During the school holidays last year, I spent time working at my family's manufacturing plant. They have a lot of industrial equipment, and I spent most of my time shadowing the maintenance manager. It was fascinating to see the amount of care and cleaning which goes into making sure all the machines run smoothly. I began this blog as a way to document the different types of maintenance I learned for two reasons. Firstly, because I aim to take over the family business one day, and also to share my knowledge with others who are interested in running their own manufacturing plant.
Part of proper tennis court care is to keep it cleaned properly so nothing damages the surface. Tennis courts can be made of "soft" materials, like clay, or "hard" materials such as concrete paving. Sweeping is the main method used to keep both types of courts free of loose debris so that you have a smooth playing surface.
1. Materials
Less abrasive materials are typically recommended for soft courts, which means super soft synthetics like silicone for large courts or soft natural materials like millet brooms for smaller courts. Wood or nylon bristle push brush styles are better suited to hard court surfaces as the bristles can really get into any irregularities to remove debris, but are typically considered too abrasive for soft courts.
2. Size
A standard tied broom is sufficient for a small home court. For larger public and private use courts, push broom styles are much more efficient to use. You can find the push broom styles in sizes as great as a metre long. Often, the greater the length of the broom head, the quicker and more efficiently you can get the court swept off and ready for game time.
3. Handle
When it comes to handles, the most acceptable materials are wood and metal. Avoid plastic handles, as these typically won't last long in the rigours of outdoor use and court maintenance. Handle styles also vary on court brooms. A standard stick handle is fine for smaller brooms that are used on single courts, but large broom heads used for multiple courts should have a push bar-style handle that connects to the brush head at either end. This provides more control and allows you to use the broom push-style more efficiently with two hands.
4. Parts
A quality broom is an investment, so you want it to have a long working life. Many court brooms come with replaceable parts. Since the brush head is typically the first to wear out, look for models that have removable and replaceable brush heads. Natural fibres tend to wear down most quickly, but even nylon and silicone bristles will eventually become ragged and less effective at cleaning. This is especially nice for the more costly bar handle court broom styles since you won't have to invest in a new handle each time the old broom head gets worn.
Contact a broom manufacturer to learn more about tennis court brooms and the options that are best for your court type and size.