How Do I Locate and Patch a Leak in My Tarp?

A small leak in your tarp doesn't mean your season is over. In most cases, you can quickly locate the leak and make a simple repair to get back on the ice without having to replace the tarp mid-season.

The easiest way to locate a tarp leak is to look for wet spots or water slowly escaping around the outside of your rink.

If the leak isn't obvious, pour one gallon of milk mixed with a few drops of food coloring into your rink near the suspected area. As the mixture makes its way to the leak, you'll see the colored liquid flow toward the leak, making it much easier to pinpoint the exact location of the hole.

Once you've found the leak, mark the area so it's easy to locate when you're ready to make the repair.

Cover the damaged area with a high-quality waterproof repair tape, such as Flex Tape®, making sure the tape extends several inches beyond the hole or tear on all sides. Press the tape down firmly to create a complete seal.

Step 3: Refill the Rink

Once that patch is in place refill to the correct water level (4 inches in the most shallow part) and check to be sure the patch is holding. Allow the rink to freeze and get back out on the ice.

If you're unable to locate the leak or the repair isn't holding, contact our Customer Care team with photos of the damaged area. We'll help you determine the best next steps to get your YardRink back in playing condition.