Alternative to Zip Ties for stairs

[phonedave]

I have a set of stairs in my ABG.


Splash Easy Above Ground Pool Step - NE113


Not promoting that site, I forget where I bought them.


They have bases or skids that go on the bottom. Basically, the edge of the stairs are about two inches wide and the skids are about 4" and go under the bottom edge. They are held on with zip ties (as per the instructions)

Well, my zip ties snap after about a week. I assume it is a combination of sunlight, water chemistry, and movement of the stairs. I have tried all sorts of zip ties, UV stable, extra strong, and whatever else you can think of. They all snap.

So, two questions.

1) Are these bases even necessary? The instructions say to install them, but nothing like a warning saying "you must use the bases". I have the stairs on a pad already. It would be nice if they were an inch or two lower. As they are, the top step is just awash most of the time, It collects debris and does not really get a good flow going over it. Leaving the bases off would be a double win. No need for zip ties, and the stairs would be 2 inches lower.

2) If you have to use the bases, any ideas for something to hold them on that does not degrade and snap so quickly?

Thanks

 

[Pv2]

I had the Confer version of those and I did use the bases and had the same problem with zip ties so I just used some parachute cord. If you don't use the bases, I would make sure there are no rough/sharp spots on the mold seam, otherwise they should be fine, especially on a pad.

I highly recommend NOT putting sand in them and instead using external weights such as gallon jugs of sand or gravel, or large diameter PVC pipe lengths capped.

 

[DaneCE]

I don't use a pad under my Confer ladder. I don't know what your stairs look like without the base so some type of pad might be needed if you omit the base. I did make sure that there were no sharp spots on the mold seam as Pv2 mentioned. I used a medium grit sand paper to smooth all of the mold seams on my ladder. I see a pad as a place for algae to hide and if sand or grit gets under the pad you would be possibly causing more problems than what the pad is supposed to prevent.

 

[phonedave]

I had the Confer version of those and I did use the bases and had the same problem with zip ties so I just used some parachute cord. If you don't use the bases, I would make sure there are no rough/sharp spots on the mold seam, otherwise they should be fine, especially on a pad.

I highly recommend NOT putting sand in them and instead using external weights such as gallon jugs of sand or gravel, or large diameter PVC pipe lengths capped.

I have the factory external weights. I also fill them with pea gravel, not sand. They they get filled with a strong bleach / water mix. It easily flows around the pea gravel, and nothing grows in there. There is also the added benefit of if anything cracks, you don't get sand all over the pool.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't use a pad under my Confer ladder. I don't know what your stairs look like without the base so some type of pad might be needed if you omit the base. I did make sure that there were no sharp spots on the mold seam as Pv2 mentioned. I used a medium grit sand paper to smooth all of the mold seams on my ladder. I see a pad as a place for algae to hide and if sand or grit gets under the pad you would be possibly causing more problems than what the pad is supposed to prevent.

Thanks, I might go with removing the bases. I worried about that with a pad too, but I have had these stairs with the pad for 4 whole seasons now. I used to pull the stairs up and check under the pad ever so often, but I have never found algae under it, so I stopped. I cant see sand or grit getting under there either. What is impressive is when you remove the pad at the end of the season and you see just how much the rest of you liner has faded.

-dave