Determining Ice Thickness

When to resurface? How to flood? What to do when...
njdevils
Rink Rookie
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:40 pm
Rink Dimensions:
Materials:

Determining Ice Thickness

Postby njdevils » Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:52 pm

i filled about 5" of water to the lower end of my rink, and I am not sure how to tell when it is frozen through. It is my first rink and I don't know how to tell if it is good.

User avatar
wilsondmw
Seasoned Veteran
Posts: 38
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:08 am
Rink Dimensions: 56 x 26
Materials: 2 x 12 x 12's (2x6s scribed under low spots for leveling)
Plastic Liner (-Wilmette Bike Shop)
Location: Chicago's North Shore

Re: Determining Ice Thickness

Postby wilsondmw » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:35 pm

I built one of these....it has been really helpful.

http://www.backyard-hockey.com/2010/12/ ... ess-ruler/

What i ended up using for the metal was a "Wreath Hanger" and marked it with a Sharpie...Works Great!
http://www.lowes.com/pd_275496-86637-70 ... Id=3826869

User avatar
Joe
Site Admin
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2011 11:28 pm
Rink Dimensions: 40x56
Materials: 2x12 boards, Chelmsford Forum Boards (on the shooting end), and homemade wooden brackets
Location: Bedford, NH, USA
Contact:

Re: Determining Ice Thickness

Postby Joe » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:34 pm

The rink ruler posted above works well, but you need to get it in before the water freezes.

The non-scientific way to know if your ice is ready is to slowly transfer weight onto your slab with one foot. If the ice breaks, you're not even close. If it supports some weight but water comes up from underneath, you're not quite ready but lighter kids might be ok. I don't stand on my rink until I do this at several points, and there is no water seepage up around the edges. Non-scientific, but that's how I do it.
I'm Joe from Backyard-Hockey.com and EliteRinks.com.

Please visit your "User Control Panel" and update your location, rink dimensions, and materials used. It helps us when giving advice.

Oh, and check out our new book -


Return to “Maintenance/Problems”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest