Welcome to Copeland Corner, a feature with our official sponsor, Copeland Coating Co., Inc. Copeland, whose roots date back to 1945, both manufactures and installs court surfaces. As a one-stop shop, they are uniquely positioned to help tennis facilities looking for affordable ways to renovate their courts.
In this installment, we talk with Michael Edgerton, a senior project manager with Copeland and a Certified Tennis Court Builder who offers five simple tips for how to keep your courts in top shape and ensure they’re ready for the outdoor season.
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Copeland employees repair a crack with the company’s Action Pave acrylic court binder.
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1. Remove debris: It sounds obvious, but it’s important. Make sure to keep the court clean of debris, by removing leaves and branches. Vegetation on the court can promote the development of mold and mildew beneath the surface.
2. Check for cracks and puddles: Examine the court for any cracks or puddles. During the warmer months, a hard court should dry on its own about 45 minutes after a storm. Make sure to hire a company to repair the surface before it worsens.
3. Schedule a powerwash: Mold and mildew can quickly grow and damage a court surface. To prevent growths, hard courts should be powerwashed every two years. But after a storm, make sure to check your court for any green (mildew) or dark (mold) growth. If you see anything, hire a professional to powerwash the court and avoid further damage.
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| Powerwashing a court. |
A court before and after powerwashing. The dark mold (left) is removed by powerwashing (right).
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4. Inspect poles and net: Check the net and center-strap, and make sure the crank on the net posts is working. If it’s not, it may need to be lubricated. But be careful: bees can sometimes live in poles, so use repellent in the pole to avoid any issues.
5. Let the nets and windscreens rest: When the court is not in use, loosen the crank to reduce the net tension. If you know there will be sustained winds for a period of time, take down the windscreens. Otherwise, the screens may act as sails and damage the fence.
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Did you know the average public tennis court needs to be resurfaced every five to seven years? Don’t wait. Call today! Contact Copeland Coating at 1-800-303-4219 to schedule a free consultation.
Don’t forget to mention that you read about Copeland on USTA Eastern’s website! |