When the weather is great, and there are plenty of outside possibilities, it’s easy to come up with activities for the children, but it can be more challenging during the winter. This could be the year you discover the pleasures of ice rink construction. You can change your backyard into a family-friendly space with simple materials and some know-how. With a home rink, you will not have to travel far to skate. Here are some guidelines for building an ice rink in your backyard.
Consider Constructing a Classic Rink
Maintaining a backyard ice rink’s smooth, skating-ready surface will require ongoing maintenance. If you dread removing snow from your driveway, remember that your ice rink requires shoveling after every snowfall. If this is your first time constructing a backyard rink, you can keep things easy by constructing it the traditional way. You won’t need a tarp or a plastic liner; simply wait for constant temperatures below freezing, pack down the snow with your feet until you obtain the desired rink form and size, then flood the surface with water from a service that provides rink filling Southwestern ON and let it freeze.
Choose the Best Place
Calculating your yard’s slope is the most important phase in rink construction. Before placing the boards, you must determine the water line. Otherwise, water may flow over one end of the rink while your tarp remains dry on the opposite end. The lowest portion of your yard will require higher boards to compensate for the slope.
All ice rinks require a conveniently available water source that will not freeze and cause damage to faucets and pipelines. If you intend to use your outside faucet, turn the water off and on at the shutoff valve and let the faucet drain to prevent freezing. Connecting a hose to an inside faucet is a further option or you could obtain services from companies like Bright Water Services Inc. To prevent the hose from becoming ice-clogged, bring it indoors.
You may decide to illuminate the ice rink to use it later, as winter nights fall quickly. If you intend to play hockey, you’ll want to prevent shadows that can hide the puck.
Construct a Strong Frame
Most backyard rink builders begin in late November or early December, before the ground freezes, so hammering in the frame’s pegs is easier. Think of a backyard rink as a temporary above ground pool. Only a frame, frame-supporting brackets, and a watertight liner are required.
Either plywood or wood may be used for the frame. Plywood is less expensive and more manageable than timber but is not as durable. More storage space is required for lumber during the off-season due to its weight. For the boards to be supported, you will need brackets that can be staked into the ground. You can purchase prefabricated brackets for backyard rinks or save money by constructing them yourself.
Once your boards are in place, and the brackets are properly secured to the ground, wait for consistently chilly weather to set your liner within your frame and fill it with water. Ensure that you get a thick, light-colored liner since dark liners may absorb the sun’s heat and cause the ice to melt.
Make Fantastic Ice
When two consecutive days of freezing weather are forecast, it is time to fill your rink. Fill your rink immediately to provide a level surface. Creating ice in layers may result in an uneven surface that damages the liner. 8 to 10 centimeters of firm ice is required to begin skating.
Regularly Maintain Your Rink
Clear your rink of snow following each snowfall. When snow remains on the surface for a lengthy period, it can result in lumps and irregularities. After clearing the ice of snow and completing the day’s skating, apply a thin layer of water to it. This will freeze overnight, leaving you with a flat and smooth surface.
Conclusion
You may spend the winter ice skating in your backyard with only a few days of labor and resources. Kits for home ice rinks are available, although they can be quite costly. Simply adhere to the steps in the preceding section, and you and your family will have a functional ice rink in no time. It is easier than you believe. Just some room, patience, and freezing temperatures are required.
