Saturday, August 24, 2013

Understanding Proper Tennis Court Maintenance

By Debra Cooley


Tennis court maintenance does not have to be difficult or confusing. The steps that are required will depend on which type you have. There are different materials these courts are made from. Each one requires different steps for properly maintaining them. It is important to know these differences to avoid damage and keep the courts in the best shape possible for the people that play on them.

Hard wooden materials make up one of the types of courts you may have. These courts are generally simple to maintain, unless they have become damaged. The goal is to prevent damage to the wood through proper care. Dirt and other things should be removed often using a push broom. You can wash the surface with a cleaner designed for wooden courts and a mop. Acrylic coating should be reapplied as it becomes dull.

The acrylic layer and lines will need to be redone periodically as well. Generally, the best time to do this is when the shine of the acrylic has become dull. Equipment should not be left on the surface long term and only non-marking shoes should be permitted. If you leave the equipment on the wood for a long period, it can cause the wood to ripple or bow.

Clay courts are also available. These courts tend to require a bit more effort than the wood ones. You will need to begin by thoroughly wetting the clay and raking the whole surface. Large clumps and other debris are removed at this stage.

After you rake, you will then need to use a drag brush to help with leveling too. Dirt and other things that get stuck to the lines can be removed with a line scrub brush. The final step is to use a roller to compact the clay down. At this point, you have already removed any oddities and are now making the surface smooth.

Synthetic or natural grass can be used for these courts as well. Natural grass tends to require a great deal of effort and attention to maintain. The whole area must be seeded often as an effort to keep the surface plush. Seeding often also helps with keeping it level and free from ruts.

Grass courts also require frequent fertilizing, watering, and cutting. These efforts are necessary to encourage growth and keep the grass alive. It may also be necessary to prevent weed growth and pest invasions that can kill the grass. After each cut, you will need to redo the lines because you will be cutting them down with the grass.

In contrast, synthetic grass is much simpler to deal with. Most kinds do not require much care. They resist pest infestations and weed growth. With regular care, these types also do not need watering or fertilizing as often either. They tend to grow much slower than a natural grass.

The types of equipment and other supplies you need for tennis court maintenance will vary depending on the type you have. It may seem a bit confusing, but if you take the time to learn which ones you need and what steps are necessary, you can make things much easier. Even if you hire a service that specializes in maintaining courts, it is still helpful to know how they maintain the courts.




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