Top Tips For Maintaining Your Tennis Court In Winter

As British weather can be rather unpredictable, our experts at Charles Lawrence have put together a list of top tennis court maintenance tips to help you look after your court over the upcoming winter months. A well-maintained court is essential for high performance and longevity, so take a look at the following helpful pointers to ensure your court remains fully intact during the harsh winter weather.

Regular cleaning

To avoid premature wear and tear and reduce the risk of staining, carrying out basic cleaning on your tennis court is essential. It is advised that the court is cleaned once a month, keeping an eye-out for mould or moss in shaded areas and corners where debris tends to build up.

Acrylic coatings

Growth of fungus, mould or moss on an acrylic coated court is a result of food and drink spills, rotting substances or other foreign materials on the surface. To remove mould, moss and other organisms from an acrylic surface, it is advised that you:

Create a solution made of 2 parts household bleach, mixed with 1 part water and apply to the damaged areas. Scrub gently with a soft bristled brush for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly
If there are noticeable stains on the court surface, apply a mild detergent prior to gentle scrubbing with a soft bristled brush

Remove foreign matter

Try to keep your court free of any debris during the winter to avoid any discolouration or stains which can be caused by:

leaves
pine needles
mould
moss

Clear away any standing water

After persistent rain and heavy showers, the dirt which accumulates in leftover puddles leaves stains and piles of debris on the surface. This can significantly affect play on the court as this dirt acts like sandpaper under the players’ feet, causing the surface to become scuffed and damaged.

Use the correct equipment

Brooms made with soft nylon or hair-like bristles are ideal for scrubbing and sweeping your surface – be careful not to scrub too vigorously as the hard bristles can damage the surface. Water brooms are an excellent tool for cleaning tennis courts as they:

are quicker
require less labour
operate on less fuel
use less water

All of these properties mean significantly greater savings in time, stress and money.

Drain systems

These are a very important part of tennis court design and installation as they ensure the surface remains in a suitable condition for play. Excess water will flow back onto the surface or become trapped beneath the court which can cause major, costly problems. An efficient drainage system will need to be installed so water is diverted away from the court and should be inspected every now and again. Much like before, clearing away any debris or foreign material that may be blocking drains will prevent any damage to the court.

Repair and resurfacing

No matter how well it is installed, the asphalt and concrete base of a tennis court surface can show signs of cracking and low spots known as ‘birdbaths’. There are many factors which can contribute to these problems, including:

ground movement and sinking
tree roots
improper construction or base mixes

While most of the cleaning and upkeep can carried out by the court owner or maintenance staff, repairs and resurfacing must be handled by a professional court surfacing company. Here at Charles Lawrence we provide first class sport surface maintenance to retain optimal playing conditions. We clean and maintain a variety of surfaces, including:

artificial grass carpet
macadam
acrylic surfacing

For artificial grass and clay surfaces, we provide regular brushing and silica infill as well as power grooming and contra brushing. Furthermore, we offer top-quality cleaning and resurfacing services so no matter what your requirements, we can find the ideal solution for your court. Simply get in touch with our expert team today for further information.