Can we use water instead of sand as weight? We live in WNY &amp; are worried @ winter &amp; removing steps being so heavy, or can we leave them in pool?
846098
I use 2 empty large "Tidycat Lightweight" plastic containers. Fill them as much as possible with sand, then add water until they have very little air in them. Tuck them underneath these steps, or any steps, and secure with zip ties, or long white shoestrings to the ladder. This will hold the ladder down but you can undo them and take them out in the winter. You can use a little less sand/water mix to make it lighter to lift if you use 3 or more containers. This works great for me.
2118438
My deck is flush with the top flat metal rim of the pool. So, these steps go in the pool, but attach to the top flat rim of the pool (not the deck). If the deck was higher and slightly over the rim of the pool, then I imagine they would need to be attached to the deck. So when climbing up the stairs from the pool, you would step off onto the deck. They give you a template for drilling the holes. In my case, I had to drill into the metal rim of the pool, and had to be careful not to get the metal shavings in the water.
375847
Be sure to read through the instructions a couple of steps ahead of the one you are on. It helps. Also, we really only had 1 person put it together but we also had a 2nd person who was handing over parts/screws/etc as needed. We used 3 people to put it into the pool and finish set-up (2 could probably do it but we had 3 people on hand anyway). It took us some time to put the first set of steps together but once we had done it once the 2nd set was a breeze.
466577
I would not recommend to use sand in a pool, but otherwise: correct, all you need. Some stabilizer chemical to set the pool up and avoid pollution.
324878
I am not sure but I can tell you that I weigh 172 Lbs. and was able to lift the steps out of my 4 foot deep pool onto the deck with the sand and water in them with no damage to the steps or pool. I am very happy with mine!!!!
1625761
Can you add a 6 inch step-up near the pool and fasten the steps to it? Also, I would suggest using sand fill...I used 50 pounds and it is very stable.
825014
I live in Maryland and it freezes here. I spoke to the manufacturer who said you must remove them for winter, or a prolonged deep freeze could cause ice build-up on and inside the plastic parts to split the seams of the parts. It will also create uneven ice formation possibly damage the structure of the pool itself, potentially to the point of failure. I'm taking mine out, even if I need to hire Hercules. They were too expensive to find them damaged next spring!
765247
We have removed the exterior ladder for winter & reattach in spring.. We do not use that interior ladder, we use the "wedding cake" ladder from our previous pool.
1916464
The steps will not touch the side. We laid down a vinyl pad(advertised with the steps) for the steps to set on and it seems to be working great. I do not think that they will have any adverse effect on our liner. once installed, they do not move. Our pool is 36 x 18
266497
Yes. We filled our 's with water just in case we wanted to move it later. But they suggest filling it with either sand or water.
266495
Sand will make it heavier....with water, it moves around a bit when i punch it. but sand should make it a lot tuffer to push around...Also i believe emptying the sand off the base is going to be tuffer than emptying water off the base....
1566837
We filled ours with sand. Not sure the water would hold or how it would react with the heavy plastic. I think the water would leak out. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful!
998432
We also used sand. This summer was a learning experience for us as well. We got the pool all set up and a mole decided to start tunneling under and around the legs of the pool. It has an interesting lean to it now, next year, grub kill before setup.
324876
One person can lift the steps, but it is easier if two people like then into the pool. We plan to lower ours into the pool this weekend and will attach a couple of large rocks to the sides for ballast rather than sand. We had no trouble removing the steps last year after we untied the rocks and gradually let the water drain. The steps held together all last summer. We stored the steps on our deck inside our gazebo. All we have to do is slip them back into our pool and reattach them to our deck staircase.
1916463
We just purchased the steps and installed them in an above ground pool. We love them! Google the manufacturer and contact them directly with any questions. They were extremely helpful to us when we were making the decision which steps to purchase.
1328680
Fine grade filter sand for filter -- hardware stores or pool store ..& ..Pool salt this uses about 175lbs ...pool stores -- home depot -- Lowes --Walmart -- AND ENJOY!! it great suoer low maintance
1158037
I bought 2 of sets of the steps last week and had my husband put one in the pool and one on the outside. He used 2 sets of 2" by 6"s for the top step. He screwed the boards on to the part of the steps which hooks normally to a deck. He did stabilize the steps slightly by running a couple of 2" by 4"s from the top step to the ground, but they are not cemented in. I took a bad fall of a pool ladder last summer so I wanted to make sure it was safe. I feel very secure with these steps, and we saved almost $400, than if we had bought the complete set with enclosure. Our kids are older, so we didn't need the enclosure. I hope this helps. I wondered the same thing and took a gamble. I bought 2 of sets of the steps last week and had my husband put one in the pool and one on the outside. He used 2 sets of 2" by 6"s for the top step. He screwed the boards on to the part of the steps which hooks normally to a deck. He did stabilize the steps slightly by running a couple of 2" by 4"s from the top step to the ground, but they are not cemented in. I took a bad fall of a pool ladder last summer so I wanted to make sure it was safe. I feel very secure with these steps, and we saved almost $400, than if we had bought the complete set with enclosure. Our kids... » Read More I bought 2 of sets of the steps last week and had my husband put one in the pool and one on the outside. He used 2 sets of 2" by 6"s for the top step. He screwed the boards on to the part of the steps which hooks normally to a deck. He did stabilize the steps slightly by running a couple of 2" by 4"s from the top step to the ground, but they are not cemented in. I took a bad fall of a pool ladder last summer so I wanted to make sure it was safe. I feel very secure with these steps, and we saved almost $400, than if we had bought the complete set with enclosure. Our kids are older, so we didn't need the enclosure. I hope this helps. I wondered the same thing and took a gamble. « Show Less