I live in Florida,
will this rink work here?
The rink works on the principle of water freezing
below 32°F (0°C) to create ice. The rink
will work for people who live in the northern
states and Canada - or those ordering for a friend
or relative who lives in those areas.
How does this
rink work?
The Ice N' Go rink solves your construction problems
by providing you with a "complete" kit
that allows you to easily and quickly build the
frame work that holds the water. Everything is
in one box including the frame components, the
liner, and a special cap system to protect the
liner from skate and shovel cuts. No need for
tools and there will be no un-included items to
buy. A detailed set of written instructions and
an instructional video to show you how to assemble
your new rink step by step is also included.
Does the ground
have to be 100% level?
Rinks can be built
on uneven ground. The instructions with the kit
will show you how to level the border to compensate
for the drop. It's very easy to do - but the greater
the drop, the more preparation will be needed.
Backyard rinks can have a maximum 10" drop
from the high to low side - "municipal"
rinks can handle an 8" drop. We HIGHLY
recommend that before you do anything, you carefully
measure the slope (slant, tilt, grade or drop)
of your yard to make sure that you select the
most level site. Click
here for instructions!
How long does
it take to set up?
The first time you set up the backyard rink and
get it ready to fill up with water it will take
an average of 1 to 2 hours on "level"
ground. If the ground is not level, it will require
additional time to adjust the frame to make it
level. A "municipal" size rink could
take from 6 to 8 hours depending on the size.
How thick does
the ice have to be?
A minimum of 2 inches thick for the ice to stay
solid and hold the weight of a 300 lb person is
required. For the municipal rinks, we recommend
at least 3 inches.
Does the Ice N'
Go ruin grass?
No! Neither the PVC tubing nor the specially composed
polyethylene liner will affect the grass. Grass
is dormant during the winter so covering it in
that period has no negative side effects. The
only way to damage the grass would be to leave
the plastic liner on the ground too long after
the winter is over.
How fast will
the water freeze?
For a depth of 2 inches*, here are the general
guide lines:
(-20° F ---- 20 Hours)
(15°F ---- 2-5 Days)
(-15° F ---- 1 Day) (30°F
---- 5 Days)
(0° F ---- 2 days) (32°F
---- Will not freeze)
*Water always freezes from the ground
up. NOTE: Nothing, repeat, nothing can
be added to the water to make it freeze faster.
What should I do if
there is an air pocket?
Fill the pocket with slush and allow to freeze.
Should I build a rink
on the ground or on the snow?
Yes to both. It's easy to build the kit on
a good snow base because all you do is hollow
out a space and insert the kit assembly, but you
should only do this in a region where you have
a consistent snow base, otherwise if the snow
melts out from under the rink, it could cause
a mess. For those regions with little or no snow,
just set up on "clean" ground. Ideally
the best places to set up a rink is on surfaces
such as tennis or basketball courts or sport courts
because there is virtually no requirement for
leveling.
Will the skates
cut up the liner?
We have a liner protection system using flexible
ribbed PVC caps that snap over the frame to protect
the liner from shovel and skate cuts. Just in
case, your installation box includes a liner repair
kit. Replacement liners and protective caps are
also available.
How do you maintain
or resurface the ice?
We recommend the "Ice Groomer",
which is an ice-resurfacer you connect to your
hose and pull behind you to get a great, smooth
surface. As an alternative, you can spray or flood
a very thin layer of water using your hose. For
bumpy areas, we suggest softening it up with hot
water and then smoothing it out with a flat piece
of metal like a trowel. Cracks can be filled with
warm water and smoothed over.
What happens at
the end of winter?
Simple. When it starts to thaw, most of the
water will evaporate over a few days or if you
still have a lot of water because of a heat wave,
open up the rink at the lowest level and slowly
let the water drain out. Carefully take the rink
apart, dry off all the parts and put them back
in the box until next year. To avoid ruining the
grass, remove the liner before spring.
Do I need a large
area for a full size rink in order to skate well?
No. Even if you only have room for a small,
your family can enjoy hours of skating enjoyment.
Larger rinks will accommodate a greater number
of skaters safely as well as a greater variety
of activities and games.
When is the best
time to install my Ice N' Go?
Anytime following the onset of cold weather
is a good time to install your rink. It is best
to fill the liner once it is in place to prevent
accidental damage from high winds or animals.
Walking on the liner with the wrong shoes or over
sharp objects left underneath can cause damage.
Can I "Over-Flood"
the rink?
Yes. Too much water can cause the water to freeze
in slivers. We recommend thin applications repeatedly.
Ensure the water has frozen between floods.
Should I use
hot or cold water to flood?
Cold water builds up the ice depth. Hot water
makes for a stronger, smoother ice surface. Hot
water floods are recommended prior to skating.
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