Tennis courts like any other technical field or equipment will give you more return on investment when regularly maintained. Courts are not all equal in their maintenance needs. While tennis court resurfacing is necessary every four to eight years on a hard acrylic court, grass tennis court maintenance requires daily input.
Even if you have the more hardy artificial and clay courts, regular maintenance is key in stretching the life of the court.
Why Is It Necessary To Maintain Tennis Courts
- Safety: Cleaning all the debris off your clay and hard tennis courts or mowing your grass court daily ensures that the surface is even and safe. You won’t turn an ankle while playing. Debris should be removed daily
- Longevity of the court: Debris and water left to collect on all courts will lead to more damage over time and higher costs of repair and resurfacing. Regular sweeping and monthly water cleaning will prevent any accumulation of debris, mold, and moss.
- Beauty: Tennis courts are primarily functional but they can also add beauty to your yard. When well maintained, they add to your quality of life even when you’re not playing.
- Preempt massive damages: Regular cleaning and maintenance of your tennis court will help you spot issues that could snowball into expensive repairs if left unattended. A quickly repaired crack means less damage control in time.
- Better playing performance: Playing on a beautifully maintained court will boost both your performance and playing morale.
Different types of courts need different maintenance to protect them. Here’s a brief breakdown.
Court Specific Considerations
Hard or Acrylic Courts
If you’re yet to commit to the tennis court construction stage and you’re shopping around, you should opt for acrylic courts. They require the least maintenance of all the courts. The main concern here is to keep them clean and dry. Sweep debris regularly. Do a monthly wash with a water broom or something equally gentle. Make sure leaves and other debris do not collect on the court especially in wet seasons to avoid mold and mildew.
Clay Courts
Clay courts require daily drag brushing with a clay court drag brush. Clear away debris and use a court safe broom to clean up tape lines. Heat and too much moisture are the number one enemy of clay courts. To avoid cracks developing, water the court in the summer evenings. Cover the court during heavy rainfall to avoid the growth of moss from too much dampness.
Playing on a clay tennis court can be hard. So, to ensure that your next match is the best it could ever be, learn more in our blog post about How to Maintain a Clay Tennis Court.
Grass Courts
Grass courts are high maintenance. Mow it down every 2-3 days maintaining a length between ¼ to ⅓ of an inch. Water the surface after every use. Compact the surface with a ballast roller at least once a week since grass courts should not be as soft as a lawn. Don’t forget the fertilizer! Dry or brown grass is slippery and can be a safety hazard.
Tennis Court Resurfacing Repairs
Sometimes your maintenance routine uncovers damage to the surface of the court. Don’t hesitate to schedule repairs with qualified tennis court contractors as early as you can. Nipping the damage in the bud can add years to the life of your tennis court surface.
If you need tennis court resurfacing or repair services contact us today