Services / Sport court cleaning
Tennis, pickleball, and sport court cleaning
Sport court cleaning uses a low-pressure soft wash and a cleaning solution to lift algae and mildew from acrylic courts — a pressure washer strips the color coat and line paint in seconds, so we never use one on a court surface.
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Court surfaces in Northern Virginia grow algae fast — shaded corners, poor drainage, and tree cover hold moisture long after the surface looks dry. Green and black patches are slippery, and left long enough the growth works into the acrylic coating.
Signs you need sport court cleaning
- Green or black patches, especially in shaded corners or along fence lines
- A slick or slippery feel underfoot, even when the court looks dry
- Faded or hard-to-read line paint
- Standing water taking longer to evaporate than it used to
- It has been more than a year since the last professional cleaning
What is included
- Low-pressure soft washing that will not strip acrylic color coat or line paint
- Tennis, pickleball, basketball, and multi-use courts
- HOA amenity areas, country clubs, schools, and private residences
- Drainage and low-spot assessment included in every quote
- Annual and biannual maintenance schedules available
How it works
- 1 Inspect the court for low spots, drainage issues, and paint or line condition
- 2 Pre-treat heavy growth areas with a targeted soft-wash solution
- 3 Apply the full-court cleaning solution at low pressure and let it dwell
- 4 Rinse at low pressure with a fan tip to lift dead growth without eroding the color coat
- 5 Walk the surface once dry to check for missed spots or slick residue
Understanding the problem
What is actually happening — and why the method matters
A court surface is a thin acrylic resin and silica-sand color coat bonded to an asphalt or concrete base, applied in coats measured in fractions of an inch. What grows on it is typically a cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) similar to what grows on roofs, along with black mold in shaded corners — both spread by airborne spores that land, take hold in the textured coating, and darken as they mature. A pressure washer aimed at that thin coat does not just clean it; at close range it erodes the coating itself and lifts line paint, which is thinner still.
Soft washing solves this by doing the cleaning chemically instead of mechanically. A diluted cleaning solution — similar in concept to a pool-safe sanitizer, at a much lower working concentration — is applied across the court and given time to dwell, which kills the algae and mold at the root rather than just knocking growth off the surface. A low-pressure rinse with a fan tip then lifts the dead growth away without the force that would erode the coating or lines.
Courts in shaded, tree-lined settings redevelop growth fastest, since shade keeps the surface damp longer after rain or morning dew. A light annual clean on that kind of court prevents growth from working into the coating deeply enough to need a heavier treatment — or in neglected cases, resurfacing — later on.
Common questions
Questions about sport court cleaning
Will pressure washing damage my court surface?
High pressure will. It erodes acrylic color coat and lifts line paint. We use a low-pressure soft wash with a cleaning solution that kills the algae at the root, so the surface is not blasted.
How long does a court take?
A single tennis court is usually a half day. Multi-court facilities are typically completed in one day.
How often do courts need cleaning in Northern Virginia?
Most courts here need attention every one to two years. Shaded or tree-lined courts drift toward annual.
Do you work with HOAs and property managers?
Yes. Community amenity areas are a large part of our court work, and we can invoice through a management company and schedule around resident use.
How much does court cleaning cost?
It depends on the court size, surface condition, and how much growth has built up. We assess the court and provide a free written quote, usually within one business day.
Can I clean my court myself with a garden sprayer and bleach?
You can attempt it, but getting the dilution, dwell time, and rinse technique right is what prevents streaking or damage to line paint. Most DIY attempts under-clean shaded areas or over-saturate the surface near drains.
What time of year is best to clean a court?
Spring through early fall, when temperatures reliably stay above 50°F, gives the cleaning solution time to work and the surface time to dry fully before use.
Will cleaning fix cracks or drainage issues?
No. Cleaning removes growth and staining, not structural problems. If we spot cracking or standing water during the assessment, we will flag it as a separate resurfacing conversation.
Do you offer a maintenance plan for courts?
Yes. Annual and biannual maintenance schedules are available, and staying on a schedule is meaningfully cheaper over time than letting growth build up and require a heavier clean.
Is the cleaning solution safe for players and pets right after?
We rinse thoroughly and let the court dry before it is used again, typically the same day. It is not safe to walk on while wet with solution, and we will tell you when it is clear.
Free quote
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Written quote within one business day.