
What temperature should the water be in my ice rink?
If the temperature is in the -10 to -20 celsius range your water can be cold or warm. When the temperature is colder than -20 it's best to flood your rink with warmer water for best results. What is the best way to paint lines on my rink?
When should I flood my backyard ice rink?
I prefer flooding my backyard ice rink when the weather is at least (almost) -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and when it is not snowing and not windy. This type of weather provides the best results and produces a ripple-free ice surface. Always flood when the weather is on your side!
What is the best temperature to flood an ice building?
Ice building floods should be done with water at 140F to 160F (60C to 71C). Q: My good looking white paint went all grey? A: Paint migration is usually caused by using too much water to seal with on a surface temperature not cold enough.
Why does hot water freeze faster than cold water in hockey?
Hot water is usually viewed as preferred for flooding, because that's what we all see in arenas across the country. The reason is that hot water contains less dissolved oxygen, or micro air bubbles, which aids with a harder ice surface. There is also the unproven theory that hot water freezes faster than cold water,...

How do you flood an ice rink in your yard?
0:562:03Best Way to Flood Backyard Ice | Outdoor Hockey Rink MaintenanceYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i found that using a garden hose resulted in the smoothest. Ice. I'm taking a small step backMoreAnd i found that using a garden hose resulted in the smoothest. Ice. I'm taking a small step back with each pass allowing the water to slightly overlap and mix together in time before it freezes.
What is the best temperature for ice skating?
A temperature of 17 to 23 degrees F is considered good “hard hockey ice,” while 24 to 29 degrees F is considered good “soft figure skating ice.” Harder ice allows for faster skating and smoother, less snowy playing surface making the puck slide much easier as well.
How many gallons of water does it take to flood an ice rink?
A surface that is too thin is also dangerous because skaters risk cutting straight through the ice. It takes between 12,000 and 15,000 gallons of water to form a hockey rink surface.
How do you make ice rink freeze faster?
2:337:37Does Hot Water Freeze Faster? Ask the NHL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's pretty hot water but why on earth would they freeze hot water that makes no sense wellMoreThat's pretty hot water but why on earth would they freeze hot water that makes no sense well according to rink experts the hot water freezes faster and creates a tight bond to the concrete.
Can you flood ice with cold water?
Shariff says you should never flood during a cold snap because it produces brittle ice that easily cracks. If that does happen, Shariff says you just need to wait until the temperature rises. Then fill the cracks immediately with a mixture of of water and snow and give your rink a warm water bath to smooth things out.
What temperature is NHL ice?
“The ice temperature before warm-up is about 18 degrees Fahrenheit, but that will climb as high as 24 degrees during the game,” says King. “The NHL's standard for maximum temperature at the conclusion of a game is 24 degrees.”
Should I fill my ice rink all at once?
Fill it all up at once so the water can level out - freezing in layers can create an uneven surface. The following floods should be with hot water if available. Once you have two to three inches of ice your rink will be ready!
How long after a flood can you skate?
Let the ground cool down for a good amount of time before lining and filling. If you have all those BCS factors in place and you wait until your NIGHTS are getting to 23F/-5C to 18F/-8C and your DAYS aren't getting too much warmer than 36F/+2C, you should be able to skate in 3-5 days.
How long does it take to flood an ice rink?
A – The first time you set up the backyard rink and get it ready to fill up with water it will take an average of 1 to 3 hours on “level” ground . If the ground is not level, it will require additional time to adjust the frame to make it level. uld take from 6 to 8 hours depending on the size.
Is it better to flood a rink with hot or cold water?
Hot water is usually viewed as preferred for flooding, because that's what we all see in arenas across the country. The reason is that hot water contains less dissolved oxygen, or micro air bubbles, which aids with a harder ice surface.
How long does it take for 4 inches of ice to freeze?
Ice may form quickly when temperatures tumble, but it takes more time than you might think for ice to reach the four-inch thickness that experts recommend. On average, it takes four days of below freezing temperatures to form ice that is safe. Also, this guideline is for ponds and lakes.
How long does it take for 12 inches of water to freeze?
Standard metal 12 cavity ice cube tray - take 3 hours to freeze. Plastic reusable ice cubes - if you have those small individual plastic reusable ice cubes, used in cocktails mainly, those typically take 2-3 hours to freeze.
Is it ever too cold to ice skate?
While it is common knowledge that ice freezes at 32 degrees that is hardly the ideal ice to skate on. Most ice rinks will keep the air temperature at a brisk 55-65 degrees and the on-ice temperature between 17 and 29 degrees.
What should you not wear ice skating?
Don't plan to go ice skating while wearing shorts or street dresses. It is best to wear comfortable pants that move and stretch, so jeans are also not a good idea. And don't worry about dressing up in figure skating dresses for recreational ice skating.
What should you wear to ice skating?
What to Wear when Ice SkatingLong pants. Specifically, pants you can easily move around in. ... Layers. ... Gloves. ... Appropriate socks. ... Hair pulled back. ... Helmet (optional*) ... Shorts. ... Dresses (without leggings)More items...•
Why do they put hot water on ice rinks?
Hot water is usually viewed as preferred for flooding, because that's what we all see in arenas across the country. The reason is that hot water contains less dissolved oxygen, or micro air bubbles, which aids with a harder ice surface.
When should I flood my ice rink?
I prefer flooding my backyard ice rink when the weather is at least (almost) -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and when it is not snowing and not windy.
How often should I flood my rink?
By flooding rink with water, you can build the ice depth during the early months of the winter season. I try to flood my rink a minimum of twice per week. I always plan my flooding around weather conditions and temperatures that are appropriate for rink flooding. Flooding your rink on nights when the weather ...
How many nights does ice need to be made?
Your ice base is the most important part of making ice. I find 3 to 4 consecutive nights where the temperature is ideal (this is where weather.com forecasting helps!) and I flood my rink with almost 1/2 to 1 inch of water every night for 3 consecutive nights. For me, this normally occurs during the last week of November.
Do you need a snow blower for an ice rink?
You must remove all the snow from your ice rink in order to flood. You will need shovels. Having a snow blower makes this part of your job much easier!
Is it better to flood or over water?
Light flooding is preferred to heavy flooding. Over-watering or flooding when the temperature is not cold enough creates a shell of ice on top of the water. Ice that is only frozen on top is not suitable for skating, since the shell breaks when weight is applied on it.
Do you need to make sure your ice is frozen before re-flooding your ice?
You need to make sure your ice is completely frozen before re-flooding your ice rink .
How thick is the NHL ice?
A: Ice thickness in most NHL facilities vary from ¾” to 1½” of ice . The industry standard is 1½” and if you have heavy programming, you should carry 2″ of ice. The ice re-surfacer cuts off far more then it puts down. One busy weekend, one bad driver and your goal crease has a corner missing.
How many gallons of water does it take to level a floor?
A: If the floor is level, it will take approximately 1,000 gallons.
Why is ice cloudy?
A: Cloudy or occluded ice is caused by excessive mineral content or entrapped air in the water used to produce ice. Clear ice is made with treated water (low mineral content). Ice building floods should be done with water at 140F to 160F (60C to 71C).
What is the purpose of carrying a higher surface temperature?
A: (a) Carry a higher surface temperature to avoid blowing out chunks of ice on jumps.
Is chippy ice soft?
A lot of people think that chippy ice or rutted ice is soft ice. How many times have I heard “look at the big ruts, the ice is soft, make it colder”. The colder you make ice the more brittle it becomes. Raise the brine temperature when the ice becomes chippy or rutted.
When to put tarp on ice?
Your best bet is to put a tarp or a white plastic liner down on the grass before you begin the ice making process. When the temperatures start to warm up in the late winter and early spring, it's best to pump the water off your rink to avoid damage.
Can you use plywood to fix ice?
When using plywood, be sure to cover it up with a liner or tarp before making ice.
Can you use cold water to make a rink?
Yes, using cold water is just fine to make your backyard rink. If the temperature is in the -10 to -20 celsius range your water can be cold or warm. When the temperature is colder than -20 it's best to flood your rink with warmer water for best results.
Can you flood a skate rink?
Depending on the size of your rink , it's best to try and remove as much snow as you can from skate ruts and edges before flooding.
How Cold Does It Have to Be Before You Set Up Your Ice Rink?
The best time to set up your ice rink is when the temperature drops to 32°F. However, remember that once you’ve filled up the rink, it isn’t ready to skate on yet. There are several factors that you need to consider before you can skate on your ice rink, such as the:
When Should You Set Up Your Ice Rink?
The best time to set up your ice rink is weeks before the temperatures drop to freezing. There are two reasons for this.
Should You Fill the Rink All at Once or Per Ice Layer?
You can do it both ways. However, you should consider the item that you’re using to build your rink before you actually do it.
Does Your Yard Have to Be Leveled for an Ice Rink?
No, your yard doesn’t have to be leveled for you to build an ice rink. You’ll never find a perfectly flat yard, which is why you’ll have to prepare a few things first to ensure that you can get a flat ice rink. One of the things you’ll have to do is measure the slope of your yard. This process is crucial as it will determine the boards, liners, and amount of water you’ll need.
