Concrete is an excellent material for tennis court construction, and if you're lucky enough to own your own concrete tennis court, you are probably well aware of its exceptional durability and longevity. However, there are some catastrophic events that can badly damage a concrete tennis court, and a large tree falling on the court during a storm or cyclone is certainly one of them. If a tree has fallen on your tennis court during a period of harsh weather, it can be difficult to know how to repair it, especially if the tree is too large and heavy to be moved. 

Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe

Your first priority when a tree falls on your tennis court should be the same as your first priority in any catastrophic event: making sure everybody on your property is safe and uninjured. If your tennis court is located close to your home, a larger tree may have damaged the side of your building, so you should make sure to check for any structural damage and ensure anybody who was in the rooms closest to the court is safe.

Step 2: Take photographs

Once the storm has passed (don't be fooled by the calmer weather in the 'eye' of a cyclonic storm), you should take as many photos of both the tree and the damaged tennis court as you can. Having numerous photos of the event and any damage it caused will make the process of making an insurance claim much easier. This should be done before anything is disturbed by cleanup efforts.

Step 3: Call your insurance company

Your next step is calling your home insurance company to make a claim on your tennis court and any other damaged parts of your property. Most property insurance policies will cover at least part of the cost of repairing a tennis court on a residential property and should also cover the cost of having the tree removed from your stricken court. If you have any photos of the fallen tree while it was still standing, be sure to share them with the insurance company -- if the tree was healthy and undamaged before it fell, your claim is more likely to be accepted.

Step 4: Have the tree removed

Now the offending tree has to be removed from your concrete tennis court, which is something usually arranged by your insurance company. Depending on the size of the tree, you may need to make room for portable cranes and other heavy plant machinery on your property. The tree may also have to be chopped up to make removal easier, which can leave a mess of wood shavings around your court.

Step 5: If your court is damaged, have it resurfaced

Once the tree is removed, you can check the court for any damage. Concrete courts are extremely robust, and it is rare for even very large trees to put a concrete court out of commission completely. However, the surface of the concrete may have cracked or crumbled in places, and the tree will almost certainly leave permanent, unsightly scuffs on the court's paint.

To repair this damage, you should call in a professional tennis court resurfacing company. You can use do-it-yourself concrete crack fillers, but these are very messy, and it is very difficult to achieve a smooth finish. Professional tennis court resurfacing services have access to specialised resurfacing tools and materials that will leave your tennis court resurfaced, repainted and smooth enough for professional play.

To learn more, contact your local tennis court repair service today.