How to Resurface a Homemade Zamboni

Building a backyard rink is a winter project your family will enjoy for many months. From skating parties to hockey games, the rink brings friends, family members and neighbors together. Once the rink is constructed and frozen, it needs regular maintenance to keep the ice surface smooth for skating. This is done by flooding the rink with a thin layer of fresh water that freezes into a glassy surface. Spreading the water out evenly is assisted with a homemade Zamboni.

Things You'll Need

  • 3/4-inch PVC pipe (10 feet)
  • Measuring tape
  • Hacksaw
  • Sandpaper
  • PVC T connector
  • 2 PVC caps
  • PVC female hose connector
  • PVC primer
  • PVC cement
  • Drill
  • 3/32-inch drill bit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and mark the PVC pipe for two 2.5-foot sections and one 5-foot section. Cut along these lines with a hacksaw. Sand the cut ends with sandpaper to remove any burrs.

    • 2

      Apply PVC primer to the inside of the T connection, one end of each of the two 2.5-foot sections and one end of the 5-foot PVC pipe. Apply PVC cement to the same locations and push the two short PVC pipes into the top connectors on the T connection so they are one long pipe. Push the 5-foot PVC pipe into the bottom of the T connection.

    • 3

      Connect the two caps to the open ends of the 2.5-foot PVC pipes using the primer and glue.

    • 4

      Fasten the PVC female hose connector to the other end of the 5-foot section of PVC pipe with primer and glue. Allow the pipe connections to dry overnight.

    • 5

      Lay the PVC pipe on a workbench and mark the two 2.5-foot sections of pipe every inch with a marker.

    • 6

      Drill a 3/32-inch hole in every one of the markings.