Frequently Asked Questions

How level does my yard need to be?

Before finalizing your YardRink purchase, it is important to assure that your yard doesn’t have too much slope.  Your yard location for YardRink should have no more than 10” of slope in any direction.  If you are unsure about the slope of your yard, we can help.  Please e-mail us at CustomerCare@YardRink.com to learn more.

What YardRink sizes are available?

Currently, YardRink offers our Starter Rink (35’ x 17’), which is a perfect size for young skaters/hockey players, and our Standard Rink (53' x 26') for larger games and players.

When should I set up my YardRink?

For the easiest installation, we recommend setting up your YardRink on a day with low wind, on or close to the day that you intend to begin filling the skating surface.  YardRink setup is quick and easy, requiring no measuring, brackets, kick-plates, or bumpers.  You can be filling the rink roughly an hour after you and a helper start the setup.  The skating surface may take a few days to freeze, depending on the weather. 

How much does YardRink cost?

  • Our Starter Rink (35’ x 17’) costs $2,099, plus shipping and handling. 
  • Our Standard Rink (53' x 26') costs $3,099, plus shipping and handling.  

What makes the YardRink tarp so special?

The YardRink tarp is like no other backyard rink tarp in the world.  It is custom manufactured for YardRink and is an important part of YardRink’s revolutionary design.

  • The tarp has rounded corners and is shaped just like the rink itself.
  • It wraps around the outside of the panels, so it stays clear of pucks, skates, sticks, and shovels. The ice runs right up to the wall for a clean ice-to-wall interface.  There is no ‘tarp slush’ to slow your play. 
  • Grommet-reinforced eyelets run along the entire outside edge of the tarp, spaced several inches apart. These eyelets are used to attach the tarp to the links on each panel, using cable ties that we provide.
  • Once assembled, there is no excess tarp flapping around in the wind or requiring ‘caps’ or 'bumpers' to hold it in place.
  • 8 mil thick; triple laminate HDPE/LLDPE rip-stop construction.
  • Bright white to minimize solar absorption.
  • Woven-in lines and centering marks guide panel placement during setup.  Yes, the tarp gets laid down first, then the panels are arranged on top of it!

What happens if I get a hole in the tarp?

Because the tarp wraps around the outside of the panels, unlike most rinks, it is less likely to get a hole along its edges that could result in a leak.  To minimize the chance of punctures or rips occurring while the tarp is being spread, we do recommend raking and inspecting the area where the tarp will be placed.  Be sure to remove all sharp rocks.  If a leak does occur, your local hardware store will have tape that adheres under water and which should do the trick to fix any small hole.

What makes YardRink Panels so special?

YardRink panels were designed to make your back yard hockey game feel similar to playing in a regulation rink.  We started from scratch, and ended up with a few key innovations that make all the difference:

  • Straight and gently curved 18" high panels allow rinks of various sizes to be built with smoothly rounded corners.
  • The panels are super easy to lock together, with a single hex head bolt for each.
  • The panels are filled with water and then frozen, so your rink's walls are incredibly solid, providing nice rebound action for a puck.
  • The result: A smooth, 1-ton steel-belted wall of ice around your rink. 

  • Constructed of lightweight, high strength, UV resistant plastic.

What if some of my panels leak?

No problem!  While YardRink panels are intended to be completely filled with water and frozen, a partially filled panel will not impact the integrity or playability of your rink.  A leak will result in a panel that is filled at least to the rink's adjacent skating ice level.  Panels have been engineered and tested to withstand the impact of skates, pucks, shovels, and even snowblowers.

Can I order YardRink if I live outside the U.S.?

We’ll work with you to try to make that happen.  Please e-mail us at CustomerCare@YardRink.com.

How is YardRink shipped?

YardRink is shipped via UPS Ground service or LTL (less-than-truckload) service.  YardRink kits arrive in boxes light enough to be carried easily by two people. 

The Starter Rink ships in 9 clearly labeled boxes: four boxes contain curved panels; two boxes contain straight panels; two boxes contain stakes; and one box contains the tarp, cable ties, hex head bolts, and a simple, one-page laminated set up and take down card. 

The Standard Rink ships in 15 clearly labeled boxes: four boxes contain curved panels; five boxes contain straight panels; five boxes contain stakes; and one box contains the tarp, cable ties, hex head bolts, and a simple, one-page laminated set up and take down card. 

We designed YardRink to be ridiculously easy to assemble, and that starts with the way our parts are ‘boxed up’.

How long does shipping take?

In most locations in the contiguous 48 states in the U.S., shipping takes just 3-5 days once an order has been processed.

How much does shipping cost?

In most locations in the contiguous 48 states in the U.S., shipping costs for our Starter Rink are typically in the $300 range.  The Standard Rink shipping costs are typically in the $400 range.   

How thick does the ice need to be to skate?

We recommend a minimum ice thickness of four inches.

What kind of maintenance does YardRink require?

Once your YardRink is set up for the season, little to no maintenance of the rink itself will be required.  We recommend  periodically checking to see that the Tarp remains securely fastened to the Links of the Panels by ensuring that all the cable ties are in place and pulled tight.

As for the rink’s skating surface, regular ice maintenance is recommended.  Tips and suggestions for optimizing your ice’s skating surface can be found at the following websites (note, clicking on the links below will take you to a site that is not affiliated or controlled by YardRink; the content, security and/or privacy of these sites is neither verified nor warranted by YardRink):

How do I set up my YardRink?

Instruction with illustrations are provided in the one-page laminated set up and take down card that comes with your rink.  Here's the summary:

  • Rake and level: Important -- Choose a location in your yard big enough
    for the rink and with no more than 10” of slope in any direction.  Remove all sharp rocks.
  • Spread the tarp: Lines and marks should face up.  Hint: In windy conditions, place a few partially-filled panels on the tarp to hold it in place.
  • Place the panels: To form the long walls, align the bottom inside edge of the straight panels with the blue lines woven into the tarp. Form the corner walls by placing four curved panels each. Note: Short lines on the tarp indicate the center of each side.
  • Connect the links: Start at any panel: slide the panel rightward to position its link in front of its neighboring panel's link. While pulling the adjacent panels together snugly, insert the hex bolt using a cordless drill with the supplied hex bolt driver.  Repeat this procedure for each successive pair of panels.
  • Attach the tarp:  Wrap cable ties to pull the tarp tightly toward the link.  Use a cable tie for every eyelet. The free end of each cable tie can be trimmed off.  If your yard has some slope, ensure the tarp on your deep end comes all the way up to the link.  If needed to provide more slack in the tarp, the tarp on the shallow end can be connected to the links using (for each relevant eyelet) two cable ties 'daisy-chained' together.  A single straight panel can also be removed, if needed, to allow for the best fit with your yard and the tarp.
  • Install the stakes: At the vee at each end of every straight panel, hammer the stakes into the ground until flush with the top of the panels.
  • Fill the panels:  Use a hose to fill each panel using the fill ports. Each panel holds about 7 gallons, and typically takes less than 40 seconds to fill. 
  • Fill the rink:  Note, we recommend a multi-layer freeze.  First, fill the rink until the water line in the deepest area reaches the top of the indentations at the lower end of the panels (about 4 inches).  Allow this layer of water to completely freeze.  Then, add a few inches of water at a time, allowing each layer to completely freeze.  Fill the rink until there is at least 4 inches of ice everywhere in the rink.  
  • Enjoy!

How do I take down my YardRink?

Instruction with illustrations are provided in the one-page laminated set up and take down card that comes with your rink.  Here's the summary:

  • Drain the rink: Choose a spot to start draining your rink. Near that spot cut several cable ties and carefully fold down the free tarp, releasing a controlled flow of rink water.  If needed, work your way around the rink cutting additional cable ties and carefully folding down the tarp. (Note: You will need to order new cable ties for the next season.)
  • Remove the stakes from the ground
  • Empty the panels: Once the rink is empty, cut all remaining cable ties and unfasten all hex head bolts (save them for use next winter!)  Tip over each panel to empty it.
  • Stack the panels: For off-season storage, stack panels head-to-toe. (You may wish to use the shipping boxes.) If your tarp is in reusable condition, allow it to dry thoroughly before folding.
  • Store the disassembled rink for reuse next season: Store your YardRink in a garage, or other suitable area, to enjoy next winter!  

Can I increase the size of my YardRink in future years?

Of course!  If you currently own a Starter Rink (35’ x 17’) you can upgrade to a Standard Rink (53' x 26') by purchasing our Upgrade Kit, which includes 18 additional straight panels (you'll then have 30 total -- 12 for each side and 3 for each end), a Standard size tarp, plus additional cable ties, hex nuts and stakes.  

What is the return policy for YardRink?

The return policy can be found here.