ARTIFICIAL
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The industry needs to provide cost effective maintenance suggestions and solutions, along with proper working practices, machinery and services.
Maintaining artificial surfaces by SAM BREEDEN
WHAT to do about failed drainage on an artificial tennis court? That was the question that faced me, as facilities manager at my local tennis club, a few seasons ago. First line of approach was to contact the installers. “You need to pressure wash it 2250 psi should do” was the reply. So a suitable pressure washer was purchased and the next 44 hours of daylight were spent washing, sweeping, squeegying and barrowing tons of sludge and contaminated sand from the court. After the new sand, ordered through the installer, failed to arrive for the third time, the quarry was tracked down and sand was bought in for a fraction of the previously quoted price. At this point I realised that the installers guidelines for maintenance of their courts was woefully inadequate. Five years after a lottery grant had resurfaced the courts we were faced with spending half of our sinking fund on renovation. So I started to do some research into the problem. Firstly an effective way of keeping
organic debris out of the carpet was sought. After reading about Aerosweep of
Australia and their simple cleaning mats and, within weeks of seeing how effective, simple and easy to use they were, I agreed with the manufactures to become the U.K agent. Sweepfast Ltd was formed with the help of my long friend, David Reynolds, presently company secretary. With another four courts to clean an alternative was sought. Quotes were obtained for various renovation schemes and other clubs were contacted and visited. All quotes were outside the club’s budget, and also the quality of some restorations left me feeling I could do a better job; so we undertook the task. Developing a system that combined
rotary pressure cleaning and power brushing as we went along, we cleaned the remaining courts. A maintenance schedule was then devised to keep the courts clean and, after two seasons, the courts are still pristine. Now using commercially available machinery, as well as our own prototypes, we are confident that we have a system that will optimise the playability and life of these artificial surfaces, reducing the need for expensive renovations or
removing it all together. We see regular maintenance as the key to artificial surface management. Starting with the basics of removing organic debris, before it is trodden down into the pile, and brushing to keep the pile open and the infill mobile. Ideally the manufacturers should, by now, have maintenance schedules in place that work for all their surfaces. Sadly this is not the case, possibly because they feel efficient maintenance schedules could scare prospective purchasers away. An industry standard should be available. Club and facilities managers need to be made aware that these are not low maintenance surfaces. Right from day one after the installation maintenance should be planned ! We visit facililities that have cost
hundreds of thousands of pounds and yet no regular maintenance is in place on the surfaces! Drag brushing alone is not enough! The owners wonder why the drainage has failed and the area is covered with sludge and is waterlogged. Imagine what a swimming pool would be like if left exposed to the elements! After
Club and facilities managers need to be made aware that these are not low maintenance
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