Pre-Season Checklist for AquaClimb Climbing Walls

Before you put your AquaClimb climbing wall back in service for the season, we suggest that you follow the steps of our Pre-Season Checklist* to get your wall ready to go.

Base

  • Check ALL anchor bolts for tightness, corrosion, and that each one has an Acorn Nut for protection

  • Check general condition and extent of ‘tea-stain’ discoloration of base especially around the anchor holes.

  • Check connection bracket between vertical portion of the wall and base, including the Cotter Pin - Clevis Pin assembly.

  • Check bonding connection point, ensure clean connection between stud and bonding wire to ground against corrosion.

  • Check the surrounding concrete deck to ensure it is intact, no excessive cracking from weather related conditions. If in doubt send photos to AquaClimb for review.

Climbing Wall Front

  • Check to ensure that each Climbing Panel is attached at each corner with a 3/8” button head and in the middle of each edge of the panel with a 1/4” button head. Ensure the bolt torque settings are correct @ 3/8” bolt Panel to Frame @ 4Nm and the 1/4” bolt Panel to Frame @ 1Nm.

  • Check to ensure there is no cracking of the panel around the bolt holes. If there is, and the crack is less than 1” long, then loosen the bolt and re-torque to correct torque setting. If the crack is greater than 1”, please contact AquaClimb and send photos for evaluation.

  • Check the climbing holds for any looseness and re-torque to 18Nm, if and where required.

  • Check to ensure there is no cracking of the panel around the climbing hold. If there is, and the crack is less than 1” long, then loosen the bolt and re-torque to correct torque setting. If the crack is greater than 1”, please contact AquaClimb and send photos for evaluation.

  • Check to make sure that the vertical and horizontal gaps between Panels are small enough to ensure there is no possibility of finger entrapment. We recommend the gap between all panels must never exceed 1/4”. If there is an issue, please photograph and contact AquaClimb.

  • Check the areas between the panel and the frame for algae and discoloration. If this is the case, the best solution is to power wash the frame and panels in place to remove the contamination.

  • Check each panel and climbing hold for UV light deterioration. This does not affect the strength of the panel but it does affect the aesthetic look of your AquaClimb. The panels and holds are very simple to replace or even upgrade to the latest models and designs, so this might be worth considering. Contact AquaClimb to discuss the options.

Climbing Wall Back

  • Check the bolt ends on the outer edges of the frame have the Acorn Nut to protect climbers on the ends of each bolt, both the 3/8” and 1/4”. If you are missing these items please contact AquaClimb for replacements.

  • If two climbing wall sections have been bolted together (applies to 2 wide, 3 wide & 4 wide walls), check the connection bolts that connect the vertical sections together are tight and that they include the nylon spacer between the steel frames.

  • Check the curved braces are connected firmly at the top, at the middle and at the bottom on the Base section. In particular, check the welded flanges located at the top horizontal member of the climbing frame and the rear member of the Base. These include the bolts that hold the small connector plates (four per section on the 4 and 5 panel high wall, two per section on the 3 panel high wall) from the threaded horizontal rod on the frame to the curved brace.

  • Check that the hinge threaded rod that connects frame sections together is intact, has a nut on either end and is finished on outer edges only with an Acorn nut, to prevent climber injury.

  • Check rear of frames specifically around the bolt holes for excessive ‘tea-staining’ corrosion. If present, clean thoroughly. If any concerns please send photos to the AquaClimb team for review.

* Note: This checklist is intended to be a quick reference guide. All items on this checklist, including torque settings, should be completed to the specifications in the installation guide and operations manual for your climbing wall.

Cherie Moy