A backyard ice rink can be an excellent way for your children to stay active, and you can keep fit in the cold months. You can also play hockey at your backyard rink or practice skating. It is convenient, and it can be an excellent place for your neighborhood to gather. It is actually much easier than you think and requires only a few basic materials.
Site Selection and Framing
The most crucial step in building your skating area is choosing the location. It is essential to pick a site that is as flat as possible. You can set the base on slopes but will need more materials to level it. After you have chosen your site, prepare it by raking, removing rocks, and leveling small holes.
The next step is to frame the area with wooden planks that are held in place by braces or brackets. Use a line level to ensure proper leveling.
Ice Rink Liners are a Must
Once your frame is in place, you can lay the liner on top and then fill it with water. Ice rink liners should be a must. They protect turf from injury and make the frozen surface more stable than grass. These ice rink liners are waterproof, heavy-duty and can withstand harsh winter weather. They will withstand the pressure of a fixed base more effectively than a lighter-duty garden or car cover.
There are many sizes of ice rink liners. You should ensure that the liners have enough overlap to prevent any leaks. After filling your frame with water, it expands and freezes; you should have three to four feet of overlap.
Once the liner has been installed, fill it with water and fasten it to the frame. It’s important to fasten it once it’s complete. This will allow it to settle and fill in any low spots while still keeping in contact with the ground. The liner will be less compressed by the frozen ground in winter, which means it will feel less pressure. If the liner is pushing against a hard surface beneath, punctures, rips and tears could occur.
Final Tips
1. To avoid any bumps or lumps caused by snow that has frozen on the ground, set up your skating equipment before it falls.
2. Just before a cold front arrives, top it off with water. This will fill in any low or bare spots and help to freeze the water again before the cold hits.
3. You should plan on buying a new ice rink liner every year. They can take a lot of abuse. They are exposed all winter and can withstand freeze-thaw cycles. It’s possible to reuse the liner for the following year. However, it is equally possible that the tarp will become brittle and filled with weak spots before the water gets in. You can reuse the tarp for winter protection on patio furniture and other outdoor items.