FAQ: How To Make An Ice Rink In Your Backyard?

How hard is it to make a backyard ice rink?

Building a backyard skating rink does require space and time, but it’s easier than you probably think—as easy as putting together a wooden frame, lining it with a tarp, and filling it with water, in fact.

Will a backyard rink kill the grass?

Good news: it doesn’t have to be a choice between the two; having a rink doesn’t guarantee dead grass. In fact, a correctly-built rink means that your grass lives to see another summer!

Can you build an ice rink at home?

That’s right, you can build a backyard ice rink! Don’t worry, advanced degrees in engineering are not a prerequisite; this is a simpler project than it seems, with just three steps from start to finish.

Can you build an ice rink over a pool?

Technically, Yes You Can Yes, but with some major caveats. First, aboveground pools make for very dangerous and ill-advised ice rinks, if only for the simple reason that skaters are likely to topple right off their new backyard ice rink.

How thick should ice be for backyard rink?

A backyard ice rink doesn’t have to freeze solid to skate. Usually 4” of ice is enough to go ahead and skate.

Can you make a rink on grass?

As long as you time your outdoor rink properly, your lawn won’t be any worse for the wear once you pull up the rink in early spring. The reason is that once temperatures are consistently below 50 degrees, perennial grasses go dormant and won’t die when exposed to long-term darkness and weight.

Does making an ice rink in your yard ruin the grass?

A simple backyard ice skating rink creates a wonderful way to spend active time with the family during the cold winter months. When properly constructed, a backyard skating rink will not kill the grass on your turf lawn —a common fear.

What temperature does it have to be to flood a rink?

The ideal temperature to flood your ice is between -7 and -20 degrees Celsius. If you try to flood your rink when it’s below -20 degrees, the ice will be brittle and freeze before it has a chance to level out. Before you flood, be sure to clear off any debris such as leaves or sticks to avoid creating bumps.

Can you use a blue tarp for an ice rink?

There are a two reasons that tarp color can influence the quality of your ice rink. First, the darker the color, the more sunlight it absorbs. This can cause your rink to melt on sunnier days. Second, typical blue and green tarps you would find at a sporting goods store are known to damage grass beyond repair.

How do I keep my backyard ice rink frozen?

To keep the ice cold enough for skaters, the rink uses a minus-5-degree chiller, which is essentially a very large refrigerator that runs for 24 hours a day. “It’s the machine that keeps the ice frozen,” said Rachel Radawec, placemaking and community engagement manager for the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

How do you flood a backyard rink?

The Flood –The flood method is simply that, flooding. To flood the rink you’ll need to have the availability of large hoses and above average water pressure. You’ll need to get the entire rink completely covered with water before any of it starts to freeze. Do not use the flood method on smooth ice, you’ll wreck it.