After years of wear and tear, your aging tennis court may not be as responsive, reliable, or eye-catching as it used to be. Maintaining a healthy playing surface is relatively simple, but even with an optimal maintenance routine, many factors can accelerate the breakdown of playing surfaces. If you’re worried about your aging tennis court, it’s important to know the major signs of court aging and what you can do about it.
What Causes Premature Tennis Court Aging?
If your court is in an area that experiences freezing/thawing, excessive precipitation, or other environmental factors that can impact the surface integrity, common issues like cracks, missing sections of the surface, or uneven portions of the court can occur. Other conditions to look out for that may indicate your aging court may be past its prime include:
- Cracks & Broken Sections: If fissures in the surface penetrate any depth of the playing surface, debris, liquid, and mildew can build up beneath the asphalt, cement, or clay surface. Freezing and thawing cycles further expand the cracking, leading to a compounding surface problem if minor cracks are left unchecked.
- Areas with Pooling: Whether there is an issue with foundation integrity due to groundwater or shifting, or impacts or material breakdown has developed an uneven playing surface, dips and bulges in the playing surface may indicate that your current surface needs attention.
- Excessive Use: When a court is abused by hundreds of players, natural wear and tear are common. Even with strict maintenance and upkeep, a highly used tennis surface will eventually fail when excessive use is causing repeated surface trauma.
- Improper Maintenance Routines: Whether your court is indoor or outdoor, every tennis court needs love. Outdoor courts require extra attention, as removing standing water and debris is one of the easiest ways to prevent common surface problems.
Hire a Professional to Evaluate Surface Damage
Depending on the severity of cracking or damage, many common tennis court surfaces can be remedied with sealing and sectional repair. Tennis court maintenance companies offer a range of effective resealing solutions, and can even replace areas that are beyond sealing capabilities.
A certified tennis court contractor will be able to outline the severity of damage in detail. Before trying to manage any repairs on your own, it’s important to discuss the details with a specialist. Attempting to patch cracks or uneven sections on your own can result in increased damage and is easily avoided by seeking experienced guidance.
Resealing & Maintenance is a Reliable Solution
The longer cracks and surface issues remain unattended, the greater the potential for damage that’s beyond repair. Resealing is a highly affordable solution, and is one of the best ways to add years to the playability of your tennis court. Following resealing, they will educate you on the best ways to maintain the surface, help you prevent future damage, and even offer regularly scheduled maintenance to help you with the upkeep.
If your court suffers from stains, traction issues, or has hairline cracks expanding throughout, it’s important to contact a reliable tennis court maintenance team as soon as possible. Professional resealing and maintenance will improve surface traction, prevent cracks from expanding, and is a simple way to refresh your court’s aesthetic appeal.
