Entry step or not into Baja Shelf?

[phillyinbay]

Gunite is planned for next week and one last decision to make on the steps. The shallow end of the pool is 42" to bond beam. We will have a 2" limestone coping on top of that. Assume 6x6" waterline tile and water to half way point or 39" of water in shallow end. We'll have a 7'x9' baja shelf. I would want at least 6" of water in the baja shelf for ledge loungers. I think there are 3 options:

1. Baja shelf at 33". This would be a 11" first step from coping with 6" of water on shelf.
2. Baja shelf at 31-32". This would be 12-13" first step with 7-8" of water on shelf.
3. Baja shelf at 31" with 8" of water on shelf. Have a "mini" first entry step at 37" (2" into water) so first step is only 7" down from coping. If we did this option, the mini step might not run the entire length of the baja shelf...just a few feet in the middle.

Image is showing #1 and #3.

 

[kimkats]

YES! Better safe than sorry............get the helper step for sure!

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Here’s a few pictures that I hope helps you out.
#1 mini step, this has to be calculated at Shotcrete with the knowledge of the thickness of your plaster, you can see how the tile sits above the steps, very little room for error.
#2 due to the grout line being at 8” of water run your water level either above or below so more of the tile is exposed than grout, this will help with calcium lines.
#3 numbers for If your installing lights on the reef step.

 

[phillyinbay]

Thanks

Here’s a few pictures that I hope helps you out.
#1 mini step, this has to be calculated at Shotcrete with the knowledge of the thickness of your plaster, you can see how the tile sits above the steps, very little room for error.
#2 due to the grout line being at 8” of water run your water level either above or below so more of the tile is exposed than grout, this will help with calcium lines.
#3 numbers for If your installing lights on the reef step.

If I'm calculating right, a person stepping off from pool deck goes 16.5" down to the reef (if they don't use mini step). Does that seem challenging getting in or out?

 

[kimkats]

16.5"??? A regular step inside a house is 7"......................that is more than half so yeah the 16.5" will make it much hard and a bigger step getting in and out.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Don’t know how it’s 16.5”, I get 13.5”

 

[phillyinbay]

Don’t know how it’s 16.5”, I get 13.5”

I added 3.5" (coping), 6" tile, and 7" of water. But I realize that the 6" tile is actually 3" of the water. So 13.5"...you are of course correct! How do you feel a 13.5" step with 7" of water is to get in and out?

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

It’s very easy to get in and out of, the mini steps were installed for the grand kids that’s why they are so small

 

[kimkats]

the mini steps were installed for the grand kids that’s why they are so small

OR it is installed for the person with a bad leg, ankle, knee, hip, back, etc.

 

[Cena_sea]

If you do your third option of 7 inches down you might have to cut the 6x6 tile to 6x5 just on the mini step edges.

Edit: I probably would not want the tile cut but to stay uniform with the rest of the pool so the minimum step down would be 8 inches from top of coping. I would try to test the step height. I was just yesterday testing out a 12 inch wall to see how it felt to step up and down on.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

That wasn’t the case here.

 

[klanel]

If I had to do it over again, I think I would have a walk in. But a small set of steps would also be a consideration.