Pick the right spot
The best place for a backyard rink is the flattest part of the yard that gets some shade in the afternoon, since direct sun softens the ice. Before you lay a liner or start flooding, walk the yard and think about what is underneath and around the spot.
- Keep the rink well back from the house. Water and slush next to the foundation can find its way to basement walls and window wells; our guide clearing snow from basement window wells explains why those need to stay clear.
- Stay away from furnace, water heater and dryer vents, the gas meter and an outdoor heat pump. Banks of snow scraped off a rink can bury them. See keeping furnace vents and gas meters clear of snow.
- Avoid low spots where spring melt collects, and do not build over a septic bed or a sump pump outlet.
- Leave a route along the side of the house to the backyard gate, so you are not climbing over rink boards and snowbanks every time you go back.
Water, hoses and refreeze
Flooding a rink means running a lot of water in freezing weather. Plan where that water goes when it does not freeze where you want it.
- Run the hose from a tap that is meant for winter use, and disconnect and drain the hose after each flood so the tap and hose do not freeze. If you are not sure whether your outdoor tap can be used in winter, ask a plumber.
- Never let overflow or hose drips run across the driveway, walkway or steps. That water freezes into a clear glaze that is hard to see in the morning.
- Use only outdoor-rated extension cords and lights, and keep connections off the ice and out of puddles.
Where does the snow go?
Every snowfall has to be scraped off the rink, and that snow builds up around the boards fast. Decide early where it will be piled so it does not end up somewhere that causes problems later.
- Pile rink snow inside the backyard, away from vents, window wells, the gas meter and the fence gate.
- Do not throw it onto the driveway or walkway. It packs down under tires and boots and turns into ice ridges.
- Remember that the front of the property already has its own piles from the driveway and the City windrow. Our guide what happens to snow piles on a small residential lot covers how quickly space runs out.
Snow forts, slides and play areas
Kids love the big piles at the end of the driveway, but that is the worst place to play. Snowbanks next to the road can collapse, and drivers and plow operators may not see a child on or behind them. Our guide how to keep kids and pets safe during plow visits has more on this.
- Set aside a play corner in the backyard or the side yard, away from the driveway and the road.
- Do not dig tunnels or caves into large banks. They can collapse without warning.
Keep the everyday routes clear
A busy rink season means more trips in and out with skates, shovels and hockey bags. The front steps, the walkway and any side door take a beating, and wet boots bring water onto steps where it can refreeze overnight. Our guides why steps and walkways get icy before driveways and snow paths to sheds, side gates and garage side doors have tips for those routes. If you have a dog playing out there too, choose a pet-safe de-icer for the steps.
How a seasonal plan helps
A rink is plenty of shovelling on its own. A seasonal snow removal plan looks after the front of the house: your driveway is cleared automatically from December 1 to March 31 whenever 5 cm or more falls. In long storms we come back for return visits, the City windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared, and you get a timestamped photo after every visit. Our plans cover the driveway, with walkway, steps and sidewalk as add-ons, so mention anything else when you request your quote.
Prices (all plus HST):
- Single or 1.5-car driveway: $650 to $725 for the season
- Double driveway: $815
- 3-car, paver or stamped driveway: $1,050
- Walkway and steps: from $150, or $175 for a walk plus up to 6 steps; sidewalk $90
- Seasonal salt, including freezing rain and refreeze visits: $175
- Pet-safe de-icer: $120
- Priority early-morning clearing: $125
- Season extension from November 1 to April 15: add $95
Prefer to pay only when you need it? Per-visit snow removal is $70 to $85 a visit. Seasonal plans take a 30% deposit with the balance before December 1, and seniors and front-line workers save 5% on seasonal plans. We carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, are registered with WSIB and are LPMA members.
Get a quote
Every quote is measured from City of London maps, and residential quotes come back within 1 business day. Ask for a free quote or call or text (548) 639-2069.
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