Installing Above Ground Swimming Pool Steps – Guidelines To Remember

October 20, 2010 – 4:43 am

Swimming pool steps do not just improve the accessibility of your pool; they also add an extra layer of safety and security. In some cases, a swimming pool step can mean the life or death of a pool user. If not installed properly, swimming pool ladder steps can lead to accidents and serious injury. Therefore, it is best to invest even just a little more time, money and effort to ensuring that they are installed correctly and properly.

Here are some guidelines you need to remember when attempting to install above ground swimming pool steps.

  • Use a pool ladder that’s appropriate for the size and depth of your pool. You also don’t want a ladder that’s too wide for your pool. Before installing pool steps, manually measure from the bottom to the top edge of your pool to get its correct height or depth.

  • When using metal swimming pool ladders (i.e. aluminum or stainless steel), be sure to coat this with white powder or paint. This ensures that the handles do not get too hot in the summer (or in very hot weather). Install rubber grips on the rails to help pool users get out of the pool easily.

  • Always clean the ladder cups before installing them. A regular garden hose should do a good job removing dirt and debris that might have collected in the cups.

  • Thoroughly test the ladder when you’re done installing it. Repeatedly climb up and down the steps to make sure it’s safe for use. You shouldn’t worry about anything if you made sure that the ladder wedges are fitted properly and firmly tightened. If the ladder remains unsteady even after making sure of those steps, you may need to replace the ladder cups and wedges completely.

  • Test your ladder by putting your full weight on it. If you notice the sides of your pool bending or flexing with your weight, adjust the angle so that it’s steeper (approaching an almost vertical position) to make sure that your weight will be supported by the ground on the external side of the ladder and not by the sides of the pool.

  • Install ladders on both sides of your pool in the deeper end, for enhanced safety. Remember that pool ladders must have at least two steps below and one above the surface.

  • Install a ladder even on the shallow end for young children to use.

  • You may want to add horizontal rails at the bottom of the steps, a little below the waterline. Novice users and swimmers who are in trouble can hold on to this rail to keep themselves safe.

  • To add more security to the ladder, make sure that its external side is anchored to the ground.

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