restricted environment is not necessarily needed to promote moss development. Mosses can be difficult to successfully kill and remove. Moss spores are always present and can quickly regenerate after cleansing if the right removal and preventative measures are not taken. Mosses invariably out-compete other vegetation where growing conditions are dank and shady with poor nutrient qualities. I often see problems with water draining onto the playing surface from surrounding areas. Alternatively, because of poor levels within the court, water is directed into one or two main areas which become clogged at a faster rate, often encouraging moss development problems.
The colouring materials used to paint the play areas within a court erode over time (between four and eight years), as constant play and the effect of repetitive maintenance will scour away the paint.
The importance of site investigations
The STRI can undertake a site investigation on tarmac or polymer- based courts, and give advice on the best way to manage their maintenance needs. There are many aspects that must be identified and considered to help determine the best way forward with maintenance. We need to look at general court condition, safety aspects, the influence of the surrounding area, drainage rates, analysis of current maintenance practices and site security. Once the information is considered, a full maintenance programme can be produced.
Maintenance considerations
A successful maintenance programme will include: • Routine debris removal
• Appropriate measures (if possible) to reduce contaminants finding their way on to the court
• Improvement of light and air qualities surrounding the court
• Annual renovation cleaning (appropriate pressure washing)
• Chemical control and prevention of live contaminates (mosses, grass and broad-leaved weed matter, tree roots and suckers)
• Provision for colour coat and line marking replacement
• Upkeep of the court furniture, to include fencing and nets
Pressure washing
Pressure washing to remove the moss and algae that forms throughout the year is the most common maintenance operation. It is not a case of using a basic pressure washer as you would to clean your car. The depth of the contamination and large surface area can make it hard to wash even a single court correctly. There are more sophisticated, successful ways to pressure wash. Some contractors offer multi-head washing units that cover
ground quickly and, set in the right sequence, remove most of the contaminates. Steam cleaners are not advised.
Light, frequent maintenance
Brushing is regularly practised by many, but may not be as effective as you may think in the long-term. Brushing will break apart debris such as leaves and soil causing it to infiltrate the permeable surface. Over time, this action can drastically reduce drainage and infiltration rates, leading to more severe and frequent secondary problems with moss and algae. Blowing the debris off the surface is preferred, and will prevent depositing debris deep into the pores of the tarmac. Prevention is always better than cure and so anything that can be done to minimise debris movement onto the surface is worth investing time in, e.g. pruning planted areas and trees, covering loose soil areas as well as weaving solid fence material into the lower chain fences to stop dust blowing onto the surface.
Chemical usage
Using chemical agents for moss, algae and plant material control is not as straightforward as one might think. There are only a handful of approved chemicals that can be used on artificial surfaces. Choosing, applying and working with pesticides within government legislation must be managed successfully. Damage to the surface, surrounding environment, users and/or legal problems may result if proper practice is not followed. The pesticide product must be classified for use by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) for use on “Hard Surfaces” that are defined as “manmade impermeable surfaces that are not intended to bear vegetation”. Consultation should also take place with the installers of the surface to find out which products they allow for usage (especially important if within a warranty period). Court cleaning products
approved for use on tarmac tennis surfaces are as follows:
• Mosskillers • Degreasers • Broad-leaved herbicides
The majority of maintenance contractors will combine control and prevention products to remove moss/algal growth, stop it from returning for as long as possible as well as ensuring the materials that make up the court are not damaged. Some of the issues that can arise from using the wrong chemical agents include: staining, paint splitting or removal, failure to control problem moss/algae etc., loss of surface traction leading to safety risks, and unlawful use of non-approved agents.
Close-up shot of moss infestation
previously will help select the right product to control the right weed at the right time. Residual herbicides may offer longer-term control by sticking a coating of the active ingredient to the tarmac surface and within the pores. Sometimes, depending on the product, control can be in excess of two months, which is good considering the permeability of the material. Any chemical agents used on the surface must only be handled and
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Typical effects of accumulated wear - note the tarmac erosion
Degreasers
Degreasers are useful for courts that receive traffic pollution from nearby roads or industrial sites. This problem should be identified early on in court development and guarded against. Players will notice when the surface becomes slippery. Similar problems can be experienced with tree sap that drops from overhanging branches.
Plant matter control
Herbicides for pre-emergent or post- emergent control must be selected with care. The guidelines mentioned
An unusual sink hole at the rear of a court
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