I like your technique of putting the holes in the bottom step for air release. That's a good idea. We do need the steps to be stable and not float because they're used by the dogs, two of them very old and they'd freak if the steps were too wobbly - which is why I can't get the Scamper ramp. These boys no longer have the strength to climb up one.

We installed both hand rails and bolted them to the deck and they do a nice job keeping the steps in place, together with the 100# of sand (which I don't like but haven't yet found anything better that fits).

We'll be spending some time scrubbing and bleaching and drilling tomorrow. I'll post the results in a week or so.