SportMaster 100% acrylic sport surfaces are very durable and require little maintenance. Basic cleaning will go a long way in preventing premature wear and staining. Cleaning will also extend the life of the surfacing products. Here are some tips for maintaining your investment and extending the life of your sport surface between resurfacing cycles.
Clean your court regularly
Watch for evidence of mold or mildew in shaded areas and corners where organic debris tends to accumulate. Both Outdoor and Indoor courts require at least one annual wet clean with mild detergent solution and rotary pressure washing equipment. Acrylic coatings do not support fungus growth, so growth of fungus or mold is a result from food and drink spills, decaying matter, or other foreign materials on the surface feeding these organisms.
Remove standing water
Rain showers help clean your court. However, dirt accumulates in standing water, leaving stains and piles of debris. This acts like sandpaper under the players’ feet and creates abrasion on the surface. Remove water from birdbaths as often as possible.
Remove foreign matter
Leaves and pine needles not only can stain your court, but also are breeding grounds for mold and mildew. It is especially important to remove leaves in the fall and keep your court free of debris all winter.
Use proper equipment
Use soft nylon or hair-type brooms for scrubbing your surface. Scrubbing too hard with hard bristles can damage the surface. Rotary pressure washers are great tools for cleaning tennis court surfaces but care needs to be taken – using the equipment with the right pressure will prevent any damage to the surface and limit the amount of sand removed during cleaning.
Damage prevention
Post signs or banners near the entrance and throughout the court area with court “rules”. Here are some suggestions:
- Use only non-marking tennis shoes on the court surface.
- No bikes, roller blades, or skateboards.
- No chewing gum, food, or drinks (other than water) on the playing surface.
- Do not drag chairs, benches or other items over the surface.
- Use pads underneath chair legs or equipment that are on the court. Anchor benches or any other permanent fixtures to the surface to prevent damage from sliding or dragging. Protect the surface before driving maintenance vehicles onto the court.
Drainage (outdoor courts)
Drainage systems are a very important part of tennis court construction. Excess water that flows back onto the court surface or beneath the court can cause problems. Properly installed drainage systems divert water away from the court and should be inspected from time to time.
Look for any evident damage to structures and drain pipes.
Clear away any vegetation or debris that may be blocking drains or swales.
Landscaping (outdoor courts)
Tennis facilities are designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Designers take pride in planning such facilities and understand the many benefits of landscaping around them. Here are some tips related to landscaping and protecting the surface:
- Keep grass and any other vegetation trimmed and away from the court surface.
- Minimize the amount of dirt and dust that blows onto the court by mulching planting beds, and planting grass or ground vegetation on any bare areas around the courts.
- Blow or sweep walks around and leading into the court to minimize tracking and blowing of debris.
- Protect the surface from weed killer, fertilizer, insect control products and any other chemicals that may potentially damage the court surfacing system.
- Do not over-water vegetation around the court. This can sometimes lead to accumulation of excessive moisture beneath the base. When the court surface heats up from the sun, blisters can form as the moisture evaporates and comes through the acrylic layers.
Repair and Resurfacing
The standard resurfacing cycle for most acrylic sport surfaces is 5 to 8 years. The asphalt and concrete base of a tennis court, no matter how well built, can exhibit cracking and low spots known as “birdbaths”. There are many factors that can contribute to these problems from ground movement and sinking, to tree roots and improper construction or base mixes. While many of the cleaning and protection functions can be handled by the court owner or maintenance crew, pavement repairs and resurfacing is best handled by JUSTFOURTENNIS.
Our recommendation is to have an annual inspection performed in the spring of the year to evaluate the condition of your facility.
Here are some of the details that should be addressed in an inspection:
- Overall condition and appearance of the facility
- Surface damage, birdbaths, or cracks that have appeared or reopened>
- Performance of the drainage system.
- Areas of premature wear or damage. Identify causes.
- Condition of the surfacing system: texture, fading, stains, mold or mildew growth.
- Condition of tennis court accessories: Tennis nets and net posts, windscreen, center strap, etc.