Both my pool builder and I made a mistake and we need to figure out how to fix it, and I could really use some advice. We are mid-build, awaiting plaster, and noticed after the gunite was done that the pool steps aren't as we expected. We wanted low-rise steps because of our elderly parents who don't live with us but we want to be able to safely enjoy the pool. What we got are several steps that range between 10" and 12" in rise, the largest one being the lowest step in the pool. I am very concerned that this might mean our parents might not be able to use the pool but at this point, I don't know what to do. Our builder has offered to have the gunite people completely redo the stairs (at their cost). If my math is right, if we make them all 7" tall with an 11" depth, that will mean that the steps will continue for a couple of extra feet into the main pool area. Is this something you would recommend? Should we just leave it alone? I don't know what to do and my builder wants an answer ASAP because if we redo the steps, it will be done next Tuesday. Thanks for any input!
Need advice about steps
- Thread starter pool123*
- Start date
Redo the steps. If you don't, your elderly guest or anyone with leg/hip issues may have problems entering and exiting the pool. Let them fix it at their cost.
Thank you. That's what we're thinking too because safety and accessibility is our primary concern. We're just worried that it may not look good, but I guess that has to be a secondary consideration.
I think it will look fine extending beyond the cut-out. might ask if they could round the ends of the ones that extend out, maybe even wrap around the corner a bit.
We are mid-build and discovered that the shallow end of our pool was dug too deep (or the gunite not applied thick enough). The shallow end was to have 48" of water but as you can see from the attached picture, it will be MUCH more than that. This problem exacerbated the problem we have with the height of our pool stairs. We are waiting for our builder to propose a solution to this problem, but want to be armed with the appropriate knowledge when that happens. If the builder proposes shooting more gunite to raise the shallow end another 11 inches or so, is that a structurally sound solution? Thank you!
Also, regarding the steps does anyone have any idea what the cost is to excavate another couple of feet in the stair "well"? The well was not dug with enough space to allow for low-rise stairs, which is what we asked for. We're thinking of asking the builder to move it out now and not sure if that is even within the realm of possibility. Thanks!
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There are no "standards" that I'm aware of. There are industry standards for depth and slope when dealing with diving boards, jumping rocks and things like that.
To be honest, if you wanted a pool that was "all" deep end they could build it for you.
What it comes down to is comfort when folks are lounging. With my pool it had a diving board and deep end with swim out. The only one who ever used the swim out was our German Shepherd Dog and if the shallow end had been larger it would be nice.
You are showing 60" tot eh top, but remember the water will only be to the middle of the skimmer mouth. Measure down from the top of the skimmer to the middle and it will show how high the water will be. I'm seeing you may end up with a 5 or 6 inch difference.
To be honest, if you wanted a pool that was "all" deep end they could build it for you.
What it comes down to is comfort when folks are lounging. With my pool it had a diving board and deep end with swim out. The only one who ever used the swim out was our German Shepherd Dog and if the shallow end had been larger it would be nice.
You are showing 60" tot eh top, but remember the water will only be to the middle of the skimmer mouth. Measure down from the top of the skimmer to the middle and it will show how high the water will be. I'm seeing you may end up with a 5 or 6 inch difference.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,889
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Middle of the skimmer should be around middle of the tile. That is 59”. Plaster will be 1/3” thick. So you need to buildup the shell by about 10” to get your 48” water depth.
@bdavis466 can they out 10” of gunite on top of the existing floor without any rebar to tie it together?
@bdavis466 can they out 10” of gunite on top of the existing floor without any rebar to tie it together?
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,284
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yes, I’d take that offer. I presume you have a railing at that set of steps. That is as or more important than step depth.
@ajw22 thank you. Also, because of the way they designed the stairs, now that we have to add about 10-11" to make the shallow end the proper depth, we were thinking of asking them to take it down to 3.5' instead of 4' so that the steps wouldn't be quite as steep. So @bdavis466 can they add 16-17" of gunite without adding any rebar? Many thanks everyone!
I think the first thing you need to have the PB do is drill a core hole to make sure the shell is thick enough. Do you have any pics from before the shell was poured and the steel was laid out?
I say leave the bottom alone AFTER you are sure it is thick enough. Have them remove and redo the steps so they are 7" rise with the ones extended into the pool rounded to help keep from getting hurt if someone bumps into them.
I say leave the bottom alone AFTER you are sure it is thick enough. Have them remove and redo the steps so they are 7" rise with the ones extended into the pool rounded to help keep from getting hurt if someone bumps into them.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Nice Pic! I love deep pools, My Cuz put a 10' deep pool in to support his 1 meter board diving fetish... As you can see there is no rebar in the steps themselves since they not structural, so they should be able to redo them however you want. Same with adding more gunite to the shallow end. If I recall they just have to prep the surface so the next gunite layer will adhere properly
@mguzzy that would be awesome if they could just spray the extra gunite! I guess we're going to end up with a much sharper slope though because we do want to retain that nice deep end. We love that part too!
It looks like they did put in "chairs" for the steel. They are the things that lift the steel off the ground so that is good.
I have seen where they have added gunite to other gunite to raise that area. I am not sure what kind of prep they had to do though.
I have seen where they have added gunite to other gunite to raise that area. I am not sure what kind of prep they had to do though.
@kimkats thank you. I'm hoping the "chairs" can support significant extra weight. We are meeting with the builder tomorrow so will hopefully have more information then.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,083
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
FYI, the "chairs" just hold the rebar up out of the dirt so that the rebar is more in the middle of your gunite. Once the gunite is in, the chairs dont support anything since they are encased in gunite. Good luck with your PB meeting tomorrow.
You can add as much gunite as you want, makes no difference.
Why do you not want to add rebar?
Why do you not want to add rebar?
@bdavis466 It's not that we don't want to, we just don't understand what should be done and don't want to get played by our pool builder. I would assume that if we add approximately 17" of gunite that they would add more rebar but we don't know the plan yet.