AG Pool Drop In Steps

[Islander2C]

I have it narrowed down to two different steps. Does anyone have either one of these, and any comments would be great!
One is Innova Plus "The Opera Step" $218.00
The other is Tuxedo Step $318.00
Attachment 185

Attachment 186

[gonefishin]

Hi Islander2C,

We've got steps that are similar to the first picture in your post for our new pool. It came with two large ziplock bags that you have to fill with sand, to use as weights to weight down the steps so they're a bit more stable.

It seems harmless enough to drop the sand filled ziplock bags in my 60f degree water. My thinking was that I'd just drop them in place only getting my arm wet. Well...once I started to lower the ziplock bag into the water...it got down about half way (and even though I thought I had all the air out of the bag) it burped. When it burped...it opened up the bag and I had a LARGE cloud of sand mushroom out into the water. Once all was said and done...I had a couple large coffee cans full of sand to clean up from the bottom of my pool.

My advice (unless someone has some better advice) is to lower the bag of sand into the water while you have full control of the bag and "zipped" top. If your husband doesn't mind cold water...just have him do this while he's in the water.

Have fun...and stay clean

dan

[JJ in Tx]

as far as the sand bag and ziploc bags, the sand I bought was already in a plastic bag so i put the whole shebang bag and all into the ziploc bag

JJ

[Islander2C]

Could you use something other than sand to weigh the steps down? Bricks in a bag?
Thanks for the heads up on that though! I'll probably send my 12 year old in the cold water to do this! He never seems to mind the cold water.
Must have to do with age!The older I get the warmer I want the water!

[drumr]

Islander2C,
I also have steps that are similar to the one posted in your top picture. Mine have slotted sides for better water flow, so they told me at the pool store. I use 4 patio blocks to hold mine down and so far it has worked well.

I like the steps in your top picture because I have do most of my pool maintenance with no help and when I have to pull these steps out of the pool I can do it relatively easily.

A friend of mine has the wedding cake stairs and getting them out of the pool is a 2 person job for sure.

Good Luck!!

[Islander2C]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

[CarlD]

I've been using the drop in wedding cake steps for several years--ones with 2 rails.

Putting them in:
1) I have a sheet of 45mil poly that goes under them. This is available from Home Depot as the sealer plumbers put under showers. I put it down to protect the liner from any movement by the steps. I cut it bigger than the steps, but rounded. It's super-smooth so it doesn't abrade the liner.
2) the steps go in. I drilled holes in the leading edge of each step to help air get out. I use 3 50#bags of filter sand--I had the giant zip-locks and I put a bag in each of them. I get INTO the pool and lower them down.
1a) Don a wetsuit--best $100 I spent on the pool.
3) Put bags inside steps and maneuver the steps into position.
4) Install rails

Removing them...
1) Don wetsuit...FIRST!(I close Oct 1)
2) detach rails.
3) Remove sand bags, lift to deck, well out of the way.
4) Gently lift steps so air gets in and floats them.
5)get one edge of steps on deck, lift slowly to get water out, then lift it completely on deck.
6) Getting them out of the pool and to the shed is tough. I can manage it myself, but if my son can help (and he does) it's better.

[Poolidiot]

I have the wedding cake steps and you are right , it does take 2 people (tried alone last year and was down in my back for 3 weeks) But the size of them makes it great for sitting and also for the little one to play on.

[jabbajean]

We just put steps in similar to your top picture. They are pretty good. Hubby put the sand in and did it from in the pool. It took both of us to put it in, but it was minimal.
Good luck!
Jay

[medvampire]

Islander2C
I tried them with out by just dropping them in with 50 lbs sand and didnt like it. You might get by with more sand. Just didnt seem safe to me but I am the kind that where moste peps put one nail I put two. I also have 10 and 13 year old boys and you know how they are.
Let me know how it works and any mods you make.
Thanks
Steve