Alright, let’s walk through how I finally got my backyard basketball court sorted with proper hardwood flooring. This whole journey started when my driveway concrete cracked worse than my grandma’s china plate.
The Messy Beginning
First, I ripped up that busted concrete with a sledgehammer. Damn near killed my back doing that for two weekends straight. Chunks flying everywhere like a demolition derby. Cleared the whole area until I hit dirt.
Next, I measured the space twice ’cause I ain’t got money to waste. Grabbed my sketchbook and drew lines where the court edges should go. Realized halfway I needed way more wood than planned – my math skills definitely rusty.
The Wood Nightmare
Went shopping expecting oak but nearly fainted seeing prices. Settled for maple after haggling with three different lumber yards. Had to borrow my neighbor’s truck twice because boards wouldn’t fit the first load.
Pro tip: Check every single board for splits! Found seven warped ones I had to return. Nearly cried when saw rain forecast while stacking them in the driveway.
Putting It Together
Laid the moisture barrier first – unrolled that giant plastic sheet like wrapping Godzilla’s birthday present. Almost flew away when wind kicked up. Used half a roll of duct tape wrestling it flat.
Started nailing boards at 5am before Texas heat melted my sneakers. Made these rookie mistakes:
- Smacked my thumb raw with the nail gun
- Cut three boards too short by misreading measurements
- Had uneven gaps that made the surface wobble
Sanded the whole thing twice because splinters. That dust got everywhere – my eyebrows looked like Santa Claus by the end.
The Final Stretch
Put on three coats of finish using the roller. Nearly slid into wet goop twice. Bugs kept sticking to the surface like tiny kamikaze pilots.
Held my breath for 48 hours while it dried. Caught the mailman testing his dribble on it yesterday. Court plays smooth as butter now but wow – never doing this solo again unless I grow eight extra arms!
