Who loves having leakages in a basketball valve? The answer is ‘Nobody.’ However, it is a common issue faced by most basketball players. There are two methods to meet the problem: fixing and replacing.
You can try both methods to get your basketball back to the court for playing. Today I am here to help you with a step-by-step guide for fixing and replacing a leaked basketball valve.
Fixing a leaked valve is more affordable than replacing it with a new one. So, we will fix the leakage first and consider replacing later if the leak is still alive. So, both tutorials are in this same article.
No more words! Let’s fix it now.
What Are Common Causes For Leaking a Basketball Valve?
Understanding the reasons for leakage ensures better fixing with less effort. So, you must find the reasons before fixing the basketball valve leakage. Here are the most common reasons behind valve leakage.
- Unwanted dirt, debris, and other particles can cause leakage on a basketball valve.
- Excessive air pressure may lead to valve leakage.
- Practicing basketball hard drills can create valve leakage over the period.
- An aging valve is prone to be leaked anytime.
- Faulty sealing is another reason to cause valve leakage.
Therefore, you can also take the required preventive measures to avoid disappointing valve leakages by addressing these reasons. It will help you make your basketball valves long-lasting.
How to Diagnosis a Basketball Valve Leakage?
You cannot ultimately fix the faults in your basketball valve without the proper diagnosis. Detecting leakage is relatively easy if you know the techniques. Here is how to have a quick diagnosis of a leakage.
- Take a bucket of water.
- Sink the ball surface fully in the water.
- Place the valve side forward.
- Be patient and wait for a while to detect water bubbles.
If the basketball is entirely out of air pressure, use a hand pump to fill the ball with air somewhat. Then, place it in the bucket of water to get air-born bubbles if there are leakages.
How to Fix a Leaky Basketball Valve? A DIY Tutorial
Now it is time to repair the basketball valve after the leak is diagnosed inside it. Let’s move with a step-by-step tutorial to fix the leaking in a basketball valve. It is a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fixing project.
Things that You Need to Fix a Leaky Basketball Valve:
- Soapy water
- A Needle
- A toothpick
- Gum
Step One: Pass a soapy-wet inflating needle into the valve hole to clean the inside. Do the same task several times to remove dirt, debris, and other particles from the valve hole.
Step Two: Take a sharp and new toothpick to insert into the hole. Penetrate the toothpick carefully into the hole to avoid tearing around. It will impede air from getting out through the hole.
Step Three: Cut off the end of the toothpick and let it plug the inflating hole in. Finally, seal around the valve hole with sticky gum for a more reliable fix.
Though fixing is more affordable than replacing a leaky basketball valve, I recommend replacing a new valve for the worst one. Otherwise, it will merely waste your time and effort.
How to Replace a Leaking Basketball Valve? A Home Guide
If the basketball cannot retain air, even after repairing the leaky valve, you must replace the leaked valve with a new one. You need to only buy a valve and I will show you the rest of it all.
Things that You Need to Replace a Leaky Basketball Valve:
- A new valve
- Soapy water
- Valve changer
- Valve inserter
- Dry cloth or towel
- A knife
- A bucket of water
Step One: Drop some drips of soapy water in the leaker valve and rub gently with your finger. And put the new valve in the soapy water.
Step Two: Insert the valve changer into the valve up to the smaller angled portion. Hold the basketball with your left hand and pull the valve changer slightly twisted to get out the valve.
Step Three: Place the new valve into the hole with the help of a valve inserter. You can use a dry cloth or towel to hold the valve inserter tightly. Use your finger or hard anything else to tighten the valve into the hole.
Step Four: Cut off the outer portion of the newly inserted valve with a knife by labeling the ball surface. You can use a bit of gum around the repairing hole to fasten the valve inside.
Step Five: Inflate the ball with a hand-driven pumper or an automated vacuum. You can recheck the ball by sinking it into a bucket of water to make the replacement flawless.
Finally, the basketball is ready to play or practice on the field.
Let’s Recap the Reading
A basketball valve can be leaked due to different reasons over the period. It is a usual issue you can fix or replace at home. Fixing the leaked valve is easy but sophisticated with some selective steps. If you go with the above steps, the issue should be addressed in the meantime.
However, you can replace the older leaked valve if you aren’t satisfied with the repaired one. According to the above tutorial, you can also do the job at your home by yourself.
So, fixing the leaking basketball valve is in your hand now.
