Should Tennis Nets Be Taken Down In The Winter?
It is always a sad moment when tennis club officials announce when the tennis court nets will be removed for Winter. Of course, the opposite is true when Sprung breaks forth, and the nets are reattached and back up.
If the tennis court is situated in a part of the country which experiences harsh conditions during Winter, it is best practice to store the tennis nets indoors. If the conditions are not excessive, and tennis might be played during Winter, unwind the nets to reduce the pressure.
There are varying schools of thought regarding removing tennis court nets for Winter. If the winters are very harsh and cold with high winds, storing the nets inside will reduce their wear on them, increasing the estimated lifespan.
The Best Practice For Looking After Nets During The Winter
If the winters are very cold, wet, and icy, removing the tennis court nets for the Winter months is preferable.
If the weather is not too harsh, it may be necessary to loosen the nets somewhat to relieve their tension.
In either instance, to cater for any warmer and drier days that pop up once in a while and which may be interspersed with the Winter chills, and If there is more than one tennis court, one net on a hard court could always be left up, possibly at a lower tension.
If this process is followed, the one net left out will look distinctly more worn after a few years. The cords will look more frayed, and the vinyl will be split and cracked compared to the nets stored inside during Winter.
If there is a limited budget, and with most smaller clubs, this is the case, the economics of storing a net inside makes sense.
Storing the net indoors is definitely the best method, but it is only feasible if there is a guarantee that no one will be playing tennis over Winter.
In areas with very harsh winter conditions, this is a relatively easy decision to make; however, where the Winter months are interspersed with a week or two of good weather and where tennis can be played, it is less simple.
Practical if you’re sure you won’t be using it yet, so consider your options before making a decision.
Where Should ATennis Court Net Be Stored?
Tennis court nets are designed to be used, and the ideal place is tensioned between the two poles on the tennis court.
If the nets are being taken down because of the forecasted winter weather, they need to be stored correctly to ensure that they stay in great condition.
Ideally, the room they are stored in should have the following characteristics.
- It should be ventilated, and air should be able to move around the room.
- The room must be warm and dry with no roof, window, or door leaks.
- The room must be clear of all rodents to prevent the net from being eaten during Winter.
- The room should be regularly checked for rodents throughout the storage period.
- Depending on where in the world the area is, it might be important to ensure sufficient door security to ensure the net does not get stolen over Winter.
If the net was taken down after a rainstorm, or other precipitation events, it must be dried before being folded up and stored.
Why Do Tennis Nets Wear Faster In Winter?
There are several reasons why tennis nets wear faster in Winter.
The following failure points begin to appear in climates with very harsh winter weather.
- If water freezes and becomes ice, the net strands begin to cut into the nylon when it becomes ice.
- Nylon covering will also get nicks from ice.
- Tied in with the summer months when the sun’s Ultra Violet rays fade and degrade the nylon.
- If there is a rare sunny day following a very wet, icy day, the combination can speed up the wear rate on the tennis court net.
Most tennis court nets will last at least five years, irrespective of the conditions they are exposed to. If the budget allows for replacement in this timeframe, the weather conditions they are exposed to are irrelevant.
It is strongly recommended that the nets be stored inside during the harsh Winter months if the budgeted replacement period is every ten years,
What Else Need To Be Done To Prepare For Winter?
While it is frustrating to not be able to play tennis in Winter in some parts of the country, packing the net away is a great opportunity to check the state of the tennis court and carry out any maintenance which may need to be done.
Areas to focus on are listed below.
Check All Metal And Steelworks
Check the following metal/steel items.
Metal Boundary Fence
Ensure the boundary fence is still intact and has not been compromised.
- Take a walk around the court and check the boundary fences to ensure they are still whole and that there are no holes.
- While checking the boundary fence, there are no gaps between the court surface and the fence.
- Check for rust
Check The Tennis Net Poles
Ensure the net tennis poles remain intact and securely attached to the floor.
Check The Umpires Chair And Grandstands
Carefully check all metal furniture for corrosion or rust.
Check The Tennis Court Surface
Check the following issues on the tennis court surface.
Check The Integrity Of The Surface
Carefully examine the tennis court surface for any imperfections or cracks which may have started during the summer months.
If cracks have developed, these should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the ingress of water under the court and ultimately cause widespread damage.
Removing any leaves and then washing the surface is a good idea. Wet the surface and clean the court, and while doing so, check that the water is draining properly and that there is no excessive pooling.
Excessive pooling may indicate that low spots are developing, which should be immediately attended to.
Check The Tennis Court Lines
If necessary, check and repaint the tennis court’s marking.
Check The Tennis Courts Electronics
If the tennis court has night lighting or other electrical devices, the beginning of Winter is a great opportunity to ensure that the wiring and connections are still in order.
Conclusion
It is not essential for tennis court nets to be removed in Winter, but it does reduce their wear, particularly in areas with high wind forces and very cold icy weather. In these conditions, you can expect to double the life of a tennis court net by taking them for Winter storage.
