Keep your court clean. Every month walk your court looking for mold and mildew growing in the shady areas. Any debris accumulating like, sand, dirt, leaves or pine needles also need to be cleaned off regularly.
Clean off any debris or sand from the court. If left this debris acts like sandpaper under people’s shoes as they move their feet. Fungus or mold growing on a court is not good for the colorcoating. If any is found, it needs to be removed by scrubbing it off with a mild combination of 2 parts bleach and one part water. Light pressure washing can also be done to remove the mold or fungus as well. Another option a mild detergent can be used to try to remove any stains. The detergent can be mixed together with one (1) part mild detergent and two parts TSP (Trisodiumphosphate), one part household bleach and four parts water to create a cleaning solution.
Remove standing water from your court the best you can. Long term standing water softens the coatings and results in premature wearing and softening of the color. When the puddles are gone they usually leaves debris and sand behind. The debris also need to be removed from the court as well. The debris can lead to premature wearing of the colorcoating.
Leaves and pine needles left on the courts are a breeding ground for mold, mildew and algae. Throughout the year any of this type of accumulation should be removed as soon as possible. Doing a final fall clean up is very important.
Drainage systems, if installed around the court should be inspected to make sure they are clear. Any blockage should be removed . Look for any signs of damage to the drains or the pipe of the system regularly basis.
To prevent surface damage to the court. Be aware of the following things:
- No gum
- Tennis shoes only- no black soles they leave marks
- No chairs, unless pads are installed under them. In hot weather chairs will sink into the asphalt leaving dents.
- No bikes, skateboards or roller blades
- Do not drag equipment like ball machines, chairs or benches across the surface
Do not let landscaping take over the court- watch for tree roots that start to grow up through the court they will lead to humps and cracks. Trim back all of the overgrowth such as grass, bushes and trees. This will help prevent mold & algae from being present on the court. Try not to get fertilizers, insect repellants, weed killers or other chemicals on the court if possible. They may damage the coatings as well.
Do not over water around the court. Excess water on the surface may damage the coating and cause mold & algae to grow. Excess water may also go under the court which may lead to subbase problems or bubbles in the colorcoating.
Keep walkways leading to the court free of debris as well. If they are not cleared, the debris can be tracked onto the court which may also lead to premature wearing of the coatings.
Repair cracks as soon as they appear. Water entering the courts subbase by way of the cracks will lead to more cracking and subbase failure.
Look for wearing spots in the colorcoating. This leads to a slicker playing surface and can be hazardous for playing on the court. The worn colorcoating also allows the ultra violet rays of the sun to oxidize your courts pavement. Oxidation leads to reduced flexibility of your asphalt which increases the chances of pavement cracking during the expansion and contraction of the freeze and thaw cycle. The typical coating on a tennis court usually lasts approximately 7 to 10 years for homeowners, 5 to 7 years for public courts. This all depends on the amount of play and how well the courts are maintained regularly.
If constructed properly with proper drainage and a preventative maintenance program your tennis court could last 20 to 25 years.
