Tips to Protect Your Investment and Boost Your Game

Whether you live in an area where your hard courts have been closed during winter months or your courts experience play throughout the year, Spring is a great time to inspect your courts to ensure a safe and enjoyable playing experience.

It is important to remove any and all debris. If your courts have any cracking, inspect the cracks, rubbing your hand or foot over the crack to ensure the sides of the crack are flush with no heaving or settling on either side of the crack or both sides. Cracks with any heaving or noticeable settling can cause erratic ball bounces and create a trip hazard.

Additionally, open cracks allow water to penetrate the base and can degrade the structural integrity of the court(s). Cracks should be leveled and filled to ensure a safe playing experience and the highest quality of play possible.

Inspect the courts for areas where water puddles – what our industry calls low areas.

When water puddles on the courts, dirt builds up, which attracts mold and mildew. Mold and mildew cause a loss of traction in players’ shoes that can cause players to slip and fall. Additionally, this build-up can cause the ball to bounce erratically. The areas in question can be spot cleaned, or the entire surface area of the courts may need to be cleaned.

At least once a year, it’s a good idea to inspect not only the courts but the other key items.

Inspect the condition of the net posts, net, fence, etc. It’s also a good idea to inspect the outside perimeter of the courts at the fence line.

Make sure vegetation, soil, and landscaping are not higher than the grade of the court, especially the low end so that the courts drain water properly off the courts.

Har-Tru, LLC recommends following all United States Tennis Association (USTA) and American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) guidelines for inspecting and maintaining your courts. Har-Tru offers consultation services and has a list of the highest caliber tennis court contractors available, and we can provide you with information upon request.