Tennis is one of the only sports that’s played year round, although even the most avid tennis players are likely to take to indoor courts over the colder, wetter months. But with spring fast approaching, many people will be looking forward to the first outdoor games of the year, so it’s time to check the condition of your tennis courts and carry out any necessary maintenance to prepare them for summer use. Follow these simple tips to keep up with the seasonal maintenance of your tennis courts, not just to keep it looking great and enhancing playing performance, but to keep it in better, longer lasting condition, and saving you the cost of a resurface or replacement court!
Sweep Regularly
First things first – loose grit, debris and rubbish can have a very abrasive effect on your court, presenting slip hazards to players as they will easily lose traction, as well as causing premature wear and tear of the court’s surface and any painted lines or coatings.
And if left for a long period of time, it can cause the surface to extensively deteriorate, leading to cracks and damage that will result in a full resurface becoming necessary much sooner than it should.
Pressure Wash
A professional pressure wash will work wonders for the condition and appearance of your courts, cleaning away moss and algae that has accumulated over the wetter winter months. It may not seem like much, but a build-up of mildew or a few soggy leaves can be very hazardous for players.
Painted porous macadam surfaces can be easily treated for moss and algae with specialist cleaning products that have been designed not to damage the bitumen binder. And a professionally cleaned and refreshed court will look great, and appeal to players!
Repainting and Line Marking
How your tennis courts get used and the type of use they experience will determine how often they will require repainting, but on average macadam courts will need the lines marking out again every 5 or so years. It is always best to get a trusted company in to assist with this as they will have the experience, knowledge and quality products that will ensure a long lasting and high standard finish.
Repair Hairline Cracks
If you notice any small cracks in the surface of your court, you should arrange to have them repaired as quickly as possible. If left, they can easily deteriorate, leading to major structural cracks that could present a fall or trip hazard for players and cut short the life of your court.
Resurface Your Court
No matter how careful you are with your court, eventually it will need resurfacing to ensure you continue to get the best possible performance from it. This is usually about every 10 years or so, but again it will vary depending on use and maintenance.
If you have a macadam court, you’ll know it is time to resurface when it begins to crack, fracture and break up. This doesn’t mean that you will need a whole new court, as the general structure will probably remain sound (simply get an expert in to have a look if you are unsure), so you are likely to just need a new layer of porous macadam laying directly onto the worn or damaged surface.
If you’d like any further information about how to prepare your tennis courts for the new season, get in touch with us at Charles Lawrence Tennis Courts. We’ll be happy to provide a site visit to assess the condition and recommend the ideal court maintenance work that will return it to peak performance – whether you need us to assist with minor alterations and repairs or you require an entire refurbish and resurface.
