Pickleball Court Maintenance: How to Clean Your Court

Pickleball Court Maintenance | Racket Royalty

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As any pickleball player can tell you, having a clean, well-maintained court is essential for playing your best game. After all, no one wants to try and hit a ball in the middle of a pile of leaves or deal with an errant dandelion sticking out of the ground. 

A good pickleball court maintenance routine will ensure that your court looks great and plays even better. Read on to find out how to keep your court in top shape! 

5 Steps to Pickleball Court Maintenance

Pickleball court maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult. But it does require some regular care and attention in order to ensure that you’re getting maximum enjoyment out of every game you play!

The maintenance will be different depending on your type of court (clay, concrete, grass, etc) but we’ve put together a list of items to stay on top of. 

1. Repairing Cracks 

A cracked court can be both unsightly and dangerous, so it’s important to repair cracks as soon as they appear. To fill in small cracks, simply use an appropriate concrete filler material and follow the directions on the package carefully. 

For larger cracks, it’s best to call in a professional who has experience with racquet courts, or other hard surfaces. 

They can assess the situation properly and make sure that your cracks are filled correctly without further damaging your pickleball court

repairing-cracks

2. Cleaning Up Debris                                      

Pickleball courts can quickly become overrun with debris if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Leaves, branches, sticks—all this stuff has no place on your pickleball court

Make sure you sweep away any debris from your court after storms or heavy winds come through town. This will help prevent clumps from forming on your surface which could cause players to slip or trip during their games. 

Additionally, check for items like rocks or stones that may have been brought onto the court by foot traffic. These should be removed right away before someone gets hurt when trying to play a shot around them! 

sweeping-debris

3. Freshen Up Your Lines 

The lines on your court are essential for game play so it’s important that they stay fresh and visible. This can be done by investing in a line maker or a line cleaner – a tool specifically designed to keep your lines looking sharp and crisp. 

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Whether you do this yourself or hire someone else to do it for you will depend on how often you plan on playing pickleball. If you’re playing every day then having someone come out every few months can help keep your lines looking great all year round. 

If you’re doing the lines yourself, make sure you know the standard pickleball court dimensions.

4. Weeding and Mulching 

One of the most important aspects of maintaining a pickleball court is keeping weeds at bay. No one likes trying to hit a ball around or over an intrusive dandelion or thistle. 

The best way to keep weeds from infiltrating your court is by regularly weeding and mulching. Pull up any weeds that show up as soon as possible, then lay down fresh mulch over the entire surface of the court every few months. 

This will help suppress weed growth while also helping reduce soil erosion and moisture loss from the surface of the court. 

5. Check Your Net Height 

It might not seem like a big deal but having your net set at the correct height can make a huge difference when it comes time to actually play! 

The pickleball net should be exactly 34 inches in height at its center post. If it’s lower than that then shots will go over too easily and if it’s higher then shots will hit the net.

So make sure you check the pickleball net height before each game. 

a diagram showing the proper height of a pickleball net compared to a tennis net

What Kind of Paint is Used on Pickleball Courts?

When sprucing up a pickleball court, we always go for 100% acrylic paint. It’s awesome because it’s tough, gives you good grip, blocks out UV rays, and can handle all sorts of weather.

Plus, you can pick from loads of colors to make the court your own. You start with either an asphalt or concrete base, clean it up, fix any cracks, maybe roll on a primer, and then get down to painting with that vibrant acrylic.

Sometimes, we add a sealant on top to keep everything looking fresh for as long as possible. It’s like giving your court a little armor against the elements and heavy play!

What is the best floor for pickleball?

The “best” floor for pickleball can depend on a few factors, like whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors, your budget, and personal preference for playing comfort and ball bounce. Here are a few top choices:

  1. Concrete: Outdoor courts often use concrete because it’s durable and offers a consistent bounce. It can be tough on the joints over time, though.
  2. Asphalt: Another common choice for outdoor courts. It’s a bit more forgiving than concrete but can wear down faster.
  3. Acrylic Surface Coatings: Applied over concrete or asphalt, these coatings can improve playability by enhancing grip and reducing the strain on players’ bodies. They also come in various colors, allowing for customization.
  4. Modular Suspended Surface Tiles: These are great for both indoor and outdoor use. They’re designed to reduce joint stress and are durable and low-maintenance. Plus, water drains through them easily, making them a good choice for all-weather play.
  5. Wooden Flooring: Often used in indoor facilities, wood provides excellent bounce and is easier on the joints than concrete or asphalt. However, it requires more maintenance and can be expensive.
  6. Rubber Flooring: This is another option for indoor courts, offering excellent cushioning and shock absorption. It’s particularly friendly to joints and can make falls a bit less daunting.

Conclusion

Pickleball court maintenance doesn’t have to be a chore. With just a few simple steps you can keep it looking great all season long! Regular cleaning, updating equipment, marking lines, and checking net heights all contribute to creating an ideal environment for quality pickleball games. 

This way you can focus on enjoying yourself instead of worrying about what condition it’s in! So get out there today and start taking care of your favorite spot for pickleball fun.

#Author

Lauren Chervinksi | Author at Racket Royalty

Lauren Chervinski

Lauren Chervinski is an experienced entrepreneur, former nurse and pickleball enthusiast. With a passion for the sport that inspired her to begin her own pickleball website Racket Royalty, she has become a trusted source of information for others looking to learn more about this fairly new sport.
Lauren
FAQs

Frequently Ask Questions

Can pickleball paddles get wet?

Yes, most pickleball paddles can get wet. However, paddle handle grip tape is often made of a tacky coating that will start to get really sticky if it is exposed to too much water.

If your paddle gets REALLY wet, it could warp and become difficult to use.

Will rain ruin your pickleball equipment? How does water affect pickleballs?

Pickleballs are made of hard plastic that is not affected by water, so they are safe to get wet.

As mentioned above, the handle of your paddle could get sticky when wet. As well, some nets will rust, sag, or loosen with rain. If you have a portable net set-up, it’s best to cover it or take it down in rainy weather.

How long do pickleball courts take to dry?

Depending on the court surface, pickleball courts are useable almost immediately after it stops raining, but you can wait an hour to be extra safe.

The biggest danger is slipping on the slick court surface from the rain, but this is usually only a problem on clay or soft carpet courts.

How long after rain can you play pickleball?

You can play pickleball immediately after it rains, but it’s best to wait an hour just to be safe.

Can playing pickleball in the rain cause injuries?

Yes, playing pickleball in the rain can cause injuries, but it’s not a huge issue if you’re extra careful.

Most injuries caused by playing pickleball in the rain are minor, like scrapes and bruises from slipping, but they could be more serious if you take a bad tumble or trip due to low visibility from the rain.

How to avoid injuries when playing pickleball in the rain?

To avoid injuries when playing pickleball in the rain, be sure to use extra caution when playing a match. Wear proper footwear (pickleball shoes), be sure the surface isn’t slick or slippery, and check to make sure the visibility is strong.

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