Caring For Your Tennis Court During Fall & Winter

Preventative maintenance is key when it comes to getting the most out of your tennis court. The primary causes of outdoor tennis court damage ultimately comes down to owners not removing all dirt and debris (including leaves, paper, plastic bags, grass, sticks and more) from their courts during late fall or early winter before the snow is there to stay.

If you don't take preventative steps during the fall/winter season, you will be negatively affecting your playing experience the following Spring including court aesthetics, player visibility, safety, and the pace of play.

If left on your court for the duration of winter, organic debris such as leaves, weeds, and soil alongside inorganic debris like paper, rocks, and plastic can trap moisture which can cause damage to your court's color coating. Your court is highly susceptible to damage from extended exposure to trapped moisture and may require court recoloring.

• Remove all signs of debris and dirt from your tennis court
  
  
• Remove the nets, inspect, clean and store them in a dry place that you know is rodent-resistant as rodents love nesting in tennis nets and court windscreens
  
  
• Do the same with court windscreens as strong winds can cause windscreen failure. If windscreens are left in place, the strong seasonal winds can create significant force and result in structural damage to tennis court fencing
  
  
• Cover up the post-hole sleeves with sleeve caps to protect them against any debris and moisture infiltration during the Winter
  
  
• Ensure that any cracks are filled as this minimizes the opportunity for water to enter and expand the crack during freezing and thawing cycles. (You may opt to hire professionals for this to guarantee that the proper filling material is used and the cracks are cleaned, prepared, and filled correctly)
  
  
• Specifically for clay courts, we recommend placing a court cover over the court in late fall to minimize the amount of clay loss until the start of the next season
  
  
• Only use a soft-nylon or hair-type broom for snow removal as hard-bristle brooms can damage your court's textured color surface, creating an inconsistent ball bounce
  
  
• Do not use snow shovels or mechanical snow removal equipment on your tennis court and never flood your court in winter for use as an ice rink
  

If you would like to learn more about seasonal care for your tennis courts or would like to schedule a service contact the team at R.S. Site & Sports. We specialize in a variety of tennis court construction and surfacing services including maintenance and repair. Contact us today.