Last year, we spoke in depth about winterizing our homes. This process included checking your insulation, ensuring your roof is in good shape, checking your pipes to ensure freezing does not occur, and many more important steps. Today, let’s put a spin on this idea of winterizing and talk about something likely much more fun; building an ice rink on your property. Together, we will discuss how to go about building your own rink, what you will need, and how much it is likely to cost you.The first step is to ensure you have space. Of course, all rinks range in sizes and you can make it using whatever dimensions you want. For a smaller backyard sized rink, maybe aim for around 25 by 45 feet. In addition to ensuring you have the space on your property to begin with, you need to ensure your area is flat and level. This way, the ice itself will be as flat as possible and the water will freeze evenly.<img class="image_resized image-style-align-right" style="width:40%;" src="https://files.rifo.co/CompanySite/104/104_image.jpeg">Once you’ve ensured that you can start, you will need to install a frame. You can buy rink kits at Home Depot, but a full DIY approach is also doable. CBC, in describing the steps from a hockey dad, said the frame should resemble a sandbox. The next, optional step is to put down a tarp or liner. This will cover the entire surface area of your sandbox looking structure. They say this is optional because you realistically could just pour water directly onto the grass or pavement surface. The problem with choosing to not use a liner, however, is that it can absorb into the surface or leak out. You can use several tarps together to form the liner or you can actually buy a rink liner with measurements fitted to your frame. Of course, make sure it is fully flattened and smooth before pouring water, or else you will be in for a bumpy ride. You can secure the tarp using staples.<img class="image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:30%;" src="https://files.rifo.co/CompanySite/104/104_99 Picture2.png">Having the frame pointing toward the house and windows may be your only option, but it is not ideal. While it will make running back in the house for hot chocolate easier, fixing brokens windows in the middle of winter is not fun. As much as you can instruct the kids to shoot away from the house, in the heat of the game things can get carried away.For rinks positioned a distance away from the house, repurposing a garden bench to allow for rests or skate changing can be an easy add. For those of another generation, you’ll know that the boots can then be used for goal posts. For the current generation, lights and speakers for music can be added too. Leave a pile of snow close by and you have a natural fridge ready for drinks.Next, ensure it is actually freezing outside. This may seem obvious, but there has to be at least one person who pours water inside their surface when it is still above 0 degrees. My Backyard Ice Rink states that you need to also ensure there is no debris on your tarp. Not only is it ugly, but they inform us that dead leaves soak up sunlight, warmth, and water from the surrounding ice.&nbsp;Now you are ready to pull out your hose and fill the surface with water. In total, ice is supposed to be two to three inches thick. Pour the first inch or so and let it freeze before putting in a second layer with the remaining few inches. You should wait a few days before you actually start using it to ensure it is fully frozen. Throughout the winter you can periodically “flood” the rink with additional to ensure that it stays smooth and free of dangerous ruts caused by blade cuts.So, how expensive will this process be? This depends on whether or not you are making yours fully from scratch or if you use a kit. According to Angie’s List, the average DIY backyard rink should cost anywhere from $150-1,800. If you buy a rink kit from the hardware store, you are likely to be paying much more, from at least $2,000-$15,000. Finally, a professional installment is expected to cost you around $1,300-$25,000+. Overall, how much you spend has an inverse relationship with how much physical labour you put in.<figure class="image"><img src="https://files.rifo.co/CompanySite/104/104_99 Picture3.png"></figure>Whether your children are causing a ruckus on snow days, you’re raising budding NHLer’s, or you yourself just love to get out and make the best of the cold, a home rink can be the best winter activity you’ve ever thought of. Using a DIY process, you can make sure it won’t hurt your wallet in the process too.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Winterize Your Home: DIY Ice Rink 

Turn your backyard into an icy paradise, learn the steps and costs of creating a DIY ice rink. Perfect for Canadian winter fun without breaking the bank

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