Padel Court Maintenance: A Complete Guide to Keeping Your Court in Top Condition

Detailed maintenance is essential to keeping your padel court in top condition, ensuring player safety, and extending the lifespan of your surface. This guide provides expert insights on routine upkeep, inspections, and professional maintenance to help you protect your investment and improve the playing experience.

What is the lifespan of a padel court?

On average, the lifespan of a padel turf is usually four to six years, depending on factors like usage, weather conditions, and maintenance schedule. However, it is possible to extend its lifespan through detailed maintenance regimes, increasing the return on investment for your padel court.

It is essential to follow a routine to stay on top of maintenance, as well as working with specialised maintenance companies for scheduled in-depth maintenance throughout the year.

Padel Court Inspections

Create and conduct an inspection plan to identify any signs of wear, tear, or damage early before they become a problem. It is important to look for:

• Damaged turf (seams coming loose, rips or tears in the surface, stains, and disease).
• Damaged or loose fence panels.
• Damaged or loose glass panels.
• Faults in the construction layer (uneven surface, drainage issues, etc.).
• Safety issues in the surrounding infrastructure (canopies, toilets, pathways, clubhouse).
• Net posts, net and net tape integrity.

Padel Court Maintenance Schedule

Debris & Litter Removal

One of the most common maintenance tasks is removing litter and debris left by court users. Cigarette butts, leaves, wrappers, and other waste can be removed manually with a brush with nylon bristles or a blower, ensuring the sand infill is not disturbed.

Any tree leaves or organic matter must be removed to prevent disease from entering and damaging the playing surface. This can be done with a soft brush or a rake with plastic, rubber, or nylon bristles.

If you’re unsure what equipment is safe to use, please consult a professional maintenance company.

Floodlighting Checks & Maintenance

An efficient, bright floodlighting system is essential for year-round play and ensuring a pleasant playing experience for all players. The main checks for any floodlighting system should include:

• Damaged LED bulbs (not working or flickering).
• Inspecting the lighting columns for rust or damage.
• Ensuring the lighting fixtures are free of damage and clean.

Padel Glass & Fence Maintenance

Checking the integrity of the fencing and glass structure is paramount to ensuring the facility is safe for players. The most important checks include:

• Missing, loose, or damaged screws or bolts.
• Cracked, broken, or loose glass panels.
• Loose or defective fence posts or panels.

If you have covered courts with a canopy, it is also important to perform visual checks on the structure for any obvious defects.

How often do i need to clean the glass on a padel court?

The frequency of cleaning the glass on a padel court depends on several factors, including location, weather conditions, and how often the court is used. Generally, here are some guidelines:

• Courts in frequent use (daily or several times a week) should have their glass cleaned once a week or at least every two weeks.
• Courts used less frequently can have their glass cleaned once a month.

If a court is outdoors and exposed to the elements, more frequent cleaning may be necessary, your visual inspections will provide a good indication of when cleaning is needed.

To clean the glass, you can either hire a professional window/glass cleaning company or use a non-abrasive glass cleaning solution with a microfiber cloth. Certain outdoor courts may also require watering, depending on the condition of the glass.

Padel Turf Maintenance

As previously mentioned, a dedicated padel turf maintenance program can significantly extend its lifespan, ensuring more years of play.

• Brush the turf with a specialised brush to keep the fibers upright, reducing the risk of damage.
• Redistribute or replace the sand infill as needed.
• Check seam strength and consult a professional for repairs if required.
• Remove any weeds, moss, or algae buildup around the turf.

While most of the activities mentioned in this guide can be carried out by yourself or a facility manager, it is also extremely important to implement specialised maintenance to maximise the lifespan of your playing surface. A visit from a maintenance provider once or twice a year could include:

• Brush deep clean.
• Glass and fencing safety checks (replacing any bolts, seals if required).
• Floodlighting checks.
• Seam checks.
• Moss & weed treatment.
• Net functionality checks.
• Infill monitoring.

Padel Court Resurfacing

Over time, even with regular maintenance, a padel court will experience wear and tear that affects playability and safety. Knowing when to resurface is key to maintaining a high performing playing surface.

When to Consider Resurfacing

You may need to resurface your padel court if you notice:

• Worn or flattened turf – The fibers no longer stand upright, affecting ball bounce and underfoot feel/stability.
• Seam damage or lifting – Loose seams or torn sections.
• Sand infill displacement – Uneven sand distribution, even after brushing, can lead to inconsistent play.

Padel Court Resurfacing Process

A professional resurfacing service will include:

• Removal of the old turf.
• Inspect the existing base layer, and make repairs where necessary.
• Install the new turf.
• Reapply sand infil.

Padel Court Sand/Infill Replacement

Sand maintenance is crucial for the longevity and playability of a padel court. Over time, sand can become compacted or displaced, affecting ball bounce and shock absorbtion. Regular sand top-ups and full replacements help maintain the court’s performance over time.

How Much Sand Does a Padel Court Need?

A padel court requires approximately 2,500 to 3,000 kg (2.5 to 3 tons) of silica sand when first installed. Over time, sand gets displaced due to play and weather conditions, so periodic top-ups are necessary to maintain optimal levels.

How to Install Sand on a Padel Court

1. Ensure a Clean Surface – Before adding new sand, remove any debris or old contaminated sand if replacing it completely.
2. Spread the Sand Evenly – Distribute the sand across the court a rotary spreader or shovels. Start with a uniform layer covering the turf.
3. Brush the Sand Into the Turf – Use a power brush or a drag mat to work the sand into the artificial grass fibers. This helps stabilise the surface and prevents shifting.
4. Repeat Brushing – After a few days of play, brush the court again to ensure even distribution and to fill any low spots.

If you’re looking for support on replacing the sand on your padel court, speak with our expert maintenance team for a free consultation.