Tips for Flattening an Uneven Ground Before Installing a Tennis Court
You want to put a tennis court in your yard, but your land is uneven. Luckily, it's possible to level your yard on your own. Then, you can move forward with putting in your tennis court panels or pouring your asphalt court. First, however, here's some tips on flattening your surface:
1. Manually level the area.
At its most basic form, leveling ground involves removing excess dirt from high areas and moving it to low areas. If the differences in elevation in your yard are only slight, you can handle a lot of the process with a shovel. If the height differences are more extreme, you need to hire a backhoe.
If you have a lot of low spots, you may need to buy some fill dirt to fill in those areas.
2. Remove tree roots.
Once you've made the land relatively level, you need look for tree roots. If tree roots are left unchecked under your flat area, they may grow into your tennis court eventually. This could cause the court to crack or become uneven. To prevent this, look for roots in the ground you have just leveled. If you see any sticking out of the ground, trim them yourself or hire a tree professional to handle it.
3. Go over the area with a vibratory compactor.
Once the roots are removed, it's time to compact your area. Compacting the surface provides your tennis court with the support it needs. If you don't compact the ground, the soil beneath your tennis court will be loose, and that could lead to shifting of your court after installation.
To flatten your ground surface, hire a vibratory plate compactor. This looks like a lawnmower, but it has a flat surface along its base. To use it, you just push it along your surface.
4. Lay a sub base.
Finally, to ensure your tennis court has a sturdy surface underneath it, consider laying a sub base. A sub base is a layer of small pebbles or gravel. It works with your compacted ground to provide support to your tennis court, and it's a common feature under many concrete slabs.
In addition to boosting support, your sub base also helps to separate your tennis court from the ground water beneath it. That stops water from migrating to your court's surface and leading to cracks caused by freezing and thawing. It also strengthens the load bearing capacity of your tennis court, another thing that helps it last longer.
Want to learn more about flattening your ground in preparation for installing a tennis court? Contact a professional installer for tips and ideas on strategies and products.
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