Keeping Painted Porous Tarmac Tennis Courts Clean: Why the Right Sweeper Matters

We recently demonstrated a sweeper on a painted porous tarmac tennis court, a surface that requires more care than many people realise. Outdoor sports courts are exposed to weather, falling leaves, dirt, and moisture every day, and the surface condition has a direct impact on both player performance and safety.

One of the biggest threats to these surfaces is organic debris: leaves, soil, moss, and algae. If not removed regularly, this material settles into the tarmac, trapping moisture and accelerating surface deterioration. Over time, this leads to issues such as puddling, cracks, moss growth, and slippery patches, all of which are expensive to repair and disruptive to court use.

Prevention Starts with Sweeping

The most effective way to avoid these problems is straightforward: regular sweeping. By clearing detritus before it has a chance to break down and clog the surface, you help prevent long-term damage and extend the lifespan of the court.

When debris is left to accumulate, it works its way into the surface’s nooks and crannies typical of a porous tarmac finish. As it builds up, moisture retention increases, moss begins to grow, and the painted coating starts to deteriorate. What begins as a small patch of wear can quickly spread, eventually requiring a full resurfacing.

The Importance of Using the Right Brush

Selecting the correct brush is essential to protect the surface while still removing compacted or heavy debris effectively. Kersten offers two main brush options tailored for these conditions:

Poly Spiral Roller Brush



Ideal for regular maintenance. Its five-row spiral design clears dust, leaves, and soil efficiently without damaging the painted surface. It is gentle yet powerful enough to lift debris from the textured finish.

De-Moss Brush

Designed for tougher cleaning tasks, such as removing moss or algae in shaded or damp areas. This brush uses stiffer nylon bristles to reach deeper into the surface, but it should be used with care to avoid excessive wear on the paint.

The Kersten sweeper offers adjustable height and brush angle settings, allowing for a deeper clean when needed. This lets the bristles dig further into the surface to remove embedded debris or be angled for windrowing to a neat pile for easier collection and removal.

In this demo, we have used:

1. K1500 hydraulically driven two-wheel power unit
2. 90cm working width Hydraulic drive Sweeper
3. 90cm replacement 5 row poly combi brush
4. 90cm replacement De-moss brush

Supporting Efficient Maintenance

For maintenance teams, sweeping a painted porous tarmac court regularly is a key part of surface preservation. Removing debris before it settles prevents blocked pores, helps the court drain properly, and slows down moss and algae growth. It also protects the paint from early failure. Regular sweeping reduces reliance on chemical treatments and helps avoid expensive repairs, making maintenance more consistent and manageable. When used with the appropriate brush, sweeping also reduces physical effort and improves safety, allowing maintenance teams to work more efficiently.

Ready to keep your painted porous tarmac courts in top condition?

Contact Kersten today to find the right sweeper and brush for your maintenance needs.

Telephone: 0118 9869 253

Email: office@kerstenuk.com