To the untrained eye, a Pickleball Court appears quite straightforward — a slab of material, some paint, lines, a net. However, the real value of the court lies beneath the coat of paint. A new court will begin to develop cracks (low spots), puddles, or surface failures if the base of the court, the drainage, and slab design have been done incorrectly.

For property owners, Home Owners Associations (HOA’s), Schools, Parks, etc., cracking is probably one of the largest concerns prior to building a Pickle Ball Court. Just because your court develops cracks does not necessarily mean your court has failed. Minor hair line cracking can be cosmetic, while significant or expanding cracks can indicate serious problems below the surface. Understanding the differences will help you make better choices prior to building, resurfacing, repairing a court.

Not all Pickle Ball Court Cracks are Created Equal.

First let us define what we mean by “hair-line” and “serious structural” cracks. A hair-line crack is typically a narrow (usually a fraction of an inch) shallow crack which is generally stable. Hair-line cracks will sometimes appear in the form of fine lines under or through the acrylic coating. While these types of cracks can be aesthetically displeasing, they do not always represent structural failure. Typically hair-line cracks result from normal concrete shrinkage due to curing, slight temperature changes, curing conditions or minor surface movements.

On the other hand, a serious structural crack is often times wider (1/8th inch or greater), shallower and uneven or active. This type of crack will often produce a ridge, a gap, a low spot or a trip-hazard. Additionally, serious structural cracks can provide entry points for water into the court base resulting in further movement and cracking. The American Sport Builder’s Association indicates that cracking can occur due to both construction and site related issues such as improper slope, inadequate drainage, base movement and/or poor compaction of the sub-base. [1] Therefore, determining the reason behind the crack is significantly more important than merely identifying the crack itself.

Hair-Line Cracks: When They are Primarily Aesthetic Issues.

Hair-line cracks are a fairly common occurrence with many forms of concrete and asphalt products. On a Pickle Ball Court, hair-line cracks will appear as fine lines either directly under the color coating or through the coating itself. As stated previously, hair-line cracks can be aesthetically displeasing however they are not always indicative of a major structural problem.

Hair-line cracks can be created by:

* Concrete shrinkage during curing.
* Slight expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.
* Stress at the surface level.
* Normal aging.
* Movement of the slabs or asphalt due to thin coating.

In evaluating a hair-line crack for an owner the primary consideration is whether the crack remains stable. A stable hair-line crack which continues to remain stationary and is not contributing to an uneven playing surface may be repaired at the same time as resurfacing. Nevertheless, even though small hair-line cracks should not be dismissed once water enters a crack it will weaken surrounding areas particularly in courts which contain poor drainage or are experiencing base movement. According to a sports court construction reference article small cracks can negatively impact ball bounce and also provide opportunities for water to seep into additional surface damage over time. [2]

Major Cracks: When Problems Exist Beneath the Surface.

When an owner identifies a major crack it is generally an indication that something is happening under the surface i.e. either the base is moving/failing or the court was constructed improperly.

Some warning signs of major cracking include:

* Wide cracks compared to hair-line.
* Growing cracks.
* Un-even edges.
* Tripping hazards.
* Water is flowing out of cracks.
* Repairs fail within days/weeks/months.
* Multiple cracks appear in groups or alligator style.

In almost all cases major cracks will NOT simply be a surface issue. They will likely reflect problems associated with sub-grade movement, poor compaction, expansive soils, weak bases, poor drainage or aging asphalt. The ASBA provides information regarding asphalt courts which suggests that when poor slope, drainage, base movement, or poor subbase compaction exist reconstruction is much more probable than mere repair. [1]

Reconstruction is necessary since resurfacing may improve the uppermost layer but it cannot address major movement in foundations.

Reasons for Pickleball Court Cracking

While each and every Pickleball Court may experience cracking; most Pickleball Court Cracks are caused by one or more of the following issues.

1. Poor Sub-Grade Preparation

Prior to placing concrete on a court it must be properly evaluated for sub-grade preparation and compaction. If the soil is unstable, expansive, unevenly compacted, etc., it is highly probable that portions of the court will settle differently than others causing movement and ultimately cracking.

Poor sub-grade preparation is extremely prevalent in regions having challenging soils like Arizona’s expansive/unstable soils which can create movement problems.

2. Lack of Adequate Drainage

Drainage is possibly one of the largest determinants of how well a court will perform long term. In order for adequate drainage to occur a pickleball court must be built with sufficient slope so water can flow off the playing surface and away from potential low spots or into cracks.

Standing water can degrade acrylic coatings and worsen small cracks. Poor drainage can also deteriorate the base or sub-grade allowing for future movement and cracking.

3. Incorrect Court Base Material Selection

The base system used on outdoor pickleball courts matters greatly. There are several options available for outdoor pickleball courts including asphalt, standard concrete, and post-tension concrete.

Asphalt is commonly used and has its advantages/disadvantages. Asphalt naturally ages (oxidize), becomes brittle, and eventually develops cracks. A technical presentation by ASBA states that while asphalt cracking cannot be completely eliminated; it can be delayed/reduced through proper design/material/construction/repair methods. [3]

Standard concrete can also crack if it is poorly reinforced/jointed/cured/designed for site conditions. Many high-end tennis/pickleball courts utilize post-tension concrete because it has inherent properties that assist in reducing cracking and providing stability for a playing surface.

According to ASBA guidance post-tensioned concrete slabs are preferred for construction of tennis courts because they offer large monolithic pours, eliminate expansion joints and minimize reflective/surface cracking. [4]

4. Expansion and Contraction Due to Temperature Changes/Sun Exposure

All outdoor pickleball courts undergo expansion/contraction based upon temperature fluctuations. In warmer climates UV exposure and heat generated on surfaces can increase aging processes of coatings/materials. Over time this continuous movement could potentially cause cracking if the court base is weak or if water is able to accumulate on/in around the cracks.

5. Water Enters Pre-existing Cracks

Small cracks are potentially problematic if water enters them. Water weakening the underlying base or causing coating failure may exacerbate an existing crack. Freeze/thaw cycles found in cooler climates can certainly worsen this condition; however even in warmer climates continued moisture infiltration can still damage components of the court system.

6. Re-Surfacing Above a Defective Base

A common error made by many individuals attempting to fix defects with their court is using re-surfacing to address structural flaws. While acrylic re-surfacing can restore color/textures/playability/minor surface irregularities; it is not capable of addressing major slab movement.

If a crack results from movement/subsurface issues it will most likely reappear after repairs are completed. Thus it is critical that contractors assess whether a court requires resurfacing/repairing/overlaying/rebuilding prior to starting work.

Building Your Pickleball Court Correctly Can Minimize Cracking

While no exterior court can ever guarantee complete lack of cracking; quality construction can substantially decrease likelihood of cracking occurring.

Critical elements involved in minimizing chances of cracking occurring include:

Proper Site Evaluation Prior to Beginning Work

Before beginning construction on your new pickleball court it is imperative to conduct a thorough site evaluation assessing various aspects including site conditions/draining directions/access/elevations. Simply possessing a flat looking yard/lot does not automatically qualify it as suitable for constructing a pickleball court.

Appropriate Sloping/Ground Preparation

An ideal pickleball court should possess sufficient slop to direct water away from the playing surface preventing puddling/stagnant water accumulation/water intrusion into cracks.

Suitably Compacted Base System

Successful compaction/preparation of your base system are crucial to ensuring your court performs optimally. The strength of your court is dependent on what it rests upon. Cutting corners in preparing your base system may save you money initially; however costly repairs will inevitably follow if neglected.

Selecting Appropriate Materials Used in Construction of Court Base Systems

For many long-lasting exterior pickleball courts especially those considered premium (residential/HOA/School/Park/etc.) utilizing post-tensioned concrete can be an attractive option. Post-tensioned systems incorporate steel cables that stretch after being positioned in place which maintains compression pressure within the slab thereby decreasing probability of cracking. [4]