Why is My Tennis Court Developing Cracks Under the Net?
Category : Uncategorized
Cracks in your asphalt or concrete tennis court are expected because of natural wear and tear and aging. The damage can be accelerated without proper care and maintenance. Cracking can occur anywhere around the court, but when there is sudden cracking underneath the tennis net without any other signs elsewhere, this becomes more of a technical and foundational issue.
Cracking underneath the net can occur for a couple different reasons.
- There is a problem with the footing where the posts are set
- The net cable for the net creates excessive stress
Let’s explore the two scenarios and how to move forward with these types of crack repairs.
There’s a Problem with the Footing
Footings of the tennis net are the foundation for your posts built underground where the nets are secured. A properly designed footing will have a wider base to help resist upward movement and flat sides to provide maximum ground support under tension. For hard courts, footings should have a round top to prevent cracking at the surface.
If there are early and premature signs of cracking near your net, this would be the first investigation. If you address the problem early on, you can have a professional come out to fill in the cracks and recommend additional repairs or recommendations to maintain the quality of your court. Feel free to contact Varsity Courts for further questions.
The Net Cable is Creating Too Much Stress
In a corresponding problem with the footing and net posts, the cable that pulls the net taut may be the cause for the cracking. The tension on net cables is recommended to be between 400 and 450 lbs. Older products with an external winch are subject to individuals cranking the net too tight, causing an effect over time where posts will lean or the footing becomes loose because of the excessive pressure and force.
When a net cable is too tight and not addressed over time, tennis play can be affected because of how the ball hits the net and drops, making it different from other standard nets. A net that is too tight may also be the root cause for the cracking. If caught early, the footing and net can be reinstalled and the cracks repaired with less overhead cost than resurfacing the entire court or a large section of it.
Best Recommended Tennis Court Crack Repair in Orlando
Depending on the size and severity of the cracking there are a few options to having your tennis court back to pristine condition. If the cracks appear to be minimal and you are comfortable doing it yourself, there are several crack repair systems on the market to assist you. The most reliable option to repair these cracks is to call a local professional in the Orlando area. With the repair, a Varsity Court professional can also assess any additional damage to footings, posts and the net itself. The final option for more severe cracking is to consider a full resurface. Again, it’s best to inquire about the best recommendation to save everyone time and money.
Locally owned and operated for over three decades, Varsity Courts Inc. has been in the business of tennis court and construction and repair since we built our first courts in 1977. We are proud members of the American Sports Builders Association and have been in good standing for over 30 years.
Call us any time at 407-602-6168 to discuss how we can best service your tennis court. Visit our contact page for further options.
