A worn or damaged tennis court can negatively affect gameplay, making it difficult for you or your guests to enjoy your game of tennis. If you are responsible for maintaining a tennis court, you might be wondering how often it needs to be resurfaced. We've looked into this answer for you.
To keep a tennis court in optimal condition, it should be resurfaced every four to eight years. Frequent use may require more frequent resurfacing, while a well-constructed, conservatively used court can be resurfaced less often.
It is good to know how often you can expect a tennis court to need resurfacing. However, you should also know what signs to look for that indicate it is time to resurface your tennis court. It is also helpful to understand what resurfacing entails and how to maintain your court between resurfacings. We will discuss all of this information in this article so you know how to effectively take care of your tennis court.
Signs That A Tennis Court Needs To Be Resurfaced
Time is just one factor that indicates when a tennis court needs to be resurfaced. How often it is used, the environment where you live, and how well it is maintained will play a role in how often it needs to be done as well. Tennis court experts, McConnell and Associates, recommend keeping an eye on these signs that your tennis court needs to be resurfaced.
Cracks In The Surface
One or two cracks in the tennis court's surface are normal and are no cause for alarm. However, multiple cracks in the surface will make it difficult to play tennis effectively. Since part of the resurfacing process is repairing cracks in the surface, it is probably time to have your tennis court resurfaced when you start to see numerous cracks.
Mold And Mildew
Wherever there is moisture, there is a risk of mold and mildew. Cleaning your tennis court regularly will help combat any mold or mildew issues. When you start to notice that regular cleanings aren't enough to keep the problem at bay, though, it might be time to have the court resurfaced.
Pooling Water
After a heavy rain, you can expect a tennis court to be a bit wet. However, when you start to notice pools of water on the court, that is an indicator of wear and tear or insufficient drainage. Both of these issues will be addressed during the resurfacing process.
Suboptimal Playing Surface
A brand new tennis court is a treat to play on. The ball bounces well, the surface is smooth and dry, and the court is level. As the court wears down, you'll notice that gameplay isn't as seamless as it used to be. This may indicate that the court needs a touchup.
Faded Color
A faded court doesn't affect gameplay, but it is a reminder that it's been a while since your last resurfacing. When you start to notice that the court's colors have faded, look for other signs of wear and tear to see if it is time to schedule your next resurfacing.
Surface Bubbling
If you notice bubbles or blistering on your court's surface, the coating wasn't applied correctly, or water damage is starting to occur. Either way, an unsmooth surface can negatively impact gameplay, so it needs to be repaired.
How Long Should A Tennis Court Last?
Tennis courts are made from durable, long-lasting materials. As long as they are properly maintained and repaired, tennis courts can last up to 25 years.
How Much Does It Cost To Resurface A Tennis Court?
Because the resurfacing process also includes repairing damage and restoring appearance, the cost of resurfacing a tennis court varies widely, depending on the tennis court's condition.
The average cost is between 4,000 and 8,000 dollars. A newer, well-maintained tennis court with little to no damage will have a cost on the lower end of the spectrum, while a severely damaged court with a lot of repair needs can cost well over the average, up to 12,000 dollars.
How To Resurface A Tennis Court
Whether you resurface the tennis court yourself or hire someone to do it for you, you should know the process so you can be sure that is done properly. Repairing damages and then sealing the court are the two main components of resurfacing a tennis court.
Phase 1: Repairing Damages
Resurfacing begins with taking inventory of any damages or issues with the tennis court and repairing them. This could include filling in cracks, leveling any dips on the surface, and removing any weeds or debris. Cleaning and re-painting the court can also be included in this phase if those tasks are necessary.
Phase 2: Sealing The Court
After the court has been repaired, it is sealed with an acrylic sealer. This restores the appearance of the surface and protects it from any damage. As you may have noticed, some tennis courts have areas that are cushioned to relieve pressure and stress on a player's body. These cushions cannot be sealed, so they are installed after the sealant is dry.
How Do You Maintain A Tennis Court?
Maintaining a tennis court includes keeping it clean, preventing and repairing any damage, and protecting against the weather. Here is a list of activities you should complete to maintain your tennis court, including how often you should do it:
Keeping The Tennis Court Clean
You should clean your tennis court once a month. This includes removing any debris on the court and cleansing the surface of the court.
How Do You Clean An Outdoor Tennis Court?
You can scrub your tennis court with a mild detergent and a soft-bristled brush. You can skip the detergent and just use water if your court isn't stained.
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Preventing Damage To The Court
Establish rules for your tennis court, ensuring that only guests only use proper equipment and refrain from using bicycles or other personal transportation on the court. If you prohibit guests from eating or drinking on the court, you can prevent litter and spills.
Repairing Court Damages
Of course, you want your court in the best working order, but repairing each and every damage as it occurs can be expensive. Instead, plan to inspect your court for damages every year and fix them at that time. You can either inspect the court yourself or find a maintenance service to provide the surface for you.
Weather-Related Maintenance
If you have a drainage system installed, ensure that it is free of blockages regularly. That way, your court won't flood in the event of heavy rain or snow. You don't have to remove snow if you don't need to use your court in the winter. However, if you do have to remove snow or ice, be sure to use tools that will not damage the surface of your court. Refrain from using road salt.
Landscaping
Maintain any landscaping that you have in your court. Cut the grass and trim any trees or bushes regularly to prevent overgrowth. Apply insect control and weed killer to prevent weeds from growing on your court and insects from bothering your guests.
What Kind Of Concrete Is Used For Tennis Courts?
Reinforced concrete or post-tensioned concrete are the most popular and recommended for tennis courts.
Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced concrete combines steel and concrete to create a durable surface suitable for tennis. This option needs very little maintenance as it is strong enough to handle regular court use.
Post-Tensioned Concrete
Post-tensioned concrete also contains steel. However, the concrete is poured over steel cables. As the concrete hardens, the cables become tense and create a durable surface.
Summary
Maintaining a tennis court can be a difficult task. You must prevent damage, keep the court in good condition, and make any needed repairs.
Resurfacing is a valuable process because it takes care of all of these areas and restores your court to near perfect condition. While resurfacing your court too often is costly and unnecessary, getting it done at the recommended frequency is valuable.
A well-maintained tennis court can last up to 20 years, and resurfacing is a necessary process to help you enjoy your court for as long as possible.
Check out these articles so you can make informed decisions about maintaining your tennis court:
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