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Your Court Maintenance Planner
Use this chart — put together by the ASBA and USTA — to help you keep your courts and facility in top shape at all times.
Pre-season
Court Surfaces (outdoor)
Acrylic
Power wash, clean & fill cracks Check for birdbaths, repair as required.
Fast-Dry
Remove dead material, scarify, topdress, roll, install lines.
Sand-Filled Turf
Powerbroom. Remove algae. Apply sand topdressing as required.
Grass
Roll and fertilize grass. Gradually mow to playing height.
Court Surfaces (indoor)
Acrylic
Power wash surface. Clean and fill cracks or surface tears.
Fast-Dry
Deep scarify surface crust as required, grade. Top dress with surface material as required.
Sand-Filled Turf
Power broom court surface. Apply sand topdressing as required.
Court Accessories
Nets
Install net, adjust height and tension.
Net Posts
Clean out sleeves if removed. Paint as required. Install posts and lubricate mechanisms and sleeves.
Fencing
Check that frame and fabric are secure and free from hazards.
Windscreens
Install windscreens.
Irrigation — Above Surface
Turn on water supply, test system, set meters, set timer clocks. Check and replace zone valves as required.
Irrigation — Subsurface
Set level.
Lights (Indoor)
Clean lenses and check wiring/conduit.
Lights (Outdoor)
Clean lenses and check wiring/conduit, set timer clocks. Check and record light level readings.
Court Maintenance Equipment
Clean, lubricate, tune-up, test.
Court Buildings
Air Structures
Clean fabric, erect structure, test all systems/blower. Review emergency staff procedures.
Metal Buildings
Check and test all HVAC systems.
Fabric Frame
Inspect metal framework, joints and fasteners.
Related Facility Concerns
Drainage
Check systems, clear structures and pipes.
Landscaping
Prune back overgrowth and roots under courts, fertilize, install seasonal plantings, mulch beds.
As required
Court Surfaces (outdoor)
Acrylic
Clean off spills and other contaminants. Check for surface cracking. Sweep or blow clean after heavy rain.
Fast-Dry
Broom court and brush lines. Roll. Minor patching, as required.
Sand-Filled Turf
Repair as required in heavily used areas.
Grass
Fill/repair divets and gouges in grass. Line courts. Apply fertilizer, soil amendments, pesticides.
Court Surfaces (indoor)
Acrylic
Clean off spills and other contaminants. Water vacuum or water brush surface.
Fast-Dry
Broom court and brush lines. Fill low spots and reset lines.
Sand-Filled Turf
Replace sand as required in heavily used areas. Check for tears or loose seams.
Court Accessories
Nets
Clean headband, net, and center strap.
Net Posts
Check for cracking and repair as needed around net posts.
Fencing
Inspect frame, hardware, and footings. Repair as required or replace damaged elements. Check gate swings, lubricate.
Windscreens
Replace damaged panels.
Irrigation — Above Surface
Adjust timer clocks to match seasonal usage water requirements.
Irrigation — Subsurface
Monitor and adjust level. Replace metering devices.
Lights (Indoor)
Check and record light level readings.
Lights (Outdoor)
Check for nicks or scratches, paint as required to prevent rusting.
Court Maintenance Equipment
Check for nicks or scratches, paint to prevent rusting.
Court Buildings
Metal Buildings
Check safety padding. Clear gutters, check for any roof leakage.
Fabric Frame
Inspect and clean building exterior.
Related Facility Concerns
Drainage
Clear tops of drains and swales. Repair damaged structures or pipes.
Landscaping
Change seasonal plantings, fertilize or prune as required.
Daily
Court Surfaces (outdoor)
Fast-Dry
Water (sometimes twice a day). Broom and brush court lines.
Sand-Filled Turf
Sweep surface clean of debris.
Grass
Water surface, mow if required. Rotate court position or let court “rest.”
Court Surfaces (indoor)
Acrylic
Vacuum or sweep surface.
Fast-Dry
Lightly hand water court as required. Broom and brush court lines.
Sand-Filled Turf
Sweep surface clean of debris.
Court Accessories
Windscreens
Check that windscreens are securely fastened to fence framework.
Irrigation — Above Surface
Check and record water usage.
Court Buildings
Air Structures
Record pressure, temperature, weather conditions, inspect for leakage.
Related Facility Concerns
Landscaping
Water plantings.
Weekly
Court Surfaces (outdoor)
Acrylic
Sweep or blow surface clean.
Fast-Dry
Sweep surface and clean debris. Roll court if required.
Sand-Filled Turf
Brush surface (more frequently if required). Check for tears or loose seams.
Court Surfaces (indoor)
Sand-Filled Turf
Brush surface (more frequently if required).
Court Accessories
Nets
Check net tension and height.
Windscreens
Hose down or wash windscreens as required.
Irrigation — Above Surface
Check and adjust head alignment and performance, check and clean filters.
Irrigation — Subsurface
Add fungicide.
Court Buildings
Air Structures
Test emergency back-up system. Test emergency exits.
Fabric Frame
Test emergency exits.
Related Facility Concerns
Drainage
Inspect courts and surroundings for drainage problems or erosion, repair.
Landscaping
Trim grass, sweep walks, check plants for invasive insects or diseases.
Post-season
Court Surfaces (outdoor)
Acrylic
Sweep or blow surface clean. Clean and fill cracks.
Fast-Dry
Take up lines or weight them if court subject to freeze thaw cycles.
Sand-Filled Turf
Clean court surface and apply algaecide and fungicide.
Grass
Aerate, dethatch, reseed, and fertilize.
Court Surfaces (indoor)
Acrylic
Sweep or blow surface clean. Clean and fill cracks and surface tears.
Sand-Filled Turf
Clean court surface.
Court Accessories
Nets
Remove nets (or loosen tension). Check cables & replace as required. Store.
Net Posts
Remove posts, cap sleeves, lubricate mechanisms, and store or cover.
Windscreens
Tag locations, clean, & store. Measure and order replacement panels.
Irrigation — Above Surface
Turn off water supply, drain and blow out system, repair equipment as required.
Lights (Indoor)
Clean lenses and check wiring/conduit minimum every 6 months if year round.
Lights (Outdoor)
Clean lenses and check wiring/conduit minimum every 6 months if year round.
Court Maintenance Equipment
Clean, lubricate, order replacement parts if required, repair, store. Drain gasoline or water if applicable.
Court Buildings
Air Structures
Clean fabric, take down, store, winterize mechanical equipment.
Metal Buildings
Clean HVAC filters and vents, inspect roof and insulation systems.
Related Facility Concerns
Drainage
Check systems, clear structures and pipes.
Landscaping
Prune back overgrowth, fertilize plantings, mulch planting beds.
Long-term planning
Court Surfaces (outdoor)
Acrylic
Plan for resurfacing every 5-8 years.
Fast-Dry
Check surface thickness yearly. Re-leveling may be required if court has eroded. A new lift may be required every 5-7 years.
Sand-Filled Turf
Plan to resurface every 12-20 years
Court Surfaces (indoor)
Acrylic
Plan for resurfacing every 3-6 years.
Sand-Filled Turf
Plan to replace surface every 10-15 years.
Court Accessories
Fencing
Replace fabric every 12-18 years.
Windscreens
Plan to replace every 3-5 years.
Lights (Indoor)
Replace lamps every 2 years indoors.
Lights (Outdoor)
Replace lamps every 4-5 years outdoors.
Court Buildings
Air Structures
Plan for fabric replacement every 10-15 years.
Metal Buildings
Plan on roof replacement 15-25 years depending on system.
Reprinted with permission from “Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual,” jointly published by the ASBA and USTA and available at sportsbuilders.org .
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