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Maintenance

Your Calibay above ground pool is a carefree setting for hours of backyard fun. By dedicating just a few minutes to preventive pool care, you’ll ensure family fun for years to come.

  • Check the skimmer baskets on a regular basis to keep your water flowing at the maximum rate. Empty them as needed.
  • Keep the pool clean by collecting leaves and debris from the surface with a pool net. If dirt builds up on the bottom of the pool, use a pole vacuum or an automatic cleaner.
  • Monitor your mechanical system regularly to ensure there are no leaks.
  • Keep your pool wall and frame clean. Periodic washing with a mild, non-abrasive soap solution will do the trick. A clear, non-yellowing household wax can be applied to all metal components.
  • Any pool chemical deposits that settle along the frame should be washed away immediately.
  • Check the balance of your pool water two or three times a week.
  • Your Calibay or pool chemical authorized dealer is the best resource for keeping your pool in prime working order. Often, many water and surface problems can be handled by the individual  pool owner. Always make sure the water is properly balanced prior to any addition of corrective chemicals.

Seasonal Guide

For pool owners, pool season is hands down the favorite time of year. Thanks to advances in technology, that period continues to expand – making early spring and late fall far more agreeable times for a refreshing dip. With good maintenance and a few helpful water-warming tools, people in every region of the country are delighting in increased pool time.

Properly opening or closing your pool is an important part of good maintenance, and it’s an easy way to ensure a long life for your above ground pool. As always, check with your Calibay dealer or your pool chemical professional for region-specific opening and closing procedures.

Winterizing

You purchased a pool for the enjoyment, not the upkeep. Your Calibay Pools above ground pool is designed with this concept in mind – right down to its easy winterizing steps.

  • Your winterizing process begins by conducting an inspection of the pool. When the weather shifts toward cooler temps, take a few minutes, walk around the pool and check out the connections and the liner. Make sure both are secure and in good condition. The winter climate puts us all to the test, and your pool is no different. Making certain it is in prime working order before it begins its winter rest will ensure an easy spring startup.
  • Lower the water level to about one-foot below the skimmer holes. You should maintain this level throughout the winter months, so be sure to make adjustments if necessary following heavy rain  or snow.
  • Before shutdown, take a sample of your water to your chemical provider for water analysis. The dealer will provide instructions to balance the water as needed.
  • Clean the pool by brushing the walls, skimming the water surface and vacuuming the bottom of the pool. Empty the pump and skimmer baskets. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean or backwash the filter. Use a filter cleaner or degreaser, following the label instructions.
  • Shock the pool water before you shut things down and include an algaecide treatment. Run your filter 24-48 hours before you close down the pool to ensure the water is as clean as possible for the winter. Your chemical supplier may also suggest a winterizing agent that will expedite your springtime startup.
  • Disconnect the plumbing from the pool and drain the water from equipment such as the pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, hoses and pipes as recommended by the manufacturers. Check with your Calibay Pools dealer about additional protection for pipes and equipment. Store any off-line items (ladders, skimmer baskets, etc.).
  • Cover the pool with a high-quality winter cover that prevents debris from accumulating.

In the more temperate regions of the country, closing your pool may not be necessary, particularly if your water does not run the risk of freezing. Be sure to check with your local Calibay Pools dealer before making such decisions.

If you do decide to keep your above ground pool open all year long, these minimum care standards should be followed:

  • Operate the pump as recommended by the manufacturer. If the temperature dips into the freezing range, operate the pump continuously.
  • Maintain a recommended pH and sanitizer levels.
  • Be sure your pool stays debris free – remove any leaves or dirt that might find their way into the water.

Opening Your Pool

The end of cold weather spells the beginning of pool time for you and your family. Starting up your above ground pool is a quick and simple process. By following a short list of startup measures, you’ll ensure your pool is swim ready when you are.

  1. Remove your winter cover. Clean and protect it and store it in a cool, dry place.
  2. Remove leaves and debris from the pool bottom.
  3. Inspect your plumbing and check all connections for proper installation and operation.
  4. Add water up to the level recommended by the manufacturer.
  5. Once the water is at the desired level, add an algaecide, as recommended by your pool care professional and shock the pool.
  6. Run the filter until the water runs clear.
  7. Check the water balance.

Water Analysis

Your pool water should be tested two to three times a week. Keeping track of your water balance will create an optimum swim environment for you and your guests and ensure a long life for your pool.

Roll up your sleeves and reach down to elbow length for the best water sample – around 18 inches. A usable sample should include 8 ounces of water – trapped in a sample bottle or any clean, plastic container.

When conducting your own two-to-three-times weekly water analysis, remember that there are specific ranges for each test.

Test Range

* parts per million

The most important factor to your water balance is the pH. The pH sets the tone for your water and keeps things safe and inviting to your family and friends.

Total Alkalinity, or TA, refers to the alkaline materials dissolved in the pool water. Your water’s ability to resist pH changes depends on the alkaline material. Low TA can cause the pH to “bounce” in and out of range. High TA makes it difficult to adjust the pH as needed.

Calcium Hardness denotes the amount of dissolved minerals (mostly calcium carbonate) in your water. Low Calcium Hardness can corrode equipment or cause etching in the plaster finish. High levels can lead to cloudy water or scaling.

Once a month – or whenever you have questions about water levels – deliver a water sample to your authorized pool care product dealer. They will analyze the water and provide you with the necessary instruction to ensure proper water balance and chlorination levels in your pool.