How to Prepare an Outdoor Tennis Court for Cold Weather

Outdoor tennis courts can be a lot of fun during the spring and summer months, but they won't get much use in the winter. That's why the fall period is a perfect time to perform minor maintenance on the court to ensure its longevity and durability. Courts can get damaged by the ice and frost, so preparing them to stay intact over the winter period will make them last longer. As they are a considerable investment, courts are easier to maintain than repair completely.

Here are some tips on how to maintain an outdoor tennis court before winter sets in.

Take the windscreens down

Since the court won't get much use in the winter, taking the windscreens down is a great idea. Windscreens can get damaged by strong winds in the winter months, so it's better to put them in storage.

Lower the nets

Relieving the tension of the net is one of the best ways to maintain it and prevent tears. Harsh weather and winds will have a smaller effect if the net has been lowered. If the court won't be in use during winter, the net can be removed entirely and stored away to protect it further. Otherwise, nets are easy to set up if an occasion arises for a quick game during a warmer, sunny day.

Cover the court and holes

It's best to cover clay courts to minimize clay loss over the winter months when the court is least likely to be used and maintained. We also recommend plugging or covering post holes to prevent them from collecting water and debris.

Rake the leaves and remove debris

It's best to keep the tennis court clear for the winter. Leaves, branches, and other small debris can collect moss and mildew over the colder months. It will be difficult to clean the leaves in January after they've stayed on the court for months and have turned into mush. Raking the leaves and collecting all other debris from the court will minimize the negative impact of long-standing issues, such as stains and minor cracks.

Remove stains

If the court has been stained in the summer season, the snow, ice, and frost can only make the stain worse. Use a soft brush and some detergent to buff it out. Don't grab a power washer; stick to a garden hose. If the detergent doesn't work on the stain, switch to a chlorine solution, with one cup of bleach added for a gallon of water used.

Fill in the cracks

If there are cracks on the tennis court, it's best to take care of them before winter. Small cracks allow water to seep in. As water freezes in the crack, the damage expands, making minor issues far worse. Small cracks are much easier to fill in and repair by professionals, and the repairs will cost less than full-blown resurfacing if the cracks have been left for too long.

Regular fall maintenance will ensure the tennis court looks beautiful and ready for the next season.

Apex Court Builders specializes in construction, resurfacing and repair of tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, and more. We do business in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Prescott and more! Call us today! (480) 384-9141.