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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.
