Not sure this qualifies as a major issue, as I have managed my way through if for a few weeks now - just wondering maybe if there might be a better remedy out there.

The rink froze solid this year. It has been very cold this year in NE Ohio (though we look to be getting a warmup next week). But what is happening, as of late, on the colder nights is surface cracking. I am not talking about shell ice. I am talking about the surface cracks that can go from one side of the rink to the other. They are mostly linear, though not always straight, and can be 20+ feet in total length.

For the most part I just surface over them and skate with no problems. Maybe if they raise up in spots I have to run the scraper over them to smooth things out - but that's about it. Like I said, its' not really been a huge issue. There's no water coming up thru (because there is none left to come up that isn't frozen.)

But on a couple of them I have noticed that when a skate inadvertently catches the crack just right a good sized chunk or two will pup up from the center of the crack creating a crevice that simple surfacing cannot correct.

I have done the slush mixing, packing and flattening with a hockey puck technique that has worked well for the most part. But there are some spots that have been problematic where the chunks continue to work loose and pop out creating more of a nuisance than anything.

I guess I just wanted to see if there were any more permanent remedies for these cracks and crevices or if the slush trick is the best method and it is just something I have to deal with.

The pic doesn't really show the cracks well but it is from Tuesday morning and is a nice pic either way...

There's not really anything you can do. I've had this problem many times while skating when it's really cold. There is a temperature where the ice does seem to get more brittle so either stay off it or patch it with slush when you can. When the temps get a little warmer, they are less likely to happen.

For whatever it's worth, I love your rink! Sorry about the crack.

My rink today is a soft mushy mess - temps in the mid 40's after 14 inches of snow and an inch of rain yesterday. Thanks Mother Nature :(

Thanks man.

We will have slush next week. Temps in the 40's for several days in a row forecasted.

But we will be skating all weekend, cracks or no cracks.

I'll just keep slushing them up and skating over them. It works OK.

Hopefully the cold weather returns shortly. It's been a great winter, but I'm not quite ready for it to be over yet.

I hope you're able to rectify things on your rink soon as well.