It’s easy to come up with activities for the kids when the weather is nice, and there are plenty of outside options, but the winter months can be more difficult. This could be the year to experience the joys of making your ice rink. With a few basic supplies and a little know-how, you can transform your backyard into a fun area for the whole family. Best of all, with a home rink, you won’t have to drive far to skate. Here are some pointers for constructing your backyard ice rink.
Consider Constructing a Classic Rink
A backyard ice rink will require continual upkeep to keep the surface smooth and ready for skating. If you dislike shoveling snow off your driveway, remember that your ice rink requires shoveling after each snowfall. If this is your first backyard rink, you may keep things simple by building it the old-fashioned way. You won’t need a tarp or a plastic liner; simply wait for consistent temperatures below freezing, pound down the snow with your feet until you achieve the proper rink shape and size, then flood the surface with water and wait for it to freeze. For more details on a reliable water supplier, visit this link.
Choose the Best Place
The most critical step in constructing a rink is determining the slope of your yard. Before you set up your boards, you must determine where the water line will be. Otherwise, water may run over one end of the rink while your tarp remains dry at the other. To compensate for the slope, the lower end of your yard will require higher boards.
All ice rinks require a readily available water source from a water supplier that will not freeze and damage taps and pipes. If you plan to use your outside faucet, turn the water off and on at the shutoff valve and allow the outdoor faucet drain to keep it from freezing. Another alternative is to connect a hose to an inside tap. Bring the hose inside to prevent it from becoming clogged with ice.
Winter nights fall early, so you may wish to light the rink to enjoy it later. You might simply switch on your existing outdoor lights, but if you intend to play hockey, you’ll want to avoid shadows that can obscure the puck.
Construct a Strong Frame
Most backyard rink builders start in late November or early December, before the ground freezes, to make hammering in the frame’s stakes easier. Consider a backyard rink to be a temporary above-ground pool. All required are a frame, brackets to support the frame, and a liner to keep the water in.
For the frame, you can use either plywood or timber. Plywood is less expensive than lumber and easier to deal with, but it does not endure as long. Because lumber is heavy, it requires additional storage space during the off-season. You’ll need some brackets that can be staked into the ground to support the boards. You may buy ready-made brackets intended for backyard rinks or save money by building them yourself.
Once your boards are in place and the brackets are securely fastened to the ground, wait for consistently cold weather to lay your liner within your frame and fill it with water. Make sure you get a thick, light-colored liner, as 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 expected, it’s time to start filling your rink. Fill your rink at once for an even surface. Building the ice in layers may result in an uneven surface and harm your liner. You can begin skating after 8 to 10 centimeters of solid ice.
Regularly Maintain Your Rink
After each snowstorm, clear the snow off your rink. When snow is kept on the surface for an extended period, it can cause lumps and irregularities. Pour a thin water coating over the ice once you’ve cleared the snow or finished skating for the day. Overnight, this will freeze, leaving you with a smooth and level surface.
Conclusion
You can spend the winter skating in your backyard with just a few days’ work and a few materials. While home ice rink kits are available, they can be expensive. Simply follow the procedures outlined above, and you and your family will have a functional ice rink in no time. It’s not as difficult as you think. You just need some space, patience, and cold temps.