info on ladders and install???

[chrisa]

I want to add a step ladder to our deep end inground pool (currently no ladder) So, looking at the basic 3 step ladders...do these just anchor from the top deck? and are they difficult to install?? My husband is deployed so I'm taking on some projects...just got done tiling our foyer
I'm dreaming of warm weather and was thinking I could add the ladder myself. any thoughts or advice??


thanks,
chris

 

[spishex]

What type of deck do you have? Concrete?

 

[chrisa]

yes, concrete (sorrry, i guess i should have said that)

 

[budster]

Virtually all SS ladders (from SR Smith and Interfab) are made for in-deck anchors, rather than an "on deck" installation, but they also make "on deck" anchors that could be used, knowing that you still have to drill into the concrete to place the anchors.

 

[spishex]

You'll need some sort of an anchor to attach the ladder to. You can either remove some concrete and set them in place like you would with new construction, or bolt them onto the top of the existing concrete.

Since you're doing this after the fact it might be difficult to connect your ladder to your bonding grid, especially if you use the bolted down deck flange. SR Smith makes a whole line of products called SealedSteel that work around this problem. They have plastic anchors and coated ladders so no bonding is required, but the anchors do require taking up some concrete.

Here are the two different basic types of anchors:
Flush with deck:

On top of deck: