Locate area to place rink - keep in mind that the rink will be there all winter so make a good choice that will not interfere with other activities. Lay out the liner to get a good idea of the area covered. Mark the corners, and if possible use snow to level the area. The more level the surface, the less water you will use, and the more floodings you will be able to perform. Place the liner with white side up to reflect the sun's rays and keep the ice in place longer.
Place the Home-Ice rink tube(s) with seams facing up roughly in position on top of the liner. Don't worry about wrinkles in the liner - take these out once the tubes are filled and in position. One end of the tube's inner liner is sealed to keep the water from escaping. You can start filling the tube from the other end by placing a garden hose into the tube and elevating it on a pail, or other raised object to keep the water from flowing out of the tube. As the tube fills, continue to improve its position and keep the seam to the top as you may need to use the seam to lift and move the tube or to clip the liner later.
Once the tube is filled, remove the hose and twist the inner plastic liner tightly and tape with duct tape to seal. Fold any excess tube liner into the protective cover. Now finish placing into the desired shape and position on top of the liner. Leave about 8" of liner around the perimeter of the tube to allow the liner to be folded up around the outside of the tube while flooding the rink. This will keep the water from escaping under the tube in certain areas. The liner can be clipped up to the seam on top of the tube or held in place with snow. This step is temporary until the first flood is frozen and the tube is frozen to the liner. Once sealed with ice the excess liner is neatly folded down and can be tucked under the tube or covered with snow. Before flooding pull the liner taut to remove excess winkles. Flood the rink with enough water initially to seal all tubes to the liner bottom. Do not skate on the rink until there is a minimum of 1-2" of ice cover to protect the liner from skate blades that may chip or penetrate the ice.
The Home-Ice tubes that form the rink perimeter are made of an exterior layer of felt-like fabric that is tough and UV resistant. This outer skin protects the inner plastic layer that holds the water in. Additional fabric strips are available to provide added protection from skate blades and hockey pucks if desired. These strips are simply placed over the areas where you anticipate potential damage (such as at the ends of the rink) and allowed to freeze into the ice over the tube face. The order form lists these as an option (sold by lineal foot).
Locate area to place rink - keep in mind that the rink will be there all winter so make a good choice that will not interfere with other activities. Lay out the liner to get a good idea of the area covered. Mark the corners, and if possible use snow to level the area. The more level the surface, the less water you will use, and the more floodings you will be able to perform. Place the liner with white side up to reflect the sun's rays and keep the ice in place longer.
Place the Home-Ice rink tube(s) with seams facing up roughly in position on top of the liner. Don't worry about wrinkles in the liner - take these out once the tubes are filled and in position. One end of the tube's inner liner is sealed to keep the water from escaping. You can start filling the tube from the other end by placing a garden hose into the tube and elevating it on a pail, or other raised object to keep the water from flowing out of the tube. As the tube fills, continue to improve its position and keep the seam to the top as you may need to use the seam to lift and move the tube or to clip the liner later.
Once the tube is filled, remove the hose and twist the inner plastic liner tightly and tape with duct tape to seal. Fold any excess tube liner into the protective cover. Now finish placing into the desired shape and position on top of the liner. Leave about 8" of liner around the perimeter of the tube to allow the liner to be folded up around the outside of the tube while flooding the rink. This will keep the water from escaping under the tube in certain areas. The liner can be clipped up to the seam on top of the tube or held in place with snow. This step is temporary until the first flood is frozen and the tube is frozen to the liner. Once sealed with ice the excess liner is neatly folded down and can be tucked under the tube or covered with snow. Before flooding pull the liner taut to remove excess winkles. Flood the rink with enough water initially to seal all tubes to the liner bottom. Do not skate on the rink until there is a minimum of 1-2" of ice cover to protect the liner from skate blades that may chip or penetrate the ice.
The Home-Ice tubes that form the rink perimeter are made of an exterior layer of felt-like fabric that is tough and UV resistant. This outer skin protects the inner plastic layer that holds the water in. Additional fabric strips are available to provide added protection from skate blades and hockey pucks if desired. These strips are simply placed over the areas where you anticipate potential damage (such as at the ends of the rink) and allowed to freeze into the ice over the tube face. The