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We use what is commonly known as Wedding Cake steps in our above-ground pool. The manufacturer recommends two 50 pound bags of sand as weights in the space provided inside the bottom step but we've never been comfortable with that method. The thought of a bag bursting open and spilling sand into the pool gives me the shivers. Then there's the issue of removal of the bags at the end of the season. Our pool stays open until late into October; while the water is far too cold for people, the dogs enjoy it. But who wants to get into 50 F water to remove 100 pounds of sand???? This year we came up with a solution which has worked well for us: Sand filled PVC tubes. Materials needed: 3" PVC pipe, cut to the lengths suitable to your steps. End caps and screw caps.PVC glue. Sand or Quickcrete or gravel - anything heavy with which to fill the tubes. Plastic ties, S-hooks, yellow nylon boat rope. |
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We cut three lengths of PVC pipe to fit inside the cubby hole made by the bottom step. Two tupes lay side-by-side with the third one on top, forming sort of a pyramid. The tubes are filled with sand. We added a little water to expell air and we did add some bleach to keep algae from growing inside the tubes. One end has a cap glued on, the other end has the screw top. |
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This shows the placement of the three tubes. |
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In order to stabilize the back of the steps we made three more tubes, filled with sand, and hung them with S-hooks on plastic ties which we threaded through holes drilled into the top step. |
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The tubes inside the cubby hole have nylon rope attached to them. The other end of the ropes is fastened to the plastic ties. To remove the steps at the end of the season, we first unhook the hanging tubes. This allows us to push the steps forward, away from the pool wall. We then gently tug on the nylon ropes, free the bottom tubes, and haul them out. By now, the steps are floating and can be lifted out of the water. Nobody has to get in to do this previously dreaded job! You may have noticed the round holes in the bottom and sides of the steps. These are 2" holes we cut to facilitate water circulation. Algae have a way of populating the dead space under these steps because there just isn't enough movement of sanitized water in that area, even with the slits which are already in the steps. When I brush the pool I swish the brush up and down, back and forth near the holes to push water into them. This has made a huge difference in keeping that area clean. If you want more info information
about pool care and maintenance please visit my favourite hangout, Ben
Powell's Pool Forum.
By using
the BBB method to sanitize and maintain our pool we have saved hundreds
of dollars and have spent our summer enjoying the pool rather than
being slaves to it. Bleach, Baking Soda, and Borax—it really is that
simple! |
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