For 3 years now my family has been putting up a homemade ice rink in our backyard. The method was a very simple one only requiring a flat area, some PVC, a large plastic tarp, along with some extra tools, and of course water. This method is better then allot of the wooden ones for several reasons: wooden one are hard to put up and the wood will rot, aren't really portable, isn't really cheap for a vast area, and takes a bit more water (meaning more time it takes to freeze).
As far as I know, the Idea for the PVC ice rink came from my father, who was looking at building an ice rink. In his quest he found several professional ice rinks, that sold for allot of money (up to $600 dollars!), money that he didn't have. So then the Idea of the homemade PVC ice rink emerged!
Here are the instructions...
As far as I know, the Idea for the PVC ice rink came from my father, who was looking at building an ice rink. In his quest he found several professional ice rinks, that sold for allot of money (up to $600 dollars!), money that he didn't have. So then the Idea of the homemade PVC ice rink emerged!
Here are the instructions...
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For materials you will need....
36 - 4" schedule 20 PVC sewer pipe = around $5-$8dollars* (we will be using 10ft pipes)
4 - 4" PVC corners = around $3*
1 - 40' x 100' 6 mil polyethylene plastic liner = around $100* **
Total cost = around $300
Total use = around 3-5 winters
These are the basic materials for building your average sized ice rink, but it all comes done to the tarp size and how much PVC you have. Also be prepared for strange looks at the home builder's store if you try this, we wiped out most of their supply of PVC and over heard many comments that we must be building a really big septic system!
*these prices were from about 4 years ago, and we bought are materials in Maine, so basically prices subject to change.
** All depends on what the size is, ours was actually double what we needed, but was worth it.
36 - 4" schedule 20 PVC sewer pipe = around $5-$8dollars* (we will be using 10ft pipes)
4 - 4" PVC corners = around $3*
1 - 40' x 100' 6 mil polyethylene plastic liner = around $100* **
Total cost = around $300
Total use = around 3-5 winters
These are the basic materials for building your average sized ice rink, but it all comes done to the tarp size and how much PVC you have. Also be prepared for strange looks at the home builder's store if you try this, we wiped out most of their supply of PVC and over heard many comments that we must be building a really big septic system!
*these prices were from about 4 years ago, and we bought are materials in Maine, so basically prices subject to change.
** All depends on what the size is, ours was actually double what we needed, but was worth it.
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=WOOD=
2x10x8feet SPF Dimension Lumber [home depot]
20 pieces x $7/piece = $140
=PVC=
36 x 4" schedule 20 PVC sewer pipe [ home depot $20 with tax!].
= $720 for the PVC pipes.
Note: The layer that protects the plastic liner costs $720/3 = $360.
Whereas the 32x100ft 6mil poly liner only costs $200/2 = $100. [home depot]
Wood Total = $240
PVC =$820.
Also, some people prefer to list their email like "zktech at aol dot com" so automatic webcrawlers don't find their email address as easily and add it to every list known to man. Although if I was writing the webcrawling software I'd look for that pattern too. Others include their email as a picture like this guy. That latter method probably works better.
According to this site, hockey arena ice maker, Bruce Tharaldson, states why hot water is used: "The heated water, according to Tharaldson, is about 140 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (60-63 centigrade); "the hotter the water," he says, "the more even a surface you'll get -- it melts that top layer when you cut across (the ice)."
The clear liner sheet is usually not usable next year, blade damage at edges and mouse holes during the summer. We are planning to do some greenhouse/cold frames to reuse the plastic in Spring & Fall.
I would love to make the hand held Zamboni and take it to the pond to mend the ice but I have no hose there.