I know I have spouted off on this site about resurfacing between -5'C and -15'C but I take it all back. -20'C is where it's at for laying down new ice and fixing bumps/heaves in your ice. Earlier this evening I removed the snow and frail ice caused by rain/snow over the weekend. I spent two hours clearing and then flooding twice. I went and played hockey and got home at midnight at which point I decided to flood. Well folks, if you can order -20'C weather, that's the time to fix any flaws in your rink. 1.25 hours and about 8 resurfaces later, the rink looks like glass and it will be smooth sailing tomorrow night for an evening skate (and possibly in the afternoon as well if I work from home!)
Wish I would have taken a before pic but here's the after at 1:30 AM, almost as smooth as glass:
Just checked the weather forecast for tomorrow night - a low of -30'C (-22'F) with a windchill of -41'C/'F (same temp) so I am glad I got the rink fixed tonight. Baileys by the fireplace tomorrow night!
-20'C is where it's at
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kevmac
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-20'C is where it's at
Making Backyard Rinks from 1999-2015
Twitter: @kevmac_5 or @macisaac_odr
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Please visit your "User Control Panel" and update your location, rink dimensions, and materials used. It helps us when giving advice.
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mbalcs33
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Re: -20'C is where it's at
Great news Kevmac. I know you've mentioned before that anything below 5 (-15C) is too cold because ice become's too brittle. A few years ago I did have a problem with ice that was resurfaced when it was very cold.
How do you flood? Did you do anything differently than normal? Cold or hot water? Homeboni, hose, or flood dumps? Many small layers or fewer larger layers?
We've got the deep freeze heading to New England and I'll be working on getting my slab of frozen slush hopefully looking like yours.
Thanks,
Mike
How do you flood? Did you do anything differently than normal? Cold or hot water? Homeboni, hose, or flood dumps? Many small layers or fewer larger layers?
We've got the deep freeze heading to New England and I'll be working on getting my slab of frozen slush hopefully looking like yours.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike
Skating on ponds for 45 years, a backyard rink for 14
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"The important thing is that we watch each other's backs out on the ice. That's what matters"
Zdeno Chara
Skating on ponds for 45 years, a backyard rink for 14
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"The important thing is that we watch each other's backs out on the ice. That's what matters"
Zdeno Chara
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kevmac
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 477
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:43 pm
- Rink Dimensions: None
- Materials: Sold the rink!
- Location: Metcalfe, ON
- Contact:
Re: -20'C is where it's at
My method of attack is a simple rink-rake (homeboni) attached to the outdoor spigot - normal temperature water (think my wife would kill me if I used hot water). My rink-rake is 4' wide with 1/8" holes every 1" and I just make sure to walk at a nice even pace so that each layer is 'consistent'. At the temps last night, the one swath was practically frozen as I walked the next one so you avoid the inevitable build-up of slush from dragging the hose. By the time I make my 8 swaths (33'/4') I'm ready to start over at the top (although at that temp, you need to go in side and warm up every once in awhile).
It was also a good time to work on the kids' slide in the front of the house which you can read about here:
It was also a good time to work on the kids' slide in the front of the house which you can read about here:
Making Backyard Rinks from 1999-2015
Twitter: @kevmac_5 or @macisaac_odr
Please visit your "User Control Panel" and update your location, rink dimensions, and materials used. It helps us when giving advice.
Twitter: @kevmac_5 or @macisaac_odr
Please visit your "User Control Panel" and update your location, rink dimensions, and materials used. It helps us when giving advice.
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