How to Maintain and Care For Your Backyard Synthetic Ice Rink

backyard synthetic ice rink

Traditional ice rink require water, engineering, and good weather to remain safe for skating. Synthetic rinks are affordable, easy to set up and use, and can be used all year. To ensure an optimal skating experience, an artificial rink should be vacuum cleaned and treated with Glice regularly. It will provide a long-lasting, smooth glide surface for skaters.

Sweep Regularly

Whether you are a hockey fanatic or just a family looking for an extra way to enjoy the winter, many people dream of having their backyard skating rink. However, due to the cost and space requirements, conventional DIY or refrigerated ice rinks aren’t practical options for many homeowners. That is until the backyard synthetic ice rink came along. High-quality artificial ice surfaces offer the same skating experience as conventional ice from a glide and feel perspective but are weather-independent, easy to install and maintain, and 100% non-toxic and recyclable. Regular sweeping and cleaning of your synthetic ice surface will keep it in optimal condition. It is suggested that a tarp be placed over the top of the rink to protect it from snow, debris, and bird droppings during winter. It will also prevent rain from soaking into the tiles and causing them to deteriorate or crack over time.

For best results, you will want to sweep the surface every week using a broom or a specialized brush with a rotating pole found in the cleaning section of most hardware stores. Particular proprietors use their vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment for large areas to clean the entire rink in one pass. A good quality synthetic ice product, such as Glice, even has an auto-lubricating surface that gets better the more you skate on it.

Clean After Every Skate

It is essential to clean your ice and remove any snow or debris after every skate. Do not let the surface get covered in slush; if this happens, it will freeze and be challenging to break up at night. It would help if you used a resurfacer (like the one you would find on a professional skating rink) to clean off your ice quickly and easily. It will help melt any slush formed, smooth out uneven bumps on the ice, and give you a nice glass-like finish. It will also help you maintain your ice thickness as you can see the spots where the slush is forming and remove it before it starts to form mounds of slush that will be hard to remove later when they freeze. The resurfacer will keep your ice in great shape for you to enjoy all winter. Synthetic ice is excellent for those who want to enjoy their backyard rink without relying on the weather. It allows ice to be made when the temperature is right for your area. You can also save on energy costs by not using a refrigeration system.

Apply Cleaning Solution

If you want your Glice synthetic ice to maintain its optimal gliding properties, applying a solution twice a week is essential. First, vacuum clean the surface and use a cleaner solution with a fogger or spray mob to let it penetrate the surface. It will reestablish the glice molecular surface structure and enhance glide performance. The next day, dry polish the rink with a Glice polisher to remove the dirt and prepare the surface for further application of the solution. It will help to prevent any humidity from freezing on the rink surface overnight and prevent any gumming in the future.

Once your rink is in great shape, it’s time to skate! The synthetic ice will feel slightly different than skating on natural ice, but it’s still very close. Skating on ice will strengthen your lower leg muscles, improve posture, and boost motor skills. If you’re looking for a safe, convenient way to practice and improve your ice skating, a backyard synthetic rink is the way to go. With proper planning, high-quality synthetic ice panels, and regular maintenance, you can enjoy your backyard rink all year long with minimal effort. You’ll also save money and energy by skipping the costly refrigeration process and not needing a Zamboni to resurface the ice. And with less hassle, you’ll have more time to spend on fun activities like playing games and having a blast in your new backyard ice skating arena.

Remove Snow as Soon as Possible

Synthetic ice is an excellent surface for skating, but removing snow from your rink as soon as possible is essential. Snow provides a warm, insulating layer that can cause the top layers of the ice to melt. If this happens, it can ruin your ice and make the whole surface. Clear any snow from your backyard ice rink immediately after it falls to prevent this. You can do this by using a shovel or simply sweeping the area. You should also remove any snow from the edges of your rink. It will keep the ice from melting and keep it looking nice. When your rink is not being used, you should cover it with a dark tarp. The ice must be shielded from sunlight with a tarp to prevent ice deterioration. You can also use a tarp to prevent rainwater from pooling on your ice surface.

Regarding maintenance and care, you’ll need to regularly add water to your synthetic rink to ensure the surface stays in good condition. When flooding the ice, using a nozzle rather than an open hose to flood the rink is best. Using a nozzle allows the water to flow evenly over the entire surface and can help reduce the risk of pitted or rough ice. Adding water to the rink can also help it remain frozen during a mild or warmer spell.