Diving Board Removal

[Vanti]

Hey y'all! We've decided to take our diving board out -- it's in prime lounge chair real estate, it's cracked, and we don't use it. It's no longer to code but grandfathered in so we can't (legally) install a new one down the road, but we're OK with that.

I feel like I read somewhere that sometimes the boards are used to bond the pool which is way over my head. Are we gonna electrocute ourselves if we take it out?

I think the board can be unbolted from the legs. After that, Husband thinks he can just use a saw (I don't remember what kind) to cut the legs off, and then grind it down flush. Yay? Nay? Help? I did see this thread, but there were a lot of suggestions and I've got no clue which is the best.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Hey Vanti,

That's a beautiful oasis you have there.

There is no risk of electrocution in removing the diving board. Bonding is a safety measure to prevent electrocution to people in the pool, but no current is delivered to bonded devices.

It does look like there's a pool light junction box under the diving board which does carry voltage when the light is on. Be careful there and takes steps to protect it after the diving board is removed.

 

[1poolman1]

Many times people will invert a large pot over the light jbox and place another plant on top so people don't trip over it. If your switch is there you may need to cut a access hole. Just one idea.

 

[Vanti]

So, the pool light has a switch in our house that we use to turn the light on and off. And we thought we'd either put one of the lounge chairs over the junction box or a side table over it so nobody bangs into it. This isn't like touch it and get zapped kind of voltage, more like don't open it up and monkey around with wiring the power on right?

 

[1poolman1]

A standard light works on 120v. That is touch it and possibly get zapped if it isn't protected by a GFCI. If you don't have one in the light circuit, DO NOT operate the light. Turn the light's breaker to off. Better is to remove the wire from the breaker for the light.

 

[Newdude]

This isn't like touch it and get zapped kind of voltage, more like don't open it up and monkey around with wiring the power on right?

The junction box is safe to touch within reason. Don't dump a bucket of water on it, don't kick it, etc.

 

[1poolman1]

Hey y'all! We've decided to take our diving board out -- it's in prime lounge chair real estate, it's cracked, and we don't use it. It's no longer to code but grandfathered in so we can't (legally) install a new one down the road, but we're OK with that.

I feel like I read somewhere that sometimes the boards are used to bond the pool which is way over my head. Are we gonna electrocute ourselves if we take it out?

I think the board can be unbolted from the legs. After that, Husband thinks he can just use a saw (I don't remember what kind) to cut the legs off, and then grind it down flush. Yay? Nay? Help? I did see this thread, but there were a lot of suggestions and I've got no clue which is the best.

After the stand has been cut off and ground down, fill the pipes with some sort of concrete product to be level with the rest of the deck and not be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. A product like Quickcrete anchor cement works well and sets quickly. About $11.00 at Home Depot.

 

[Vanti]

Thanks much for your help, y'all!