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Nova-grass
and Sandfilled tennis court surface maintenance
The Nova-Grass system, which consists of carpet and sand, provides a consistently predictable playing surface. The unique Nova-grass system design enhances and accentuates ball action as determined by the shot maker.
Nova-Grass courts sand mixture is inlaid and exposed between the fibers and can provide the same speed of play, ball bounce, footslide and comfort as clay.
The special sand also anchors the Nova-Grass system and ensures quick drainage. Rain percolates through the sand granules and away from the surface. This superior drainage means Nova-Grass courts are playable quickly after a normal rain shower. In northern climates, Nova-Grass courts are ready for play as soon as the snow melts.
BREAK IN
One difference between a new Nova-Grass court installation and other new tennis court surfaces is that the playability of Nova-Grass courts improves after the initial "Break-in" period. "Break-in" normally takes place within 30 days. During that period of time, the sand settles and compacts, locking into place, improving playing characteristics.
MAINTENANCE
Brushing...
Periodic brushing is the only routine maintenance required with the Nova-Grass court system. Brushing simultaneously achieves three objectives:
- Keeps sand height uniform in its distribution.
- Ensures that the exposed part of the fiber is uniform in its direction and erect.
- Helps remove litter, leaves, dirt, etc.
All-Weather
tennis court acrylic surface maintenance
Outdoor acrylic tennis court surfaces are relatively easy to maintain due to natural cleansing by rains. Problems may develop due to perimeter soil erosion causing the surface to be coated with dirt. Leaves, foodstuffs, pine needles, and sap from overhanging branches, and other materials could cause stains and should be removed.
Suggested care for outdoor acrylic tennis court surfaces is to keep the court clean by an occasional sweeping, in order that dirt and foreign particles do no get ground into the surface by foot traffic. Do not use bristle brooms, but nylon or hair type for sweeping.
During the tennis season the courts should be hosed with water periodically (once a month) and allowed to dry. Should there be any stain on the court, they may be removed by an application of a light cold-water detergent and scrubbed with a hair-type brush. Should mildew or mold form on the courts in shady areas, an application of diluted strength bleach (2 parts water: 1 part bleach) may be used to remove the fungus and retard its further growth. Where areas are treated, they should be rinsed off after a few minutes to remove surface contamination.
(Note: Fungus grows on surfaces contaminated by foodstuffs, soft drinks, and decay. Acrylic coatings do not support fungus growth.)
A repair of minor and/or hairline cracks is a maintenance function. Manufacturers of acrylic surfaces generally make acrylic crack fillers in colors, which may be used to patch hairline cracks to retard their growth. In such cases, a small margin trowel or a putty knife applies the crack filler, and the edges of the crack are wiped clean with a cloth before the material dries. Filling the crack retards the penetration of moisture into the surface, which may be one of the causes of the crack increasing in size. If the cause of the crack is structural, it will reoccur and get larger each year regardless of filling.
We at M&M recommend that tennis court surfaces be resurfaced approximately every five years. This time element depends a great deal on use and/or abuse the tennis court receives. When tennis court surfaces are left for longer periods of time without care, they may need more expensive methods for restoration as opposed to simple resurfacing.
Please feel free to call on one of our consultants
for recommendations on the best restoration method
for the tennis court surfaces at your facility.
HAR-TRU
All Har-Tru surfacing materials
(as defined by the United States Tennis Court Builders
Association) are made up of a natural green granular
stone crushed to a near talcum powder consistency,
to which a chemical binder is blended to form a
homogenous mixture having an affinity for water.
This material comes in a variety of trade names. It is most commonly known as Har-Tru, Green Clay, Porous-Green or Fast-Dry.
However, by whichever name this material is called, Har-Tru surfaces require a certain amount of maintenance. We hope the following instructions will help you to have a better tennis court surface.
DAILY
After each day's play, the
court should be brushed with a 6 or 7 foot long
brush, dragging the brush across scuffs and the
tennis player's foot marks. After this has been
done, the court should then be thoroughly watered.
The amount of water required could best be determined
by the caretaker. Sufficient water should be applied
to keep the courts moist (dark green in color) from
one maintenance period to another. Har-Tru type
tennis courts by the very nature of their material
make up, require moisture to maintain a tight bonded
surface. If the courts are not watered properly,
they will tend to become light gray in color and
will scuff excessively.
WEEKLY
At least twice weekly and
after each rain, the courts should be thoroughly
rolled in a straight-line direction with a minimum
of twisting and turning. The proper weight for a
roller is 500 to 600lbs. per single roll, or approximately
1,000lbs. per tandem roller. If the roller has a
tendency to push the material ahead of the rolling,
the court may be to wet or to dry. Many clubs prefer
daily rolling and some prefer rolling only weekly.
Each time the court is rolled it should be done
in the opposite direction. Porous-Green and/or Har-Tru
surfaces have a tendency to be soft for the first
year after construction. We, therefore, recommend
that they be rolled daily for this period of time.
Calcium Chloride is applied to the courts during spring conditioning and recommended at regular intervals in dry seasons. Applications should be four 100lb. bags per court every two weeks in continuous dry seasons. Calcium Chloride takes moisture out of the air and will hold moisture in the "Clay" or "Green" for longer, but not indefinite periods. Excess cracking shows a lack of calcium chloride content in the surface.
YEARLY
Professionals should do
this work. Once yearly, low areas or saucers-which
sometimes develop, usually around the base lines
should be filled in to proper grade. After determining
the areas to be filled, scarify the low area to
a depth of approximately 1/8-inch. Spread into this
area new material as required, and strike off excess.
Water, then roll the court. If the new material
tends to stick to the roller, cease rolling but
continue to water daily. Two weeks may be required
for the surface to bond. Always allow at least forty-eight
hours after new material has been applied to a court
before permitting play.
After turning the surface, top-dress each court with one to two tons of Porous Green. Apply material, brushing immediately behind spreader. Hand-water. Roll after material has set up but before it is completely dry. Install tapes and spread five bags of calcium chloride on each court.
NOTE
All "Har-Tru" type tennis courts have the tendency to be slow drying and soft during the first year of play. More rolling may be required during this period.
We feel the above will guide you towards a better tennis court.
Feel free to call on us with any problems, materials or accessories needed for your tennis courts.
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