Weekly and Monthly
DAILY MAINTENANCE
Watering
shcedule:
Zone 1 & 2 (Below ground system) 20 minutes at mid-day. Play can continue
while being watered.
Zone 3 (Above ground sprinklers) 10 minutes at 7:30 in the evening.
A. MORNING
1.Inspect and repair any surface damage. If baseline areas require divot
repair, lute and re-dress as
necessary.
2.Remove any weed growth problems or foreign debris from the surface.
3.Inspect tapes and nails for lifting or shifting.
4.Groom the surface with a Drag Brush. Make wide turns with the
drag brush to avoid accumulation of Har-Tru material.
5.Sweep the line tapes. Ensure that the line tape area beneath the net
line has been swept. The Line
Scrub may be required to remove any surface material that adheres to the
line tape.
6.Roll the surface if necessary. Avoid twisting and turning motions that
cause surface damage. As the
frequency of rolling is increased, the following results are achieved to
a greater extent up to a point
of diminishing return:
1.Moisture is retained in the surface profile for a longer period of time.
2.The surface becomes firmer and faster.
3.The rate at which "dead material" accumulates decreases.
4.The potential for surface erosion decreases.
7.Sweep the line tapes after the surface has been rolled for a cleaner
looking line (optional).
8.Ensure that the net and center strap are set correctly.
9.Clean off benches that are on or near the tennis court. If these items
are
kept on the court during the season, move them and groom the surface below
on a regular basis.
10.Wash out the Tennie Two-Step on daily basis if possible.
11.Inspect windscreens.
12.Ensure that the Line Sweeper, Scarifiers and Drag Brush are stored properly
and do not
pose a hazard to players.
B. MID-DAY
The main
objective of mid-day maintenance is to ensure the tennis courts look and
play as well in the late
afternoon
as they do in the morning. How this objective is accomplished depends on
the following factors:
1.The time available for completion.
2.The existing and forecast weather conditions; temperature, cloud cover
and relative humidity.
3.The amount of moisture in the surface profile.
4.The existing court conditions given the amount of play that morning.
5.The forecast reservation hours for the remainder of the day.
Those with
experience understand how tennis playing conditions could be adversely
affected if the
requirements
for quality control are not met during a maintenance period on a hot afternoon.
Always
forecast
and schedule (in advance) adequate time for proper maintenance given existing
conditions.
The ideal
situation would be for maintenance time to be such that the courts could
be brushed, the lines
swept
and the surface watered properly, leaving time available for any surface
water to drain before the
courts
re-open for play. The moisture level in the court profile should remain
adequate until the next
maintenance
period.
C. EVENING
The main
objectives of evening maintenance are adequate brushing and thorough watering
to ensure
quality
playing conditions for the following day.
1.Brush in alternate directions if possible, particularly around the baseline
area, to smooth the surface
prior to watering. Alternate the direction of brushing on a nightly basis.
2.Water the court in a cycling method to accomplish a uniform and thorough
watering during the
course of an evening with as little run-off of water as possible. The proper
timing of watering cycles
is best determined by observation. The ideal situation would be for the
court profile to retain
adequate moisture until the next maintenance period.
7.0 WEEKLY COURT EVALUATION
1.Inspect surface material for any build-up that needs to be removed; particularly
along the net-line. A
Lute/Scarifier, scoop shovel and a wheelbarrow may be required.
2.Inspect the court surface for any types of algae, grass, lichens, moss
or weed problems that may
require physical removal or chemical treatment. Total algae control is
best achieved by the following
guidelines A through G:
A. Agitate all low play areas of the tennis court periodically with the
Proline Steel Drag Mat, a
Lute/Scarifier or the Lee Tow Scarifier. Do not pull these tools over the
line tapes.
B. If a growth appears, a surface treatment of dissolved soluble spa chlorine
(Di-Cloro-S) should
be applied. A solution of one cup of spa chlorine mixed with forty gallons
of potable water should
be prepared. Wait five to ten minutes, then re-mix the solution. This solution
should be sprayed on a
dry court, and the growth area should be sprayed heavily. Spray four to
eight feet beyond any
visible growth.
C. If a sprayer is unavailable, granulated chlorine, or a pre-emergent
herbicide (Treflan) can be
applied over the areas of growth and watered in by hand.
D. Allow 24 hours for the chlorine to kill the growth problem. Follow up
by scraping the dead
growth off the court and disposing of the growth properly.
E. Stay on top of growth problems by constant observation and preventive
maintenance practices.
F. Consult your local county agricultural cooperative extension agent prior
to the purchase and
application of any chemicals.
3.Periodic leveling/smoothing of the court surface may be required, particularly
in areas of heavy play.
The Lee Proline Drag Mat is designed to deliver a super leveling effect
when used in conjunction
with the Proline Drag Brush. The best time of day for smoothing
the surface is during the afternoon. Do not pull the drag mat over the
line tapes.
4.Periodic observation of the irrigation heads while the system is running
is the best preventive
measure to ensure thorough and even water distribution.