Yes but there is no need to do that and the insulation on the sides of the pool may cause the pool to 'sweat' which may also cause the walls to rust and corrode.
Over 95% of the heat loss on an above ground pool occurs through the surface of the pool. A solar cover is your best option to prevent heat loss in the pool.
CaliMar filter systems come standard with a 9’ hose. This will allow for the filter system to sit between the skimmer and the pool return at a distance of about 3’ from the pool wall. It is possible to hard plumb the filter system in place using Schedule 40 rigid PVC piping. Depending upon the filter system size and when using Schedule 40 piping it is possible for the filter system to be placed upwards of 20’ away from the pool. All CaliMar above ground pools are matched with a filter system which is more than adequate for the gallons of water in the pool.
There is no one specific method of physically taking the wrinkles out of a liner. It’s really a matter of what works best for you. Though there are really only 3 methods of when to take out the wrinkles.
- Liner is in the pool and just sitting there -
- There are times when a liner is put in a pool and it fits almost perfect with only minor wrinkles which "pull themselves out" when the weight of the water is applied and the liner stretches.
- Liner is in the pool and a vacuum is used to suck the air out -
- Using a vacuum suck the air out from behind the liner. Be sure to seal with duct tape any openings around the pool that would prevent a good vacuum seal. As the liner gets pulled back against the wall and floors you will be able to see how the liner will ‘lay down’.
It is at this point which the wrinkles can be worked out by spreading the liner in small increments in any number of different directions depending upon how the wrinkle lies and the height of the wrinkle. Some wrinkles need to be slowly taken down over the course of a few feet of moving the wrinkle away and slowly making the wrinkle smaller and smaller until it disappears.
Once the wrinkles are out of the liner; leave the vacuum on until the pool has at least 12” of water in it. This will allow the weight of the water to hold the liner in place when the vacuum is taken off of the liner.- Liner is in the pool and pool is filling with water -
- Of the 3 methods, this can be the most difficult. It can be difficult because even an inch of water makes it very difficult to move the liner and slowly spread it out as described in step two above.
- This is an unwritten fourth method which is to do both #2 and #3 above at the same time. This process is really only for the pros because if you’re not quick about it the liner may get to much water on in and then you can’t move the liner any more.
No, not exactly. The reason sand is used in the pool bottom is because the liner manufacturers require a non-abrasive material between the liner and the ground. It's also the cheapest and easiest to install. A 2" sand bed must be installed under the liner, then a product called Happy Bottom or Perfect Pool Pad is great for reducing the amount of sand required but not eliminating it.
You can elect not to use sand but a sand cement mix. This would be the ultimate type of pool bottom to use because the material becomes solid and does not leave footprints or drag marks when the liner is put in. It is possible to make you own sand cement mix on the job site.Use 7 shovels of sand to 1 shovel of gray Portland Cement. Mix it in a paddle mixer until the consistency is about like that of a heavy bodied oatmeal. Typically 2 - 3 batches can be mixed at a time and will fit into a standard size construction wheel barrow.
To determine where the patio blocks go under the bottom track of the pool the entire bottom track should be assembled with the bottom plates. Measurements should be done across the track to ensure the pool is perfectly symmetrical. During the installation of the pool wall, there are times when the bottom tracks need to be adjusted inward out outward marking the area slightly larger or smaller than it was initially. Using a 12” x 12” patio block centered under each of the bottom plates should provide more than enough room to make these types of adjustments.
Yes. When installing a heater on a hard sided above ground pool it is a good practice to use rigid schedule 40 plumbing for the entire filtration system. There are 3 primary types of above ground pool heaters:
- Gas fired heaters
- Heat Pumps
- Solar Heaters
Hands Down the best alternative to chlorine is the Pool Frog Mineral Reservoir System. It is also the number one alternative to saltwater chlorine generators. These units will NOT void any above ground pool manufacturer’s warranty by using it.
- NO ALGAE GUARANTEE
- Less Water Maintenance, Uses up to 50% Less Chlorine
- Just the right amount with pref-filled pacs
- No More Red Eyes, No Fading or Bleaching of Swimsuits
- Soft & Gentle on the Skin
- Two Year Warranty
A Pool Frog System is the complete pool water care system with a No Algae Guarantee when used as directed. That's right, have a no algae swimming pool all season long.
Pool Frog System will make you a believer in mineral pool care with above ground pool water that feels incredibly silky soft, so your skin stays silky smooth. When installed on one of our above ground pools, it’s like looking into a mirror because mineral water has a crystal clear shine.
Pool Frog Mineral technology reduces chlorine use up to 50%. Just replace the pool frog Bac-Pac every 6 months or one pool season and experience much less work, so you’ll have more time to vacation in and around your above ground pool.
Pool Frog 6100 System makes a difference you can see and feel:
- Clear Water
- Less Water Maintenance ( Uses up to 50% Less Chlorine )
- Less Work with pref-filled pacs
- Recyclable Containers
- No More Red Eyes
- Soft & Gentle on the Skin
- Easier on Pool Surfaces
- No Fading or Bleaching of Swimsuits
- Two Year Warranty
- Don't forget to BAM your pool with Pool Frog Bam - It's the no algae hassle guarantee
The Pool Frog Cycler Unit is installed next to the filter system. The Frog Cycler should be installed in the Return side of the pool filter. This is the line which would normally go from the multiport valve on the pool filter to the pool return in the pool side wall.
The Pool Frog can be installed in an elevated position, up in the air near the multi-port or can sit down on a concrete or paver base. Both types of installation are depicted below. The Pool Frog comes standard for elevated installation. Additional optional hose will be needed for base or ground installation.
If you’re looking for an installer you can certainly contact the local pool company/installer. However, these pools do not require any special training per se. Ie. Installer does not have to be a swimming pool company. There are many local ‘handymen’, general contractors, concrete companies, landscapers, etc. that install above ground pools. If you know of someone or have a friend who has had a pool installed you can always ask them.
There are also plenty of sources online that you can utilize for finding a competent installer. There are sites like the Facebook ‘Local Pages’, Google, Houzz, Angie’s List, Etc. which may be a good source for finding an installer.
Yes. If you are relatively handy, can follow written directions then putting an above ground pool together should not be that difficult. Of course if you’ve any questions along the way, you are more than welcome to give us a call and we’ll ‘walk you through it’.
- Round CaliMar above ground pool installation video: https://youtu.be/edSgCSzHanU
- Oval CaliMar above ground pool installation video: https://youtu.be/x7vQkXZcfvI
With any installation questions regarding pool installation you can contact our customer support staff who is ready willing and able to assist you. There may be times where we need to bring the individual manufacturers into the conversation.
No. Expandable liners are not expandable in the sense that they stretch like a Spandex material does. Expandable liners have plasticizers which do minimally stretch but there is a specific fixed maximum depth. They are made of vinyl material that is only made to slightly stretch due to its pliability. The term expandable liner originates from the concept of a flat bottom above ground pool. Taking a flat bottom pool mindset and expanding it to have a slightly deeper swim area.
Several years ago there were only flat bottom above ground pools. A fixed depth if you will. Then a liner was designed that would allow the flat bottom concept to be expanded to include a deeper area for swimming. Thus the birth of expandable pool liners. Today, the expandable liner depths now vary from 60" to 72" depending upon the liner manufacture.
The bottom plates have tabs on them. Slide the bottom tracks all the way in until they stop. Once the wall is in the bottom track, they may have to be adjusted outward to allow the pool wall enough area to sit down in the bottom track and properly bolt together.
No. It is not at all uncommon for the wall ends not to meet up exactly when first installing the pool wall. If the ends don’t meet together with bolt holes aligning, equally adjust all the bottom tracks/rails inward or outward depending upon if the wall appears to short or too long.
No. Fill material can wash away or settle over time allowing the pool to become out of level and thus unstable. When a pool becomes too far out of level it causes undue stress on the downward wall which will cause it to burst which could result in property damage, personal injury and/or death.
No. The bottom track/rails should sit on the ground but the bottom plates which join the bottom track/rails together must sit on patio blocks. The ground can possibly settle differently in different areas around the pool causing the pool to become out of level, causing an eventual pool wall failure which could result in property damage, personal injury and/or death.
Pool wall 'buckling' is not normal but is not uncommon. If pool and liner are installed correctly, the wall should ‘bounce’ back.
Buckling can occur when:
- This can also be a sign of the liner not installed correctly
- Liner is not symmetrical in the pool
- Liner over the wall too much on lap over liners
- If the pool is out of level the walls will buckle and could cause irreversible damage to the pool and/or personal property.
Why do I Need Pool Cove?
The red arrows represent the force of water pushing against the Earth and the pool wall. The point where these two forces meet is indicated by the purple arrow. At this point, the net force is of such magnitude that it will force your liner under your pool wall and can cause it to rupture. A cove disperses those forces so that the liner will not slip under the wall.
Doughboy liners are just that good which is why they're able to offer the industry’s most comprehensive and exhaustive warranties. No one else has this strong of an above ground pool liner warranty.
Above Ground Pools
Above ground pools should have a dedicated 20 amp breaker. Generally only 110/120 volt connections are all that are needed. Any in pool lighting should have a dedicated GFCI breaker for in pool lighting connections. Additionally any outdoor outlets should also be on a GFCI breaker.Consult an electrical inspector, licensed electrician and equipment installation/users manuals for exact electricity requirements and proper wire sizing.
In Ground & On Ground Pools
In Ground and On Ground pools should have a dedicated 20 amp breaker. Generally only 110/120 volt connections are all that are needed for the equipment. Any in pool lighting should have a dedicated GFCI breaker for in pool lighting connections.Consult an electrical inspector, licensed electrician and equipment installation/users manuals for exact electricity requirements and proper wire sizing.
There should not be any more than ¾” difference in elevation between any two patio blocks used under the pool uprights.
No. The patio blocks should be placed level in the ground such that the top of the patio block is level with the top of the ground. This will allow the bottom track/rails to sit firmly on solid ground that will not wash away over time.
Patio blocks are only required to go underneath of the vertical uprights, not under the bottom track/rail.
Simply Add the number of uprights in the pool package and that is how many patio blocks you will need. It is possible to buy 12" x 12" x 2" thick patio blocks and have them cut in half to use under the uprights.
The patio blocks under the vertical uprights should be 2” thick and can vary in length & width from 12” x 12” to 6” x 8”. Use only single patio blocks. Do not put multiple blocks together as they can become out of level and damage the pool frame.
Once the installation site is level and the assembly process is ready; an above ground pool is typically assembled using 3 people in 1 day. To be on the safe side plan on a weekend.
One of the potential dangers of burying a pool in the ground is the ground pressure pushing the side walls in and them collapsing on someone causing property damage, personal injury or death. When done properly it is possible to partially bury an above ground pool in the ground.
In general terms this is how it's done. At a minimum you'll need to at least do the following:
- Over-dig the area around the pool by 12"
- Line the pool wall that will be in the ground with a heavy bodied plastic going down the wall and across the "over-dig" area.
- Place a slotted drain pipe in the "over-dig" area and extend it out to a place that will allow any ground water to drain. (Water should not ever stand up against a pool wall.)
- Once drain pipe is installed back fill on-top of the pipe with 3/4" gravel up to 3" of where the ground will be.
- Then place dirt, grass, etc.
Below is a slotted drain pipe with a sock on it to prevent dirt from entering the drain pipe. The gravel below the pipe is the type of gravel to cover the drain pipe with.
Always consult the manufactures warranty information to determine if the pool will still maintain the manufactures warranty if it is buried in this fashion, as there are also other methods of partially burying a pool in the ground.If the pool is to be installed 12” or more in the ground and the soil around the pool is sandy or non-compactible and will not stay in place then it may be necessary to pour a cement ‘slurry’ solution around the pool perimeter if the pool. This is because if the pool is ever empty the loose ground surrounding the pool will want to and can push inward on the wall, collapsing it inward. Typically if the soil is compactible, it will not push into the pool when the pool is empty for a short period of time.
No. When a properly sized pool liner is first installed, it will not sit flat on the floor across the entire pool bottom. Additionally, the liner will not completely lay against the walls.
Liners are designed to be slightly smaller than the pool so they will form fit into and against the pool as the pool is filled with water. Having a gap at the bottom of the pool wall of 3” – 4” is not uncommon. By engineering and design, liners are made to 'stretch' into place.
No. The liner manufactures do not always have the liner seam directly at the bottom of the pool wall or along the cove. The seam is usually higher than the floor and may partially come up the wall. This is done by design by the liner manufactures.
The liner seam should be uniform around the entire pool as shown in the image below.
Yes. We recommend either of the two methods below:
- A 2” Thick sand/cement mix is a great bottom to put in an above ground pool. It is semi-permanent concrete that will keep its form and consistency for years to come. This type of material allows for a perfectly smooth surface and when completed a pool pad can be put between the sand cement surface and the pool liner to create that ‘new carpet’ feeling of padding under the feet when walking. On ground pools do not require a pool pad nor pool cove. A pool cove is not required because the pool liners are custom made to fit the pool at 90 degree angle where the wall meets the floor.
For cost purposes it is possible to make your own sand/cement mix on the job. We use a ratio of 6 shovels of masonry sand to 1 shovel of Gray Portland cement in a rented paddle mixer. Using a paddle mixer will allow 2 – 3 loads of sand/cement mix to be made at one time.
- Pool Krete Premix is a quality blend of expanded vermiculite, Portland cement, and admixtures designed to be mixed with water and troweled to form a long-lasting hard bottom for on ground pools. The proper use of Pool Krete will enhance the quality of the pool installation and prolong the life of the vinyl liner.
Pool Krete is a porous but rigid liner base, which offers numerous benefits to both the pool installer and the pool owner. With no waste and minimal clean up, this professional approach to hard bottom installations result in greater customer satisfaction.
Never use a true concrete or any material with rocks in the base.
No. There is debris in the dirt which can puncture a hole in the liner due to the weight of the water and peoples feet pressing downward and twisting on the liner.
For more information also see:
- What type of sand do I need to put under my above ground pool liner?
Not necessarily. It is totally natural for the liner to have wrinkles when it is first put into a pool. A properly sized liner will almost always have wrinkles when it’s first installed but when it is full of water; all wrinkles should be gone.
Sifted sand is what is recommended to go underneath an above ground pool liner.
You may find a material like a sifted crush 'n run which can be tamped down in place. If using this material it is recommended that you also top that with some pool bottom material and use a Pre-Fabricated cove material. Such as these listed below:
- Horizon Pool Pad & Cove Kit for above ground pools
- GLI Armor Shield & Gladon Pool Cove kit for a 12' Pool
A 2” Thick sand/cement mix is a great bottom to put in an above ground pool. It is semi-permanent concrete that will keep its form and consistency for years to come. This type of material allows for a perfectly smooth surface and when completed a pool pad can be put between the sand cement surface and the pool liner to create that ‘new carpet’ feeling of padding under the feet when walking. On ground pools do not require a pool pad nor pool cove. A pool cove is not required because the pool liners are custom made to fit the pool at 90 degree angle where the wall meets the floor.
For cost purposes it is possible to make your own sand/cement mix on the job. We use a ratio of 6 shovels of masonry sand to 1 shovel of Gray Portland cement in a rented paddle mixer. Using a paddle mixer will allow 2 – 3 loads of sand/cement mix to be made at one time.
Sand should be placed in the center of the pool prior to putting up the pool wall. It's easier than shoveling sand over the wall.
Don't spread the sand out until just before you put the liner in place. Spread the sand out making a 2" bed under the liner. Where the bottom of the wall meets the floor a 6" cove should be made to allow the liner to migrate from the pull wall around to the floor.Once the sand is spread out making a 2" bottom, use a hand tamp to tamp the sand down to a smooth flat surface.
52" Walls
(Approx. Gallons)
54" Walls
(Approx. Gallons)
Yards of Sand 12' Round 3,568 3,704 1
15' Round 5,068 5,260 1 - 1-1/2
16' Round 5,382 5,586 1-1/2
18' Round 7,298 7,575 1-1/2 - 2 21' Round 9,930 10,307 2-1/2 - 3 24' Round 12,974 13,467 3 - 3-1/2 27' Round 16,420 17,044 3-1/2 - 4 28' Round 16,995 17,641 4 30' Round 20,710 21,497 5 33' Round 27,500 28,545 6 12' x 18' Oval 5,100 5,294 1 - 1-1/2
12' x 20' Oval 5,667 5,882 1-1/2
12' x 21' Oval 5,950 6,176 1-1/2
12' x 23' Oval 6,500 6,747 1-1/2 - 2
12' x 24' Oval 6,800 7,058 1-1/2 - 2 15' x 24' Oval 8,500 8,823 2 15' x 26' Oval 9,200 9,550 2-1/2
15' x 30' Oval
11,521 11,959 3 - 3-1/2 16' x 24' Oval
9,831 10,205 3
16' x 28' Oval
11,470 11,906
3-1/2 16' x 32' Oval
13,109 13,607
3-1/2 - 4
18' x 33' Oval 15,041 15,613 4 - 4-1/2 18' x 34' Oval
15,497 16,086 4-1/2 18' x 40' Oval 17,900 18,580 4-1/2 - 5 21' x 41' Oval 20,200 20,967 5 - 5-1/2
21' x 43' Oval
21,185 21,990
6
Gallons and Yards of Sand Needed under the liner are approximates.
Round Pools
Most of the time when this happens the pool is either not true round, making it a bit elliptical and/or the pool is out of level.
Consult the manufactures installation instructions for proper cross dimensional measurements.Oval Pools
When this occurs on oval pools, it generally occurs if the two straight sides of the pool are not considered 'square'. Ie. they do not have equal cross dimensions and/or the ends of the pool are not a true half round. The pool may also be out of level causing the liner not to fit correctly.
Consult the manufactures installation instructions for proper cross dimensional measurements.
The ground should be free of all exposed roots, rocks and ground objects that have any sort of jagged edge or protrusion which may work their way up through the sand and puncture the liner.
Pool Placement - The pool should not be placed over top of septic lines, phone, power or water lines, Etc. Pool should not be placed immediately underneath or beside overhead power lines.
See manufactures warnings for more specific information or contact the manufacture directly.
Some of the CaliMar brand pool walls come in two sections. The larger pools like the 30’ pool has two smaller wall sections which should be bolted together. Basically, the complete wall comes in two halves. They get bolted together to make the 30’ diameter pool.
When a pool comes with two wall sections, each of the two wall sections will have one skimmer and one return hole punched out of them. Inside each of those wall cartons under the carton flap, there will be two pieces of wall section. One to cover the skimmer hole and the other to cover the return hole. These pieces can be duct taped in place during assembly. Then the weight of the water holds them in place.
What information do I need to provide to get parts for my above ground pool?
- Customer Contact Information including delivery zip code
- Manufacturer of pool
- Model of pool
- Size of pool
- Pool Wall Height
- Quantity and best possible description of what is needed
Email to: [email protected]
What if I don't know any of that information?
- Provide as much of the information from above
- Send us a picture of the pool wall showing only 2 of the vertical uprights on the pool
Email to: [email protected]
If you are looking for a top rail (#1 Below) it is always beneficial if we can also get the longest length of the top rail to the nearest 1/8th inch.You can use the image below to help identify the various pool parts.
52" Walls
(Approx. Gallons)
54" Walls
(Approx. Gallons)
Yards of Sand 12' Round 3,568 3,704 1
15' Round 5,068 5,260 1 - 1-1/2
16' Round 5,382 5,586 1-1/2
18' Round 7,298 7,575 1-1/2 - 2 21' Round 9,930 10,307 2-1/2 - 3 24' Round 12,974 13,467 3 - 3-1/2 27' Round 16,420 17,044 3-1/2 - 4 28' Round 16,995 17,641 4 30' Round 20,710 21,497 5 33' Round 27,500 28,545 6 12' x 18' Oval 5,100 5,294 1 - 1-1/2
12' x 20' Oval 5,667 5,882 1-1/2
12' x 21' Oval 5,950 6,176 1-1/2
12' x 23' Oval 6,500 6,747 1-1/2 - 2
12' x 24' Oval 6,800 7,058 1-1/2 - 2 15' x 24' Oval 8,500 8,823 2 15' x 26' Oval 9,200 9,550 2-1/2
15' x 30' Oval
11,521 11,959 3 - 3-1/2 16' x 24' Oval
9,831 10,205 3
16' x 28' Oval
11,470 11,906
3-1/2 16' x 32' Oval
13,109 13,607
3-1/2 - 4
18' x 33' Oval 15,041 15,613 4 - 4-1/2 18' x 34' Oval
15,497 16,086 4-1/2 18' x 40' Oval 17,900 18,580 4-1/2 - 5 21' x 41' Oval 20,200 20,967 5 - 5-1/2
21' x 43' Oval
21,185 21,990
6
Gallons and Yards of Sand Needed under the liner are approximates.
Two people can put up most pools, but we recommend that you always have that extra hand so we say 3.
Household carpet should not be installed underneath any pool liner as the carpet will hold moisture and mold, fungus, algae will grow in the carpet and leach through the liner creating permanent stains and possible health hazard(s).
An approved vinyl liner underlayment material is highly recommended. There are several to choose from here.
No. The downward pressure on the bottom rail is the same as it is on the bottom plates of the pool. Therefore there is just as much pressure on the bottom rail as there is on the bottom plates. When the bottom rail is suspended between the bottom plates, a patio block or blocks must be installed along the top rail where the bottom rail is suspended in the air, just as it is under the bottom plates. Failure to do so may cause the wall and bottom rail to bow downward toward the ground.
A pool liner should not be installed in a pool when the ambient air temperature is below 60 degrees. Ideally 65 degrees with direct sunlight on the liner during installation will help allow the liner to be more pliable, creating a better fit.
If the liner must be installed when it’s below 60 degrees, then the vertical height of the pool cove should be 9”. In addition to increasing the height of the pol cove, the liner should be vacuumed back to the pool wall and floor prior to filling with water or cutting the liner in.
The optimum skimmer placement for an above ground pool is such that the prevailing wind blows toward the skimmer opening.
