As the weather warms up, it’s time to take the necessary steps to revive your sports court after the winter. During the winter months, many outdoor sports courts close or people simply don’t use them. As you get ready to start using your court again, you want to ensure that your court is ready for action and that any maintenance or repairs are taken care of.
Here’s what you need to know about how you can revive your sports court after the winter so that when it comes time to start practicing again, it’s safe, clean, and primed for use.
#1. Clean The Surface
Unless you used a court cover, you probably have a buildup of dirt and other such debris on your court. While you can regularly clean your sports court during the winter months in order to prevent this (as well as to keep snow and ice off your court), it’s still best to clean your sports court after the winter.
If you have any mold growth, this can create a slipping hazard for your players. If there are branches or rocks or the like on your court, players could trip on them. In addition to cleaning any debris, you also want to clean away any standing water.
Cleaning your sports court after winter makes it safer for your players, improves its appearance, and helps to prolong its lifespan.
#2. Inspect The Surface
Once you’ve cleaned your court, you’re ready to inspect it. During the winter months, the freeze-thaw cycles can lead to cracking in your court surface. They can also result in birdbaths, dipping, and heaving. You’ll want to make note of any repairs.
In order to prevent them from occurring again, it’s helpful to consult with a professional, as they will be able to provide you with insight as to what caused the damage in the first place and measures that you can take to prevent it.
#3. Take Care Of Any Repairs
After you’ve inspected your sports court after the winter, you’ll want to repair anything you noticed. The same as cleaning your court, this is important for the safety of your players and to keep your court in good condition for as long as possible.
While it may be tempting to put off repairs, ignored, they’ll only worsen and end up costing you more. You want to take care of repairs in a timely manner, especially if you have multiple cracks, as these can weaken the foundation of your court.
It’s important to note that even if you take stellar care of your sports court, it won’t last forever. Due to natural wear and tear from use and weather conditions, sports courts will need to be resurfaced every 4-8 years or so. Check out our previous blog, Does Your Court Need Resurfacing?, for more information on how to tell whether it’s time to have your court resurfaced.
#4. Put Your Equipment Back Up
You likely removed and stored your equipment somewhere safe and dry during the winter months to prevent damage from winter weather conditions. As you take your nets, windscreens, and the like out of storage, you’ll want to check them for any necessary repairs before you put them back up again.
If you did not store your equipment away during the winter, you’ll want to be extra sure that you inspect it. Freezing temperatures and the dampness from snow and ice can impact the integrity of your equipment. It can rust any poles and cause any paint, such as on a backboard, to peel. You also want to check your lighting and replace any burned-out or malfunctioning bulbs.
If necessary, you can order new equipment to ensure all is set with your sports court after winter.
#5. Resurface If Needed
Even if you’re careful to everything you need to to maintain your sports court after the winter and beyond, it will need to be resurfaced eventually. Before you embark on repairing damage to the court surface, it can be helpful to consult with a professional in order to determine whether or not this would be a waste of money. After all, if your court needs to be resurfaced, it’s best to just do that.
How often your court will need to be resurfaced depends on a variety of factors, such as its structure, the weather conditions in your area, how often it’s used, and how well it’s maintained.
Are You Getting Ready To Start Using Your Sports Court After The Winter?
Utah Court Surfacing is here to help! We provide professional sports court resurfacing services. Contact us today, and let us help you ensure that your court is ready for action.
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