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Repairing and Resurfacing
An Asphalt or Concrete Court Is Not Rocket Science,
It's Just Common Sense!
What Can Cause a Depression?
Settling of the gravel base below the surface may cause the asphalt to sag leaving unacceptable depressions on an asphalt or concrete sport surface.
How do you know whether to level a depression?
...If it bothers you, fix it!
What are the guidelines to know which depressions to fill and which to leave?
Let's put your surface into the proper perspective. You have a tennis court, not a pool table. The perfect tennis court has never been built (and never will). You'll never find a tennis court without some depressions. What you need to determine is which ones to fix (if any) and which ones are acceptable in accordance with published guidelines.
The United States Tennis Court and Track Builders Association (USTC & TBA) recommends:
Prior to application of a color finish system, the court surface shall be flooded with water and allowed to drain; then if remaining water covers a 5-cent coin in any area, that area shall be patched and levelled in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the color finish. (Note: if the standing water (puddle) does not cover the coin, it is considered within tolerance and will evaporate within a reasonable period of time). Reflooding may be necessary until "birdbaths" are minimized.
Where to Begin?
After a rainfall (or flood the court with a sprinkler) let the court thoroughly dry (minimum 2 hours) and then decide which areas you want to level.
Let's identify the puddle areas
After you have determined the depressions to fix, use chalk to mark the court around the edge of each puddle to be leveled. Marking the perimeter edge of the puddles will allow you to see exactly where you have to level after the water has been removed from the puddle areas.
Note: For minor depressions that will not be leveled, it is strongly recommended to keep a
Water Remover hanging on the court fence as a quick and simple way to disperse minor puddles after a rainfall.
Leveling Depressions
What product do I use for leveling the depressions?
MultiCover, an asbestos-free, 100% acrylic latex emulsion with pre-mixed silica sand (when applied as a base-coat) is formulated for on-site mixing with additional silica sand, portland cement and suficient water to a create a trowel grade consistency when used as a patching mix.
Container Size: 5-gallons
Coverage Rate: approximately 25 sq. ft. 1/4" deep
Curing time: 1-3 days depending on temperature and humidity
MultiCover is primarily used without further addition of sand or cement as a complete resurfacer base coat. (See
Applying a Base-Coat).
Surface Preparation
Surface must be cleaned entirely of dust, dirt, mildew (if any), debris and all loose materials including vegetation. New asphalt must cure for 21 days before commencing repair or coating applications. Unless the surface is new, it is strongly recommended to thoroughly power wash the entire surface with special emphasis on cleaning the black areas within the depressions. Repair of cracks within the patch area must be completed prior to leveling (See
Treating Cracks).
Patching Mix
| MultiCover |
10-gallons |
| Silica Sand (#20-#40 mesh) AFS angular |
40 lb. |
| Portland Cement (mix with water before adding) |
1-gallon (dry) |
| Water |
1-gallon |
(always mix cement thoroughly with water before adding to patch mix)
Mixing Instructions
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Thoroughly mix MultiCover. Add sand while continuing to mix.
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Mix cement thoroughly with a small amount of water (to make a liquid cement mix), then pour into batch after sand has been added.
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Add only enough water to obtain trowel-grade workability
Patch Application
This application will require a "screed" or straight-edge (1" x 3" board) no longer than 6" greater than the widest part of each patch and should be on-hand before beginning the patch mix. Do not apply patch material greater than 1/4" deep at one time. Patches are to be done in successive lifts, allowing curing time between each lift, usually 1-3 days depending on temperature and humidity.
DO NOT BEGIN IF RAIN IS IMMINENT OR FORECAST WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
Deposit mixed patch material in the center of the depression and use the straight-edge to screed the material across the depression to the chalk lines placed around the depression. Remember, the patch is not to exceed 1/4" in depth. Apply successive 1/4" lifts until patch is flush with surface at the chalk mark. Feather the edges of the final lift with a paint brush from the outside into the patch to assure a smooth feathered edge. Allow to cure.
Fine Tuning of Patch
Due to the addition of Portland cement, shrinkage cracks will likely appear. Apply MultiCover with the addition of 40% water (standard base-coat mix). Pour over patch and spread with squeegee to fill in shrinkage cracks. Allow to dry and then scrape. Repeat process until a smooth satisfactory patch has been obtained.
Larger Depressions
The exact same procedure will apply, except you will require two people to use the screed. Larger batches will have to be prepared.
Coloring A Patch
Coloring the patch will prevent the patch from showing through the two coats of color when finished. It is recommended to apply a coat of the same color the specific patch area will be when finished. This is usually done with a paint brush and just prior to the color applications beginning.
Clean Up:
Wash tools with water. If material has dried, use kerosene.
Cautions:
- Read the container label before using. Follow label instructions.When applying, surface temperature must be a minimum of 50 degrees F. (10C) for a minimum of 24 hours. Do not apply if overnight temperatures drop to below 50 degrees F (10C). Do not apply if surface temperature exceeds 135 degrees F. (57C)
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Do not apply if night temperature will be dropping below 50 degrees F. Depending on the depth of the cracks, you may require two or three days and nights with surface temperatures in excess of 50 degrees F. for the waterbased crack fillers to thoroughly dry.
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Do not apply when rain is imminent or forecast
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When applying indoors, use with adequate ventilation during application and drying
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Close containers when not in use
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Do not store in direct sunlight or where temperature may exceed 100 degrees F.
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KEEP FROM FREEZING
Please contact us if you have any questions about the resurfacing process described above and not answered by the above application guidelines. Your input is welcomed and greatly appreciated.
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