The following chart describes some of the common problems with outdoor rink ice and suggests some remedies for consideration.
| Problem | Cause | Remedy |
|---|
| Shell or Shale ice | Heavy flooding, leaving ponds of water which freeze on top and run away underneath | - Scrape away, and fill with wet snow, or gradually build up with warm water resurfacing/flooding.
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| Cracked Ice | Cold temperatures | - Fill cracks with a wet snow slush and resurface/flood.
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| Pebble or Rough Ice | Too much snow on ice, or flooding while snowing, or scrapers not flat or not sharp enough, or you could be using too little water, if it ripples you are using too much water | - Make sure the ice is clean of all snow before resurfacing/flooding, or repair/sharpen scraper or blades or use warmer water.
- Make sure you are applying the correct amounts of water.
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| Ice Chipping | Brittle ice from severe cold weather | - Resurface/flood with warm water.
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| Spring Deterioration | Warm weather or painted lines absorbing sun’s rays or sun reflecting off the rink boards | - Do not allow skating and place snow on melting areas as a thicker layer of ice will help prevent melting in warm weather. Some rinks may have as much as 30 cm (12″) of ice by the end of the season.
- You can also try and bank snow up against the outside of the boards throughout the season will have an insulating effect in the warm weather.
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| Low Spots on the Ice | Excessive use, usually in goal crease, behind net, at players boxes, etc. | - Flood utilizing the bucket dump method in the evening after all the patrons have left.
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