How to Properly Maintain and Care for a Pool Table to Ensure Its Longevity and Optimal Performance

Buying custom pool tables is an excellent decision because it’s unquestionably one of the most outstanding things you can have in your house. But keeping this in mind, it’s crucial to provide a pool table with frequent maintenance. Maintaining your pool table for many years to come requires primary weekly or biweekly care. You’ve finally given in and spent the money on a regulation-sized pool table that’s ready for a competition. Though your downstairs basement may have been transformed into the ultimate game room, you still need to get prepared for the more complex tasks—the upkeep.

That’s correct; you will need to be well-prepared for anything that can happen to that table before you invite the construction crew over for a few games of 9-Ball. Fortunately, we’re here to provide you with all the information you need to maintain your new plaything in top shape, including a comprehensive guide to pool table maintenance techniques and necessary equipment.

Upkeep for the Wood and Leather

These specific components of your table need a unique type of attention, just like any fine furniture. A high-quality furniture oil or polish is advised for lacquered surfaces. Any kind of leather conditioning agent is always beneficial for the leather components of the table, the pockets being the most outstanding example. For example, oil-based products will eventually replace the natural oils in table leather and make it much more supple, which can further extend its life. Additionally, steer clear of ordinary silicone-based household cleansers since they can erode your finish.

Keep an Eye on Your Moisture Levels

Keep a constant check on the amount of moisture present in the space around your table. Any game area needs a humidifier because of this crucial component. A dry environment has the power to draw moisture out of a table’s wood, causing significant surface fissures. This could be a substantial issue in the winter and much more so for gamers who reside in arid deserts or high-altitude regions. Finer woods often thrive in environments with humidity levels between 40% and 60%.

Diagnosing Your Table

It’s critical to ensure that your slate table is level if you own one. This is bad for your gameplay since an uneven slate will make your table unusable for precise play, even if it’s just slightly off. A machinist level, of course, or an object ball (cue balls are not suggested owing to their weight and magnetism) can be used to determine whether your table is level.

Keep Your Balls Clean

Setting aside comments about personal hygiene is crucial to keeping your pool cloth in good condition. Your billiard balls gather a lot of dust and chalk as they go across the felt of your table, with the cue ball being the main offender, and reapply this corrosive dirt to the rails of your table. In light of this, cleaning your game balls after every pool session is a good idea.

Summing it Up 

If the discussion of possible damage to your table has you feeling uneasy about playing the game, keep this in mind: don’t be afraid to break it in. To maintain its flexibility and responsiveness, a pool table has to be used, which makes for a more enjoyable and regulated game. Your gaming friendship may last a lifetime or longer, provided you continue to be a conscientious owner and give your table the care and attention it requires.