Having sports courts is perfect for encouraging recreational or competitive sports games. The trick to ensuring that you get year-round use from them is by ensuring that you have a strict and throughout maintenance schedule that you adhere to.
Without an appropriate maintenance plan, your sports court will be a danger to use, and it will inevitably get damaged beyond repair.
By following these eight simple suggestions below, you can get the most from your court and give it the longest possible lifespan.
1. Daily Sweeping
All sports courts have to be swept daily, which is the most effective way of keeping them in a good, playable condition. This process needs to begin with someone checking the floor for loose tape or sticky substances, like candy or gum.
If they come across any of the above, they need to be removed using a putty knife or something similar. After the debris has been removed, use a microfiber mop designed for gym floors to sweep and dust the court for any other form of debris.
2. Daily Cleaning
After the court is swept, the next step is to clean it. To ensure that the court is thoroughly cleaned, mix two ounces of floor cleaner per gallon of cold water and have the court mopped.
This method works best when using the specific mop head designed for your type of synthetic sport court floor. Clean courts will lead to fewer injuries, like common sports injuries.
3. Rubber Flooring Tips
Rubber sport court flooring needs extra special maintenance tips added to the routine. These tips include things like;
Floor Mats
Use water hog floor mats at each entrance to the gym or court to keep moisture off of the sports floor.
Fit Mobile Equipment With Wheels
By fitting mobile equipment, such as ball cages or chairs, with wheels, you can prevent indents from forming on the rubber floor.
Dust Mopping
Rubber sport court floors need to be dusted mopped three times a day, so ensure that your janitor or maintenance person’s schedule is set to do this thrice daily routine. Avoid dust mops treated with commercial products – they will leave a residue.
4. Avoid Abrasive Cleaning Methods
When caring for your sport court flooring, ensure that you stay away from any abrasive cleaning products or methods. Examples include; caustic or acid-based cleaners, full-strength strippers, sandpaper, or steel wool. These will all cause severe damage to the court floors, especially the rubber ones.
Abrasive marks don’t only come from cleaners. To avoid scuff marks from developing, you need to ensure that only shoes with non-marking soles are allowed on the court.
5. Court Type
Proper court maintenance will come down to taking care of the court, all based on what type of court it is. There are several different types of courts. That means that there are multiple possible maintenance procedures to keep them in tip-top shape.
Hard Courts
Hard courts are typically made with concrete or asphalt. They are then coated with an acrylic coating or another variation to give it cushioning.
All courts get coated with acrylic paint. Hard courts need to be kept clean and free from debris, which means regular sweeping is necessary. Power-wash your hardcourt once or twice a year – that will keep it in good condition.
Clay Courts
Clay courts need to be swept and watered daily before use. These courts also need annual maintenance – this is a process that removes dead and loose materials, the court is then thoroughly scarified, and a top dressing is added.
After that is complete, the lines need to be re-painted, and the court rolled and swept thoroughly.
Artificial Grass Courts
These courts are usually filled in with a specific type of sand. The strands of fake grass will get matted down over time with use, which can cause a problem. Artificial grass courts have to be power swept annually and any debris removed from the infill and the strands. Sometimes, these types of courts can develop moss which will also need to be removed as part of the court maintenance.
6. Build Slope
Court maintenance is something you will need to learn to do annually, at the least. Fortunately, most court surfaces require very little time or effort to maintain – especially tennis courts.
If your court was built according to the guidelines set out by the American Sports Builders Association, the natural slope of the court will minimize the accumulation of water and debris on the floor.
Check that the perimeter drains around the court are not clogged by vegetation or other debris. That will create a dam of water around the edge of the court, and it will damage the floor in no time at all.
With the right build and a bit of annual maintenance, your court will provide you and your players with many years of enjoyment and happiness.
7. Don’t Neglect Your Court
If your court is built under heavy cover from trees and thereby has a lot of shade for most of the day, it can develop problems with mildew and even mold. If that happens, you must not ignore it.
Use a mixture of water and household bleach with a small amount of floor cleaner to spray or pour onto the affected area. Scrub well using an approved court brush and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
That method should help to destroy the mold and mildew and leave your court looking shiny and new.
8. Implement Court Rules
All sports courts need to be well looked after. Ensure that no bikes or skateboards are ever used on the courts, ban all food and non-water drinks, and ensure that only approved shoes are worn at all times.
It may seem a bit strict, but these rules will help your court to last a lifetime.
To End
Sports are a healthy way to encourage a competitive spirit amongst your players. Do your part to ensure everyone stays happy by keeping your sports courts maintained. That way everyone can enjoy year-round activities and games.