FAQ: How To Resurface Backyard Ice Rink?

How do you fix a bumpy ice rink?

with a slush mixture of snow and water. Make sure you pack it in and smooth it out and let it freeze. Don’t just fill it with with water, as the water will expand when it freezes and you’ll have little bumps. Then commence resurfacing/flooding and apply a layer of water.

How do you flood an outdoor 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.

Can you make an ice rink without a liner?

You do not need a plastic liner or tarp if you are making an old fashioned backyard ice rink (traditional). In order to make ice, you simply pack snow, flood the snow surface with water and allow it to freeze. You can make this traditional backyard ice rink with or without boards.

Can you resurface ice with cold water?

You could use cold or hot water, but if the temperature is very low, attaching your hose to hot water and flooding your surface with a very small layer of hot water produces the best finish. You will need a Sink Faucet to Hose Adaptor in order to run hot water through your hose.

Why do ice rinks not melt?

The ice doesn’t melt because the rink is designed to stay cold enough so that such a thing does not happen. However, one particularly warm winter, I went to an outdoor ice rink and the ice did melt. There was still some ice to skate on, but everyone was pretty much wading through an inch of water as they skated.

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!

How long does it take for a backyard rink to freeze?

It takes a minimum of 72 hours at -10 C for 8 inches of water to completely freeze. Do NOT walk on your rink before this time unless you have to. Water will seep up around the sides and flow onto your surface.

What is the best temperature to flood an outdoor 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 cold is backyard ice rink?

Zero to 15 degrees and windy is optimum ice-making weather; any colder, and the water creates long, lazy cracks that you will later have to repair.

How do you make a backyard ice rink without a tarp?

If you use a snow curb, you don’t even need a tarp. Just tamp down the snow inside the rink, and spray it and the snow barrier lightly with the hose a few times, letting each layer freeze before you apply the next. After a few layers, an ice barrier will form, and you can flood the rink.

How do you make a backyard ice rink with snow?

6 Easy Steps to Make a Backyard Ice Rink with Snow

1. 1) Choose the Right Site.
2. 2) Shovel Off the Snow within the Ice Rink.
3. 3) Build Border with Packed Snow.
4. 4) Place a Sheet of Liner.
5. 5) Fill up the Rink.
6. 6) Make the Ice Surface Smooth.