effort on this, you want to make sure that nothing stands inside the ball’s valve hole to make the valve leak.

Then take the inflator needle out of the ball’s valve hole and put the toothpick in it. Break off the end of the toothpick, leaving the valve plugged. The toothpick can act as a sealant and repair the damaged valve.

A leaking basketball valve cannot always be fixed with the toothpick method. If it fails, your next option is to try and replace the valve with a new valve. There is a great valve replacement kit on Amazon, that will help you insert a new valve into the ball’s bladder.

The process can be very effective for most basketballs, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions:

1. First you use one of the supplied crochets to pull the damaged valve outside
2. The you simply insert the new valve that comes with the set
3. You push it a deep a you possibly can to insert it at the maximum level in the ball
4. You use a pair of diagonial pliers to cut of any excessive length of the new valve

If the valve leaks after the above, you may need to repeat the process once more.

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What to do if a basketball has slippery surface?

A slippery surface on an outdoor basketball can be caused by a number of things, including water, sweat, or dirt. If the surface is damaged, you may need to replace the ball. However, if the surface is simply dirty or wet, you can clean it yourself. Simply dampen a cloth and wipe the ball clean. Be sure to dry the ball completely before using it again.

If we are talking about an indoor leather basketball, then a leather conditioner can be used to to keep the surface material flexible, pliable, and new looking..

Apply a little amount of conditioner to a clean cloth and work it into the ball in a circular motion. Allow the conditioner to sit for at least 15 minutes before removing any excess with a towel.

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Can you repair a basketball with lumps?

Most people think that you can only repair a basketball if it has a hole in it, but that’s not true! You can actually repair a basketball with lumps or deformed shape, too.

Basketballs often develop lumps and unevenness over time, especially if they are frequently used on rough surfaces. Although it may seem like the ball is beyond repair, there are a few simple steps that can help to restore its original shape.

First, you’ll need to deflate the ball and remove any air from it. Then pump it up again but this time to an air pressure level lower than the previous one. Some air lumps are caused by excessive air pressure inside the ball and will simply go away when the pressure is made right.

If the above did not work, try running the ball under warm water for a few minutes. This will help to soften the rubber and make it more pliable. Next, use your hands to massage the lumpy areas, working the rubber back and forth until it is smooth. Finally, let the ball dry completely before using it again. With a little bit of patience, you can easily repair a basketball with lumps.

The top tools to repair a basketball

basketball repair kit: Sports Ball Leak And Flat Fix-Repair Kit

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basketball repair sealant: Unique Sports Ball Doctor (Quart)

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basketball valve repair kit: MINDCOLLISION Basketball Valve Replacement Kit

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If the ball is too damaged, you may need to purchase a new one

Finally, if the hole in your basketball is large, the surface is fully damaged or the valve leak irreperable, you may need to replace the entire ball. Fortunately, in your website you may find great suggestions to get a brand new ball. With a little bit of effort, you can have your basketball back up and shooting like new in no time!

FAQs

Can you fix a punctured basketball?

Yes, you can fix a punctured basketball by either melting the surrounding surface, using an adhesive patch or a ball repair sealant kit

How do you fix a broken basketball?

A broken basketball can be fixed by using a ball repair kit, that will seal any open holes in it. You may also change the ball’s valve or use melt around a punctured spot to seal it.

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Austin

I am a passionate basketball player and coach who has played at the semi-pro level overseas. I'm also a huge fan of the game and love to watch it.

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How To Fix A Basketball That Won’t Hold Air – Get Hyped Sports

Every single basketball will eventually start leaking in some way, whether you want it to or not, with even the best cared for balls becoming a problem. It’s essential to know how your basketball can leak and what you may stop the air from escaping.

Your basketball may have dirt, or something else stuck in the valve that needs to be cleaned out to help it seal properly. If you have a small leak, you can melt the hole shut with a hot melt, patch it with a kit, or you may have to resow the seam that has been broken and needs to be resealed.

You must understand just how your basketball can suddenly start leaking air when you least expect it. Many things can cause this issue, and people have made the mistake of disposing valuable balls that can be fixed within a few minutes.

Why Would a Basketball Keep Losing Air?

Three things can cause your basketball to leak, each one of them usually being fixable with just a bit of patience. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the potential causes of basketball leaks, as this will ensure that you know what you need to fix them.

Focusing on these three will allow you to comfortably have your favorite ball for a lot longer, with most leather balls fixable until their last puff of air. You must ensure that you know how to fix and identify the most common ways to damage a basketball.

Valve Leak

Oddly enough, a valve leak or damage is most familiar with the basketballs cared for the most, as the valve becomes damaged because it is often used.

The valve will often be damaged because the needle is wrong, dirt is stuck in the valve or aging.

Most people often rule out valve leaks as they assume the valves will not be damaged no matter how many times they pump the basketball. However, it takes one needle accidentally dropped to entirely ruin a valve as the valves are made of plastic.

Small Holes

A leather basketball is not so likely to suffer from small holes as they use an internal bladder system, and when pumped to the correct pressure, it will not be damaged.

However, most other basketballs can quickly develop tiny holes that must be patched or fixed.

Rubber basketballs have no internal bladder, with composite basketballs differing from manufacturer to manufacturer. These holes can be made by anything from overinflating to having the ball roll or bounce onto something small and sharp, making these the most common problems.

Seam Leaks

Rubber basketballs and composite basketballs do not have seams as they are one solid piece of material containing the air, making seam leaks unlikely. However, select composite basketballs and all leather balls seam leaks can cause damage to the bladder, causing leaks.

Seam leaks are natural for all balls made using the bladder system as the materials stretch and change over time. This means that the seams start to open, and the soft, sensitive internal rubber bladder can be damaged by the seams themselves or by sand stuck inside the ball.

How To Fix Each Type Of Leak

Now that you know the most common types of leaks for your basketball, you need to know how to fix them. However, depending on how the ball is damaged, the required work to fix the ball will be different, with the type of ball creating further confusion.

A few things cannot be fixed, with holes large enough to put your finger through, meaning that the ball needs to be replaced. Repairing the ball properly will easily and comfortably have you enjoy the ball for a lot longer than the manufacturer expected.

Fixing a valve leak

This is the most touch-and-go type of leak you can find with your basketball, whether a leather ball or a rubber ball. You need to ensure that you can do everything that may need to be done to your valve before attempting to fix them.

Generally, we recommend not trying to fix a valve that is holding no air at all; once you remove the needle, the valve lets all the air out, you have to consider replacing it. Knowing when this will happen is important and how to fix the ball otherwise is what will help your ball last forever.

• Wet needle: This is the repair that you should always hope works, get some soapy water, and dip the needle into the water. Insert and remove the needle multiple times from the valve; this cleans out any dirt or debris stuck inside the valve that stops it from closing.
• Inset Toothpick: A temporary fix that should only be done if you have no other choice is to insert a needle to plug the basketball. If the valve has been broken entirely and cannot block the air, you can insert a toothpick and break it off flush with the valve.
• Replace Valve: This will require a unique tool and is only ever worth doing with a leather basketball. The valves can be replaced without breaking the ball’s seams or removing the bladder; with a new valve, most balls will be perfectly usable for another few games. Here are some great replacements on Amazon that we found.

See Our Complete List Of Helpful Basketball Articles Here.

Fixing a Hole

Leather balls rarely, if ever, get a hole as the materials are stronger than their rubber counterparts, with only needles or thorns pressed into them easily breaking through. If your ball is overinflated, it will be more prone to developing these holes, whether they’re leather or rubber.

To fix a small hole causing the ball to lose air slowly, you must identify whether the ball has an internal bladder. Most rubber basketballs do not have bladders inside; composite balls may or may not have an internal bladder, while all leather balls have bladders.

• Patching Kit: Basketball patching kits consist of a needle inserted into the area where the hole is and a liquid inserted. This liquid is sucked out of the hole and then hardens, sealing the hole and keeping the air inside; this only works on rubber balls. Here is an example of a patching kit.
• Hot Knife: Using a hot knife will not work on all rubber basketballs, will not work on leather, but will quickly seal a vinyl basketball. These basketballs look similar to others, but you can easily seal most small holes on a basketball with only a hot, blunt knife.
• Replace Bladder: We recommend doing this every few years anyway as the bladder will be damaged and deformed as the ball is used. Replacing leather or composite basketball bladder requires a few special tools that you may not want to buy, but you can send the ball away to have it done.

Repairing The Seam

We don’t recommend you attempt when you have a composite or rubber ball as the cost and time needed to do it are overwhelming. Rubber balls do not have seams to start with, just seam lines, while composite balls are not much more expensive than redoing the seam.

You will require more than just a needle and thread, which many people assume you need; you will also require the sealant. The seams on modern leather basketballs are hidden by the black lines that crisscross the entire ball; these give the balls their iconic look.

We highly recommend that you send the ball to a professional to have this done; not only will they be able to test the health of your bladder, but they can also reseal everything as well. The threading and stitching required to repair a seam are tight and need stronger thread than usual.

Conclusion

Your basketball can have multiple reasons that it will be leaking air out of it at a steady pace, with most people assuming it’s easy to fix. Knowing how to and when to repair your basketball will allow you to enjoy the basketball for a lot longer.

Whatever you do, please don’t try to fix a basketball that has any cut in it larger than a few inches!

Basketball - features of different types, rating of the best manufacturers, how to stick the ball?

Basketball is one of the most popular games on all continents, both among men and women. She has not lost her fans for many years, winning the hearts of young athletes every day. A basketball is an important piece of equipment that no player can do without.

What does a basketball look like?

According to its external data, it does not differ much from other species. It has a spherical shape and rich orange color, and the weight of the basketball is greater than that of products for other games. Color has its own history. Initially, in the 50s, the products were a rich dark brown, but Butler University coach Paul Hinkle was not happy with this decision, he insisted that the color be bright and noticeable to both players and fans.

In 1958 he teamed up with Spalding to develop an orange ball and show it off at the Student League final. Since that moment, the color has been included in the rules of professional sports. However, over time, everything changes, and global brands offer our attention a different color of a basketball: brown, black, multi-colored, and so on.

Types of basketballs

A quality product can be determined by various factors. One of the most important criteria is its direct purpose. In the professional basketball world, there are three main groups into which balls are divided:

1. Used indoors - Indoor;
2. Universal options – Indoor/Outdoor.
3. For outdoor games - Outdoor;

Manufacturers make sports play models designed for certain genders and ages, such as children's basketballs, which are smaller and lighter. All original equipment has its own unique marking that determines the type of playground and the degree of rigidity.

Basketball Indoor

This type is equipment that is intended only for indoor sports fields. A basketball for the hall is a professional equipment that can be created from leather, natural, synthetic or composite material. Distinguished by its ease of use and surface.

If you use a professional basketball on the street, it instantly wears out and becomes unusable. On the first trials, new models can stick to the hands of the player, so it takes time for the sports equipment to acquire the desired qualities. Proper care and application will help preserve the main features for many years.

Indoor/Outdoor basketball

The second type are universal models that can be used both indoors and outdoors. Most often, a universal basketball is used by amateur athletes and professional players during training. The material of universal inventory in most cases is rubber or synthetic leather, which has an average cost. The balls are distinguished by their resistance to wear and tear and perform well both on parquet floors and outdoors.

Outdoor Basketball

Models in this category are produced exclusively for outdoor games. It can be a sports ground with sand or asphalt. Often, an outdoor basketball can be rubber or synthetic, so it is distinguished by its wear resistance and durability. The difference between street options is that they have increased grip on hard and uneven surfaces, which increases the likelihood of control during the game. They are rarely made of genuine leather, because they quickly lose their main features on outdoor surfaces.

Luminous basketball

This type of equipment is very popular among players, because it can glow without an electric charge, and it accumulates energy from daylight and emits it in the form of an independent glow. The features of the basketball include its water resistance, dense pressed rubber, on which the luminous paint with heat treatment is fixed. It accepts both artificial and natural light sources as a charge. The strongest source is sunlight, even with a short charge.

How to choose a basketball?

The market provides a large selection of inventory, among which it is difficult to find a really high-quality and durable model. In order to choose a good basketball ball, you should pay attention to some of its features, so as not to run into trouble in the end.

1. Take into account the inflation of the ball, the deflection of which should be no more than 3-5 cm when pressed hard. Improper inflation will cause the diameter of the basketball to change, it will lose its original shape and bulges will appear.
2. A well-inflated accessory has a clear vertical bounce. Its unevenness may indicate a curved geometry and the presence of a hernia.
3. The shape must be round. The best basketballs have even, well-finished seams, without any defects or tears in the outer layer.

In the process of operation, low-quality models will show their shortcomings. Naturally, even a high-quality basketball will need to be pumped up over time. If you purchase a model from a good manufacturer, then there will always be a special nozzle for a car pump in the kit.

What is a basketball made of?

How high quality and good a model is, says the material from which it is created. For basketballs used:

1. Rubber . Products made of rubber are ideal for playing on outdoor surfaces. Their main advantage is an acceptable cost.
2. Synthetic leather . Models of this type are of better quality than rubber products.
3. Composite leather is made from leather parts and fibers, after which the material can be pressed or glued.
4. Leather Basketballs are recognized as the best accessories for professional games, which are used on the world's playgrounds. Can only be used in gyms.

Basketball size

Manufacturers now produce models in certain standards and sizes. A professional basketball has three main sizes.

1. No5 is the smallest size for children.
2. No6 - is the average option for children under 16 years old or for the WNBA women's league.
3. No7 - the standard version for adult play. The diameter of a basketball with this size is 9-9.5 inches, and its weight by standards should not exceed 20-22 ounces (500 g).

Basketball rating

Naturally, only global manufacturers who have proven themselves in the market are able to offer high-quality models. To date, five of the best manufacturing companies are distinguished, whose products can be found on professional sites around the world.

1. Spalding is a brand that never goes out of fashion. Basketballs of this manufacturer are chosen by professional NBA athletes.
2. Molten are the official balls used by participants in the Olympic Games.
3. Nike . The Nike basketball has become the hallmark of streetball.
4. Wilson is a basketball company that offers great value for money.
5. Jogel is a low-cost version of basketballs that is not inferior in its reliability and convenience.

Basketball bag

The key equipment in the game is the most inconvenient thing in the process of transportation. A basketball bag has hidden features that not every athlete knows about. It is not only an excellent tool for transporting balls, but also serves as protection against external influences: moisture, dampness and dust. There are different options on the market: bags for one or more basketballs, protective cases or nets. The choice directly depends on the preferences of the user.

What is the correct way to throw a basketball?

There is no universal and ideal technique for throwing, however, world athletes revealed their secret of success and identified certain rules:

1. Leg position. For better coordination, feet are shoulder-length apart with the throwing foot in front. Knees bent, heels slightly off the floor.
2. The head is exactly in the center of the torso for accuracy.
3. Throwing arm must be bent 90°, forearm perpendicular to the floor.
4. The guard hand slightly holds the basketball.
5. Greater grip on the surface of the ball, makes the throw better.
6. In the throw, the arm is as relaxed as possible.
7. The direction is set by the middle and index fingers.
8. Before throwing, sit down a little and in the process of execution the body and legs straighten out.

How to spin a basketball on your finger?

Professional players shared their correct training technique to learn how to spin the basketball ball:

1. Determine which hand to use. Each player has everything individually, someone throws up one and picks it up with a finger of the other.
2. The elbow should be in a comfortable position above the side so that when the ball is rotated, it is at the level of the face.
3. Sports equipment is placed on the fingertips of the twisting hand, leaving a little space between the palm.
4. Fingers pointed towards the face for ease of use. Upon completion of the rotation, they go in the opposite direction.
5. The other hand is placed on the back side of the ball. The thumb is in the middle, as more force will be placed on it when thrown.
6. A ball is tossed in a rotating motion and another is twisted at the same time. Hand movements must be synchronized. The initial throw should not be high, otherwise it will be difficult to pick up the ball with your finger.

How to inflate a basketball?

Needle pump and silicone grease are the main equipment needed to inflate old and new basketballs. If you don't have one, you can use a bicycle pump, medical syringe, and duct tape. The needle must be prepared in advance by sharpening it to a blunt state so that it cannot damage the valve. To correctly add pressure to a basketball, it is worth shaking it in order to move the camera to a vertical position. The pumping time depends on how much volume the pump has.

How to seal a basketball?

Many people have experienced when an accessory can burst during the game, and if it is a good product from a well-known brand, it is a pity to throw it away. There is a proven way to seal a basketball. All you need is a medical syringe with a thick needle and a strong, quick-drying rubber adhesive: Moment, Bondix or Dragon. The rupture zone is pierced with a syringe. After a sufficient amount of glue has been poured into the ball, it must be placed with the puncture down so that the composition covers the surface of the gap from the inside.

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