The common types of synthetic grass surfaced tennis courts are known as sand-filled artificial grass tennis courts. These surfaces are designed to cope with high traffic situations such as you would expect on a sporting surface. The hard-wearing nature of the surface means that it will be coping with compaction, adverse weather conditions and the occasional devastating impact.

Although sand filled artificial grass is designed to cope with these kinds of situations, periodic maintenance is essential to keep the tennis court both looking good and performing well. It is also necessary to ensure that the surface doesn’t become unreliable underfoot.

The following maintenance procedures may be necessary:

  • Removal of excess sand
  • Dragbrushing of the surface
  • Cleaning of the remaining sand
  • Spraying with a moss treatment
  • Lifting the surface pile
  • Grooming the surface

As the sand infill becomes increasingly compacted and a certain level of solidification becomes evident the performance of the court will rapidly deteriorate. Initially, the court may appear to be playing better as it appears to be more solid, giving a truer bounce, but as the surface will continues to harden and will become less reliable.

Another problem will be experienced with footing becoming treacherous. The sand build up and subsequent hardening in the pile of the artificial grass allows less traction and so slipping is more common, the court becomes faster than normal and more difficult to play.

If left unchecked there is often a further problem of algae and moss growth in the built up sand between the grass particles. Moss and algae control are really important particularly in milder conditions which encouraging growth. Once moss and algae become established control is really difficult. Carrying out moss spraying at least once a year is recommended.

Periodically, it is a good idea to give the artificial grass on your court a professional rejuvenation that involves removal of the built up excess sand, having the surface pile lifted and then grooming the artificial grass. The result will be a surface that looks as new as the day it was installed.

The level of sand in your synthetic grass court is important because an under-sanded court will suffer excessive foot wear and the pile will bend negating the traction abilities of the surface. Too much sand will result in unpredictable footing. You can find replacement sand to top up the court from places such as a wholesale landscape supply store.

So, yes, artificial grass tennis courts have fewer maintenance needs than a clay court or a grass court, but there are definitely maintenance requirements to consider. Specialist artificial grass maintenance companies are available to provide a thorough sand filled artificial grass treatment.