Do you have a wobbly above-ground pool ladder and are you looking for ways to stabilize it?
If you own a swimming pool, then you probably know the convenience of having a removable pool ladder. You can easily take it out during the winter or when you don’t plan on using the pool for a while. The best thing about these ladders is that they don’t rust and are easy to clean.
However, the only issue with a removable ladder is its stability. Unlike ladders anchored into the deck, ground, or pool frame, removable ladders can get slightly wobbly since they can float up when they get lighter in the water. This raises the question of how to keep the ladder from floating up.
Most companies have a solution for this – pre-built water or sand filling holes/compartments in the ladder. These are designed to add weight to the ladder and prevent it from floating up when submerged in water. This built-in mechanism is the most convenient way to prevent the ladder from floating up. So if you haven’t purchased a ladder yet, it’s better to buy one with compartments for weights. Making holes or finding quick fixes/home remedies are not as efficient.
However, if you already have a swimming pool ladder without filling holes, you can buy ladder weights or make them yourself to keep the ladder from floating up.
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Readymade Weights for Pool Steps
Ready-made pool ladder weights are the most convenient option because they are hassle-free. You simply need to fill the weights and attach them to the pool steps. However, you must consider the size and weight of your pool steps to determine the appropriate quantity of weights needed.
There’s another solution for stabilizing your ladder if you don’t want to buy extra equipment – you can make them yourself. However, this will require some effort and creativity.
Things you’ll need for DIY Pool Ladder Weights:
- Plastic bottles/containers
- Water
- Pool filter sand/sand
- Vinyl-coated exercise weights
- Nylon rope
Water:
Using water weights is the simplest and least messy option among all the quick fixes. If your pool ladder doesn’t have the option to fill it with water, you can use this alternative technique. Get vinyl or plastic water bags from your swimming pool accessory supplier to make water weights for your steps.
These are commonly used to keep swimming pool covers in place, and they can also double as water weights to stabilize your pool ladder. Water is the best option because even if it leaks accidentally, cleaning won’t be a headache, unlike with sand.
Sand:
Sand is heavier than water and serves as a better weight. If your ladder doesn’t have the provision for filling it with sand, you can fill plastic boxes/bottles with sand. Make sure you secure the container’s mouth to prevent any spillage. Tie the sand-filled container at the bottom of the ladder by suspending it with a nylon rope. The only drawback of using sand as the weight is the possibility of an accidental spill or leak.
The downside of using sand as weights is that it can make the swimming pool muddy, and cleaning it up will be tiresome. The only solution is to immediately vacuum up any sand that leaks and fix the leak. Another way to avoid this mishap is to use pool-filter sand. This type of sand is easy to filter in case of a leak, preventing the swimming pool from getting muddy.
Aqua Weights:
You can also consider using vinyl-coated weights that are typically used for underwater aerobics. Coated weights are better than other metal weights that can rust. Like water/sandbags, tie these weights to the ladder with a nylon rope, and your ladder will stay in place when submerged in water.
Gravel:
You can also use pea gravel to weigh down your ladder, similar to using water or sand. If your ladder has the option to fill holes, you can fill them with pea gravel instead. If your ladder is not compatible with filling holes, filling a plastic container with pea gravel should also work.
Make sure to close the opening tightly and suspend the box from the ladder to prevent the ladder from floating. One main difficulty with using pea gravel as weights is that if it leaks into the swimming pool and gets caught in the pool filter or automatic cleaner, it can cause a lot of damage that may or may not be repairable.
These are just a few well-known and accessible methods to stabilize a pool ladder at home. You can try different methods as long as you understand the purpose and mechanics of preventing the ladder from floating. However, remember that not all products are water-friendly in the long run, and some might even pose severe threats in case of an accidental slip-up.
In case of an emergency, you can always use whatever is available and viable at that point. For a more permanent option, switching to a heavy-duty pool step or a pool ladder with filling holes should be considered. If that is not an option for you, then doing proper research before making your DIY weight in terms of endurance and resilient products to use in making these weights is an intelligent way to go about it.
Points to Consider:
- When using nylon rope to tie DIY weights, make sure it is not too long to prevent tangling while swimming or using the ladder.
- Avoid using metal as a makeshift emergency weight since it is prone to corrosion, which can damage the pool liner.
- If using pea gravel or rocks to add weight to the ladder, be careful not to cause any leakage that can result in irreparable damage if caught in the pool filter. Also, stepping on the stones can lead to foot injuries and harm the pool liner.
- Sandbags are a good alternative but keep in mind that a spill can lead to muddy water that is difficult to clean. Regularly check for tears or leaks to prevent increased algae growth.
How To Fill a Pool Ladder With Water?
- Step 1: Remove the ladder from the pool and prepare it for filling.
- Step 2: Locate the fill hole in the ladder, which is usually covered by a cap. Use a screwdriver to open the cap and make sure that the fill hole is not blocked.
- Step 3: Take a water hose and insert it into the fill hole. Fill the ladder with water until you feel that it is heavy enough.
- Step 4: Once you have filled the ladder, stop the water flow and reattach the cap tightly to the fill hole. You can also use tape to ensure that it is secured properly.
- Step 5: Finally, carefully place the ladder back into the pool. Be cautious since the ladder will be heavier once filled with water.
By following these simple steps, you can easily fill your pool ladder with water and enjoy using it safely.
Conclusion
These are the steps you can take to ensure your pool ladder is stable in the water. It is important to make sure the ladder is bottom-heavy to prevent it from floating and potentially causing injuries to swimmers. By taking these precautions and making your pool ladder heavy enough, you can safely enjoy your time in the pool.
