What to Expect When You Hire a Backyard Rink Builder in Toronto
Quick Summary: When you hire a backyard rink builder in Toronto or the GTA, the process runs from an in-person site assessment through to frame installation, liner installation, first flood, ongoing maintenance, and spring teardown.Every step is handled by our team. Here is exactly what happens at each stage so you know what to expect before you book.
Critical: An onsite assessment from a rink builder with a laser level is impressive. Quoting over the phone and building without a plan or pre made measurements is a major red flag.
Hiring a backyard rink builder in Toronto for the first time comes with a lot of questions. How does the process work? What do you need to do? How long does each step take? This post walks you through the full Rinkbuild process from first contact to final skate so there are no surprises along the way.
Step 1: The Site Visit and Measurement
Every backyard rink builder in Toronto should start with an in-person site assessment, and that is exactly how every Rinkbuild installation begins.
During the assessment we look at the size and shape of the available space, the slope of the yard, any limitations or liabilities that need to be accounted for, and any access considerations that will affect the installation. We take precise measurements and laser level readings to collect the data needed to plot the blueprint for your rink.
The assessment is also a conversation. We talk with you about who will be skating on the rink and how they skate. This matters more than most people expect. We do not want to build a rink that is too large when the primary skaters are young children who will not be able to help clear snow off a big surface. And we do not want to build a rink that is too small when the skaters are older and need room to move. We also ask whether the rink will be used for hockey, figure skating, or pleasure skating, because that affects the shape. Hockey players typically want a rectangle. Pleasure skaters and young children often do better with a squarer shape that keeps the surface compact and manageable.
The goal of the site visit is to gather everything we need to propose the best possible rink for your yard and your family. The assessment can be done with you at home in person, or if that is not possible we can work through the details with you over the phone while our representative is on site.
Step 2: Frame Installation
Frame installation typically takes three to four hours depending on the size of the rink, the conditions of the yard, and the time of year.
During this visit our crew installs the frame and, depending on the weather and ground conditions, the stakes as well. Sometimes we will wait to do the final staking when the liner goes in, particularly on yards with more slope or grade where the frame may need minor adjustments before the liner is fitted. A frame sitting in your yard for several weeks between installation and liner day is completely normal. During that time small adjustments may be needed to ensure everything is perfectly positioned before the liner goes in.
The frame installation is the step that most people do not see coming in terms of how straightforward it is. Our crew comes in, does their work, and leaves your yard with a clean, well-built frame ready for winter. You do not need to be home for this step if you have provided access.
Step 3: Liner Installation and First Flood
Liner installation happens as soon as we have a reliable cold snap in the forecast. This step moves quickly. Depending on the size of the liner and the accessibility of your yard, the liner installation takes anywhere from thirty minutes to one hour.
The moment the liner is in, flooding begins. Our crew will always start the water for you before they leave. The Rinkbuild office will then send you a time-stamped message letting you know when to turn the hose off. This estimate comes from our laser level readings. It gives you a reliable guide for how long the fill will take. It is an estimation rather than an exact figure, so you may need to add a little more water after the initial fill, but it prevents the most common first-flood mistake of leaving the hose running too long and overflowing the liner.
If you have booked our water truck service, the fill happens on the same day as the liner install and you do not need to manage the water at all.
Step 4: Ongoing Maintenance Through the Season
Once the ice is in, ongoing maintenance is available on a weekly, biweekly, or one-off basis depending on what your rink needs.
Our maintenance service uses a combination of our in-house rink mower, our Rink Zamboni, torches, and hands-on work to address anything that could affect your ice surface or your frame. Ruined ice, warm spell damage, frame issues. Our team handles all of it.
The frame itself comes with a one hundred percent guarantee. If anything goes wrong with the frame during the season, we fix it at no additional cost to you. Maintenance of the ice surface carries a cost, with discounts available for weekly customers who commit to a regular service schedule.
For families who want to step onto great ice every time without thinking about it, the weekly maintenance package is the easiest way to run a rink all winter.
Step 5: Teardown and Storage in Spring
When the season ends and the ice melts, we come back out to take everything down. Our teardown service includes pumping out any remaining water and disassembling the frame and liner.
For storage you have two options. We can store your rink off-site at our own facility, which keeps everything out of your yard and in a secure, covered environment until the following season. Or we can store it on-site, tucked away under a deck, in a garage, or covered in your yard with that season’s tarp. Both options work well and the right choice depends on your available space and personal preference.
Having your rink stored properly through the off-season protects the liner and the frame and ensures everything is ready to go when October comes around again.
What First-Time Rink Owners Ask Their Backyard Rink Builder
What size are the boards?
We use 2x12x12 lumber cut to size depending on the dimensions of your rink. The exact cut will be determined during your site assessment based on your yard measurements and slope. Your estimator will walk you through this during the visit.
How thick is the liner?
We use a premium 12 mil white liner on every installation. The 12 mil thickness gives you the durability to handle the weight of the water, the pressure of the ice, and the conditions of a full GTA winter without puncturing. White is non-negotiable for us because it reflects sunlight and gives you the best possible ice-making performance throughout the season.
How long will I be skating?
In a typical GTA winter most clients skate from just before or just after Christmas through to March Break. That is roughly ten to twelve weeks of usable ice. How close you are to Lake Ontario and the strength of that particular winter are the two biggest variables.
Why should I go with Rinkbuild instead of building it myself?
A DIY rink is possible but involves significant risk if you are not familiar with slope management, liner fitting, and frame construction. Rinkbuild brings over twenty years of experience, the right materials, and a one hundred percent frame guarantee. We have also helped many homeowners recover from DIY builds that ran into problems mid-season. Building it right the first time is almost always less expensive than fixing it after the fact.
Why choose Rinkbuild as your backyard rink builder in Toronto?
Rinkbuild is one of the only back yard rink builders who do free onsite assessments with a laser level before quoting.
As a backyard rink builder serving Toronto and the GTA for over twenty years, Rinkbuild has completed more than one thousand installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home for the site assessment?
You can be home during the assessment or we can conduct it while you are at work and go through the details with you over the phone. Either way a Rinkbuild representative will be on site in person to take measurements and evaluate the yard.
How long does the full installation process take from booking to first skate?
The timeline from booking to first skate depends on when you book and when the cold snap arrives. Clients who book in September or October have their frames installed in October or November and are typically skating by late December. Clients who book later in the season may wait until January or beyond depending on availability.
What happens if something goes wrong with the frame mid-season?
The frame comes with a one hundred percent guarantee. If anything goes wrong with the frame during the season we will come out and fix it at no cost to you. Ice surface issues are handled through our maintenance service.
Can I add maintenance later in the season if I did not book it upfront?
Yes. You can add a one-off maintenance visit at any point during the season. Weekly and biweekly packages offer the best value and the most consistent ice quality, but single visits are available when you need a rink save.
What happens to the liner after the season?
Our team disassembles the liner as part of the teardown service and stored either at our facility or on your property depending on your preference. A well cared for liner can last multiple seasons, but we recommend a new one each year, its not worth the risk.
Ready to get started? Contact Rinkbuild for a free site assessment. We serve Toronto and the GTA and frame installations begin in October.