This is my first rink. It was going well. I got the base down and was putting a light flood on to smooth it out and it started crack all over the place. I wasn't standing on it so it had to be something thermal. Really loud cracks and now I have cracks all through the ice (think shattered window). They seem to be below the surface as you can't feel them when you put your hand on it. Not sure what I can do now but keep flooding over them to build depth. Did I do something worng? It was really cold when I flooded (9 f) and I used warm water. In retrospect itt seems like the same reaction you'd get it you dropped an ice cube into warm water. Anyone else ever have this happen? What did you do?

First off, welcome! Make sure you fill out your profile (location and rink info), it helps us when giving advice.

Pretty common, and you're correct that it was the combination of warm water and very cold air temps. You may have noticed less cracking if you either used cold water or waited until it was a bit warmer. That said, it's nothing you need to worry too much about unless the cracks hit the surface.

It's normal... just flood over it and it won't be an issue. To be honest, I rather enjoy the sound of cold ice cracking at 2 or 3 in the morning when I'm out with the hose all by myself.

That sounds still scares the crap out of me when I am flooding though, I think it brings me back to the old days when we used to skate on the pond or horse around on the river. If you heard that crack, it usually meant that someone might be getting wet, so GET OFF!

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Seems to be okay. Skated on it last night for hours with my son. Great time.

Nice! We got the little portable defenseman too...my son loves it. Can't wait to see him throw some sauce in a game or nutmeg a real d-man to prove to me he's learning from it though, haha.