My dilemna = leak under ice

[kdukatz]

Here's my issue (wish I had a picture, maybe try to post one later): I filled my rink in early Dec when we had a 4-5 day stretch of below freezing temps. My rink runs North/South. My depth ranges from 4" in the NE corner to 12-14" in the SW corner. The rink sits in an open area so the ice along the North boards is in direct sunlight all day (the ice along the South boards is shaded by the boards themsselves). Over the last month or so of these consistent 40+ temps, I've watched the ice creep slowly away from the North boards as it melts. Somewhere in the SW corner, under the thickest ice, I have a leak(s?). I'm guessing the constant pressure of the water under the slab of ice caused the liner to split. I do not like the idea of hacking through the thickest ice to try and patch the leak, especially since I may find more than one. Any attempt to replace the water I've lost in the North end results in the water running under the slab to the low area and out the leak.

Now that we look like we'll be having consistently low temps for a while, I'm thinking I could mix up a snow/water slush and use it like mortar to fill in the gap on the North boards. After that freezes I could then begin putting water down to build the ice back up on that end.

Anyone ever tried this before? Any success? Any other ideas?

[kevmac]

First of all, that sucks and I know first hand because I had the same problem this year but that's what I get for trying to patch my old tarp from last year.

As for the ice/water=slush patching of the rink... I use this method of patching every year. I used to build my rink with a snow base - pack it down, water it and slowly make ice. This method was used to fill holes that never wanted to freeze. Once the 'mortar' froze, it was easy to flood right over top, thus building the overall thickness of the ice.

As for this year, my rink runs East/West and my North end is always in the sun and is also the thinnest part of my rink (~ 4"). Along the North boards, I could not get the water over the tarp so I covered it with snow... packed it down with my 'homeboni', let it freeze and repeat until it held water. You can also use this method to build a ramp-like wedge along the boards thus creating a tub effect along the boards so the water will never have a chance to get under the ice.

Hope this helps and good luck
Kevin

[Chris]

Wow what a good idea! I have a couple small areas that got air bubbles from my last slushy snow weight ice breakage debacle and now I know how to fill them. Thanks!

[kevmac]

Just remember not to add too much water to the slush until it is completely frozen - keep layering the water until there is a base over it - otherwise, the water will find it's way right through the exact same hole and you'll be right back where you started.

[kdukatz]

So far so good. I've been able to fill in/build back up the ice along the North boards using the slush/mortar strategy. I don't have it quite back up to level with the rest of the rink yet, but a couple more light surface floods on that end and it'll be good. At least I don't have that gap for pucks/skates to get caught in anymore. Also followed kevmac's advice about using snow to create a small lip of ice all around my boards, working like a charm. Thanks!

[kevmac]

Missed the update on this last week and just caught it in another post... congrats on the "skateability" of the rink... (if that or skateable isn't a word, it should be!)

Another success story! =)