Tennis Court Resurfacing
Recommendations Inspect overall surface conditions for peeling, divots, cracks, and color fading. During the winter months keep water from reaching any cracks to prevent expanding and damage. If surfaces are worn and the color is faded, consult your Authorized Plexipave Applicator about re-coating.
Plexipave recommends, "Resurfacing" your tennis court every 4-6 years depending on the amount of usage and environmental exposure. This resurfacing can range from a simple new color finish system to full asphalt overlay(s). It is recommended that the owner consult an Authorized Plexipave Applicator, professional engineer or architect.
The most common problem with asphalt tennis courts is cracking which is caused, in part, by the natural tendency of asphalt to shrink as it weathers and ages. In addition, asphalt loses its flexibility and becomes more brittle over time. Since outdoor courts are also exposed to weathering, including expansion and contraction caused by temperature extremes, cracking is inevitable.
Asphalt tennis courts crack more quickly than asphalt roads and parking lots because tennis courts do not benefit from the compressive kneading generated by traffic which helps to keep the asphalt pliable and, thereby, delay cracking.
Premature or extensive cracking may be caused by poor asphalt mix, poor site conditions, poor design, or by poor construction. Quality design and construction may minimize or delay cracking but cannot completely eliminate it. Once cracks appear it may be impossible to repair their cause, but it is not impossible to repair the crack itself. The majority of cracking is a result of old asphalt which has lost its ability to "flex" and the pavement "shrinks" therefore "tearing" apart. Some cracking may occur prematurely, in pavements less than 12 years old if there are "weak" paving joints, sub standard asphalt mix and or application, unstable base and or subbase materials.
Plexipave Maintenance & Repair Solutions
Plexipave manufactures a multitude of repair materials and systems for various sizes and types of cracks some lasting longer than others but even the very best system, material can only repair existing irregularities. Once a court begins to develop structural cracks, there is a very good chance the existing cracks will grow in width and length and more will develop over time.
When the lineal footage of cracks exceeds 150'-200' per court, and or the area of the crack interferes with the game, it is time to consider reconstruction, i.e. removal of the pavement or pulverization of the pavement, replacing the net post and adding new pavement, surface and color.
Overlays, the addition of new asphalt on top of old failed asphalt will result in new "failed" asphalt, the old cracks reflect through the new pavement within a year or two.
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