OUTDOOR ICE
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OUTDOOR ICE
I am looking for tips and/or advise on what is the best way to create an ice sheet outdoors...
Thanks for any advise!
Thanks for any advise!
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Re: OUTDOOR ICE
www.nicerink.comyasoguy wrote:I am looking for tips and/or advise on what is the best way to create an ice sheet outdoors...
Thanks for any advise!
Everything you need
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Good call... and use white or light gray color.flatontheice wrote:yasoguy wrote:We are stuck using a grassy, flat surface. Is it best to have a layer of packed snow with it lightly sprinkled with water first before adding heavier amounts of water or just add water from the get go.?
I would put a liner down. It will save you water.
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OUTDOOR ICE
There are a few different ways to do this right:
-Get a big nice ice liner & fill it by applying layers slowly (1/4 - ½ inch at a time) allowing the water to fully freeze before adding the next layer
-Be careful not to let the water thaw out the previously frozen ice or you’ll lose it
-Also make sure there are no sticks or sharp rocks that can puncture the liner or it will all leak out
-Spray or sprinkle the water on (using an oscillating sprinkler) to get build up a thin layer everywhere and let freeze
-On a rink that’s 80 x 200 a liner will cost about $2000 so you may want to just flood on the ground by adding thin layers with a sprayer or sprinkler (it will kill the grass unless you use a liner – trust me!)
-Don’t get too greedy in applying water by letting the hose run or you’ll melt the ice and the water will carve through your ice & you’ll have big ruts to fill that will take forever
-If you end up with holes you can pack in snow in the holes & spray with water and let the patch freeze – don’t saturate too much or it will run out.
-Add water to the low spots to get the whole thing level
-Once you have it basically level, you need to continuously add to the surface using a Nice Ice resurfacer or something like it. I made one from copper pipe that worked great but my rink was only 40 x 70.
I used to set my alarm and get up every 2 hours to add layers when I was putting the ice in.
If you can use warm water - it will help smooth out the bumps but I never had the luxury in 13 years of making rinks.
Good luck – Pucky.
-Get a big nice ice liner & fill it by applying layers slowly (1/4 - ½ inch at a time) allowing the water to fully freeze before adding the next layer
-Be careful not to let the water thaw out the previously frozen ice or you’ll lose it
-Also make sure there are no sticks or sharp rocks that can puncture the liner or it will all leak out
-Spray or sprinkle the water on (using an oscillating sprinkler) to get build up a thin layer everywhere and let freeze
-On a rink that’s 80 x 200 a liner will cost about $2000 so you may want to just flood on the ground by adding thin layers with a sprayer or sprinkler (it will kill the grass unless you use a liner – trust me!)
-Don’t get too greedy in applying water by letting the hose run or you’ll melt the ice and the water will carve through your ice & you’ll have big ruts to fill that will take forever
-If you end up with holes you can pack in snow in the holes & spray with water and let the patch freeze – don’t saturate too much or it will run out.
-Add water to the low spots to get the whole thing level
-Once you have it basically level, you need to continuously add to the surface using a Nice Ice resurfacer or something like it. I made one from copper pipe that worked great but my rink was only 40 x 70.
I used to set my alarm and get up every 2 hours to add layers when I was putting the ice in.
If you can use warm water - it will help smooth out the bumps but I never had the luxury in 13 years of making rinks.
Good luck – Pucky.
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Re: OUTDOOR ICE
pucky-duck wrote:There are a few different ways to do this right:
-Spray or sprinkle the water on (using an oscillating sprinkler) to get build up a thin layer everywhere and let freeze
This is the best way I seen, you try to much it's more of a mess then anything, take your time, and the results will show.
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