Top Ten Tips for the perfect Backyard Ice Rink

Winter is coming and your ice skating itch is flaring up again. Or maybe you're just a hockey fanatic! Instead of hauling yourself and the kids to the ice hockey rink every day, why not use the space in your yard for a backyard ice rink...? They're simple to make and fun for the whole family. Have your own family hockey games and ask the whole neighborhood to join in.

Here's how to build your very own excellent ice rink:

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Figure out where you can build your rink. Try to find the most level section of your yard and then outline out how large the rink will be. Do not build your rink over a septic law as the large whole of water will cause some huge problems! Level out any sections of your lawn that need to be raised. A level covering is Very prominent for your ice rink. If you have some sections that are lower than they should be, use topsoil or even packed snow to even them out. (Remember: snow will melt!) Purchase your backyard ice rink materials. You need to make a decision now: do you want a fancy rink or a basic rink? Here is a list of basic materials you will need (and some fun add-ons too): 2" x 10" boards - sufficient for your border (if you'd like to be authentically fancy you can look into community rink dasher board systems) 2" x 2" stakes - sufficient to use about every 3' around your border Door hinges and deck screws to fasten corners Plastic sheet - this will act as your ice rink liner. Get sufficient to cover the bottom of your rink And flow over the tops of your boards. Large staples to fasten your liner Duct tape to join the liner in the middle (if you have more than one piece) Pond hockey net (x2) Plywood - this is not indispensable but can act as a puck board. You will need some 4" x 4" s or fence posts to brace these on the covering if you determine to go this route. If you're authentically serious, check into a community ice rink dasher board system.* Marsh Pegs (they are frozen into your ice covering and keep the net in place)* Line Kit (to make those fancy lines on your ice hockey rink)* Flood lights for night games* *fun add-ons After your rink area has been leveled out, organize your ice rink frame using the 2" x 10" s, stakes, deck screws, and door hinges. Make sure you do this Before the ground is frozen solid. Place your ice rink liner inside your frame so that the sides are draping over. Duct tape the liner together in the middle if need be. Leave about a 1' overlap. Staple your liner to the frame above the water level or on the covering of the rink. If putting up a puck board you can do so now, along with the supports. You may be able to use your fence posts for maintain instead if you are building right to a fence. Now you can flood your rink. This will have to be done in some steps and done when you are fairly obvious that the weather will stay cold. The first night, flood your rink with the hose, then for a few consecutive nights, spray the covering until it evens out. If you are using a lines kit, do so now before you put the last layer or two of ice on. Don't forget to use your marsh pegs if you have purchased them and setup your hockey nets into the ice rink surface.

Now you are ready for ice skating, hockey games and some old fashioned fun! Now all you have to outline out is who's going to shovel the rink...? Have fun!

Top Ten Tips for the perfect Backyard Ice Rink

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Build a Dog Run in Your Backyard

Gain peace of mind when you build a dog run.

Reasons you may want to build a dog pen include:

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Keeping your dog confined to one section of your asset without putting him on a chain Allowing your dog to be unsupervised while getting fresh air Keeping your dog from digging up plants or chewing on them Keeping your dog away from surface tool or electrical gear Providing an outdoor area for an incontinent dog or one that is not housebroken that can be authentically cleaned
Important to note: A dog run is not supposed to be a substitute for bathroom walks and exercise sessions with your dog.

Some things to think before you build a dog run include:

Where should you put the run? Will you need a building permit? Will it contribute protection from environmental extremes? Will your dog bark excessively and disturb the neighbors? How many hours a day will the dog be using the run? Will it be near enough to a water faucet so you can hose it down?
Floor Of The Dog Run

You can build a dog run yourself using a variety of materials. Many runs have a sealed concrete floor about 4 inches thick. The most desirable type of concrete is plane but not too slippery. It is best to have a itsybitsy slope built in for drainage, between ¼ and ½ inch per foot, for those occasions when your dog has to go potty before you can take him out.

Dog runs attached to large-scale kennels are at least 50 quadrate feet, either 4 x 12 or 5 x 10 feet. For a single dog run in a backyard, a greater width and length is desirable, such as 6 x 20 feet, especially if your dog is active.

If you want a dog run that can be moved from place to place, and your dog is not inclined to dig his way out, you can use the ground as your base. You can buy modular chain link units for this purpose. Note that it may be more difficult to clean if your dog poops in the run and may also become muddy in rainy areas.

Sides Of The Pen

Steel chain link fence (9 gauge) is used for the sides and roof in many cases, since this is very durable and the most difficult for a dog to chew through. A concrete block base filled with sand and topped with concrete makes for a good start for the first consolidate of feet. The height you build it is up to you - 6 or 8 feet should be sufficient.

If chicken wire or someone else type of wire fencing is all you have at hand, by all means use it. It may be best to reinforce the bottom consolidate of feet of the run with thick boards, then staple the wire mesh over the boards. To preclude a dog from digging under the boards, think extending the wire mesh about a foot or so into the ground.

Wood lattice is someone else possibility, but is best fine for a small dog that will be using the dog run infrequently for short periods of time and is not inclined to chew wood.

Roof Of The Run

Since some dogs are climbers, it may be best to cover the overhead area with fencing as well. In places where the dog pen is exposed, put a roof over at least part of the run to contribute shade and shelter, unless you have a large doghouse inside the pen that will serve the same purpose. Make sure this roof slopes down to drain off rain or snow, preferably off to one side rather than onto the floor of the run.

The solid part of the roof can be made of surface grade plywood covered with tarpaper and shingling materials, or corrugated metal or aluminum.

As you can see, it is not difficult to build a dog run with a itsybitsy know how to get you started!

Build a Dog Run in Your Backyard

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