Expansive Cracking
Expansive cracking is a fairly common condition encountered in older tennis surfaces and is directly related to the expansive nature of the subsoil, degree of oxidation, atmospheric temperature variations, improper original construction and/or other causes including substrate movement or other acts of nature.

The use of various geotextile mats or membranes in conjunction with a hot plant mix asphalt overlay has been the successful method employed to bridge expansive cracking, but it should be stressed that this method is NOT consistently successful. Specifically, it should be stressed that NO method employed to bridge expansive cracking is consistently successful short of removing the existing surface and correcting the cause of the problem before installing a new one.

Birdbath/Depression

Wend resurfacing an existing tennis court or surfacing a new asphalt court, the entire surface is flooded with water to locate all major depressions, any birdbath exceeding 1/16” or the thickness of nickel is marked and then filled with a patch mix compound. In some cases we can only reduce the amount of standing water due the existing grade or the way the court is draining.

If a depression holds more then ¾” of water, the area must be excavated and repaved of filled with a hot mix asphalt.

Birdbaths
Any areas holding enough water to cover a five cent piece (American coin) after draining a minimum of one hour at a minimum of 70 degrees Fahrenheit in sunlight, should be outlined with chalk and the water swept out. After the area is cleaned and dried, a tack coat of suitable material must be applied to the entire area within the chalk-line.

Estimate the required quantity of the thin patching mixture to fill such “birdbaths.” Apply it to the area, and strike it off with a straight-edge the length of which is in excess of the dimensions of the “birdbath.” A proper strike-off will level such a birdbath to the same elevation as the surrounding surface. After the leveling operation, the patch should be allowed to cure properly.