Ice Rink Tarps

It is not everyone that loves winter time, but if you can build your own ice rink tarp in your backyard, then I'm sure you will be able to enjoy more of this lovely season along with all your family and friends. Many people are afraid to start a project like that, but I assure you is not that hard to do it once you have all your tools (white tarps, hardware, lumber, the right tools and of course, loads of water) ready and set for building your own backyard ice rink.

How To Build Your Own Backyard Ice Rink

Ice Rink Tarps - First Things First

The first thing you want to do is to make sure you have a nice flat surface for your backyard ice rink construction. To ensure this, you may use a water level and a tape measure to check your backyard surface. You can also achieve the same results by using a line level and stakes to check it. The minimum amount of ice you need for your DIY skating rink is 3 inches of ice. So if your terrain is not leveled you will have to make it up for that. For example, if your terrain presents you with a 5 inches change in grade, you will need 5" more of ice on the lowest point to ensure a flat surface.

Choosing The Right Size For Your Backyard Ice Rink

Before assembling your own ice rink tarp, you will have to decide upon which size you want to build it. Of course this will depend on how big your backyard is, but nonetheless there are some tips that might help you out when choosing the right ice rink size and ice rink liners. If your backyard is, say 45' x 70', then I would leave at least 4' to each side so your ice rink have some nice space around to go up and over the walls. Additionally, you may consider the option of using pressure treated lumber for your backyard ice rink construction since these will withstand the test of time way longer than any other material. Additionally, picking the right store to find some tarps for sale is also essential.

Backyard Ice Rink Assembly

Now the fun part will begin! Make sure you have a nice backyard ice rink plan to use as guide (you can buy one of these but I believe you could just design it yourself. Just make sure you do it BEFORE your start your backyard ice rink construction, not on-the-go, this is not an iPod!!). Also, make sure you properly plan and organize all your equipment before laying out the pieces that will make up the ice rink. You may also consider buying backyard ice rink kits to help you make that. I have more fun doing it all myself, but feel free to go with the one that you think will suit you best.

Now, it is a matter of properly laying out your string lines that will aid you in establishing the right angles and sizes to your ice rink. If you do not know how to make 90° angles, then I would recommend going here for tips on that. Once all has been established, you can then start building the side walls of your DIY skating rink.

Building The Side Walls Of Your Tarp Skating Rink

Since all your string lines are already in place and probably all your brackets are ready to use, this will come down to assembling nice and easy the walls in a secure and firm way. Many recommend building side walls from 6 up to 8 inches high, but this will also depend on the slope of your backyard and you might have to build it higher or you might get away with a lower side wall. Use brackets and screws to secure your boards. Additionally, I would recommend as maintenance tips to not use nails if you would like to unmount your rink during spring. Also, use some spikes to safeguard and protect your side walls from expanding ice.

Now what you need to do is to spread out evenly your white tarps over your terrain. This can be easily done with a friend's help. You may tuck the ice rink tarp against the bottom inner sides of the walls. You have to secure that is neat and tight because if you  do not do it so, you may leave space for expanding ice to rip it.

Adding Water To Your Skating Rink

Finally, what you need to do is to add water to your rink to finalize it. I'd recommend adding a few layers at a time and let it freeze before setting another layer of water. This will reduce the risk of having a big break on it from freezing all it once. So, spray your water evenly across your ice rink tarp and ensure to let it free completely before skating on top of it.