In-Wall Ladder for Pool Leaking

[TheGreatJoshy]

Hello all,

I have an in-wall ladder for a vinyl lined pool that seems to be leaking. I have attached some photos for reference. The pool is leaking about 6 inches per week. It is currently winterized and supposed to be full of water to support the automatic cover. It's taking a lot of water to keep the cover supported with the leak. Any information on how to repair the leak or how to manage the rest of winter would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[PoolStored]

In wall steps are installed just like stair trims. They are bolted to the steel or polymer panels and are permanent, they are a piece of the pool wall structure. The trim sandwiches the liner to the steps for a seal. Just like anything else in the pool there are holes. With the rust showing in the trim/water, water is getting to the steel panels causing rusting.

I would find a reputable pool maintenance company near Montrose and have them evaluate the potential solutions.

 

[TheGreatJoshy]

In wall steps are installed just like stair trims. They are bolted to the steel or polymer panels and are permanent, they are a piece of the pool wall structure. The trim sandwiches the liner to the steps for a seal. Just like anything else in the pool there are holes. With the rust showing in the trim/water, water is getting to the steel panels causing rusting.

I would find a reputable pool maintenance company near Montrose and have them evaluate the potential solutions.

Thank you very much for the response. Unfortunately, the area we live in is relatively small with little competition and only a couple pool companies. Most of the companies out here really only specialize in hot tubs because of our climate. I have had 4 different people look at the ladder over the past couple years. All of them tell me something different and the issue continues to arise. Would you have steps I can take to remedy the situation? Slapping pool putty on it does not seem like a proper fix for this. Would the liner need to be removed in that area to assess the damage? I am having trouble finding the product online to try to understand the installation more. If the steel parts are rusting, is it most likely that the ladder needs replacing? The vinyl liner was just replaced a year ago.

Also, what would you recommend to do in the meantime while the repair is getting figured out? Should I continue to fill the pool with water to support the automatic cover? Before I bought the house, the cover was ripped due to lack of such support (so I was told). I am worried about ripping the cover again

 

[TinFoilHat]

Maybe your installation warranty will cover them coming back to repair their error in installation?

 

[PoolStored]

You are in a pickle. In wall steps can be problematic. I'm lucky, my pool has a ladder in the same location, but is external to the liner (see below).

Your ladder requires a recess in the pool side to allow for the in-wall ladder. There is no easy fix, like replace the liner and use a ladder like mine, without having the wall behind it in place.

There is no easy fix. Slapping pool putty is slip-shod and prone to failure.

I don't have a DIY solution for you. The best bet is to have the company that did the install come back and attempt to fix. (per @TinFoilHat )