First Pool Step Too Deep, Need Ideas!

[pigskintd]

Our pool is a 4' - 4.5' - 4' sport pool. We have 3 steps that have a 12" rise and 12" width. One thing we didn't take into account was the additional height the coping and leveling mortar added. The first step is now 16" down which does not seem safe. I am trying to figure out the best solution with the cleanest look. Even 12" steps are higher than I imagined, but 16" is a no go. Would you recommend making the first 2 steps 12" and have the last step into the pool be 16"? Should I add a half step (not excited about this as I think it will take away from the clean look, but safety is more important)? Should I add a triangle step like I did in the spa so it takes up less room in the pool? I would love any ideas as figuring out a solution this this issue has kept me up at night!

 

[ajw22]

I would put a triangle step on both sides by the walls for use by anyone who has a problem with the high first step.

I think you will find it is less of an issue then you think.

Anyone with a balance problem can use the side with the spa wall to steady themselves or the coping on the other side.

 

[pigskintd]

I would put a triangle step on both sides by the walls for use by anyone who has a problem with the high first step.

I think you will find it is less of an issue then you think.

Anyone with a balance problem can use the side with the spa wall to steady themselves or the coping on the other side.

Are you suggesting triangle steps on the first step into the pool or triangle steps at the bottom? I didn't even think about that. I assumed they would have to adjust the steps to all be 12" with the last step being 16". I am pretty sure code won't allow for the first step to be a 16" drop.

 

[pigskintd]

Are you suggesting triangle steps on the first step into the pool or triangle steps at the bottom? I didn't even think about that. I assumed they would have to adjust the steps to all be 12" with the last step being 16". I am pretty sure code won't allow for the first step to be a 16" drop.

Currently the first step is a 16" drop followed by two 12" steps. I was thinking they would raise the first two steps to be 12" and then the final step into the pool be 16" as that would be more manageable with buoyancy helping. Here is a terrible drawing of the current steps.

 

[ajw22]

I interpreted the "first step" being the first step from the bottom.

The bottom step can be higher then 12". Code usually requires the other steps to be 12" or less and fairly even in height. You need to check exactly what code in your jurisdiction says about step heights.

I would say have the builder redo the steps to be four 10" steps. And then put some type of ledge in front of the spa spillover to tie in the look.

Or do from the top 12" - 12" - 16" steps with a triangle step on both sides to help those where 16" is difficult.

 

[pigskintd]

I interpreted the "first step" being the first step from the bottom.

The bottom step can be higher then 12". Code usually requires the other steps to be 12" or less and fairly even in height. You need to check exactly what code in your jurisdiction says about step heights.

I would say have the builder redo the steps to be four 10" steps. And then put some type of ledge in front of the spa spillover to tie in the look.

Or do from the top 12" - 12" - 16" steps with a triangle step on both sides to help those where 16" is difficult.

Sorry for the confusion. I am pretty positive 12" is the max for every step except for the one that touches the pool bottom. I think I like your idea of the triangle steps in the corners. Is this what you had in mind? The main pool portion is only 13 feet wide so I think I want to avoid eating into the pool area more.

 

[ajw22]

. I think I like your idea of the triangle steps in the corners. Is this what you had in mind?

Yup.

 

[Jayphil]

I agree with ajw22,

4 steps of 10" would be ideal but if you do not want this then from top to bottom 12", 12", 16".

 

[TampaKathy]

I'm pretty sure you are right about the code...that's something the PB should have caught

 

[pigskintd]

I agree with ajw22,

4 steps of 10" would be ideal but if you do not want this then from top to bottom 12", 12", 16".

I think I have narrowed it down to top - bottom 12", 12", 16" with no triangle step, or same layout with a triangle step. It is just impossible for me to know how difficult it will be to get up the 16" step once you are in water.

 

[pigskintd]

I'm pretty sure you are right about the code...that's something the PB should have caught

They actually did say they will need to address the steps, I am just trying to think of the best solution. Now I am just trying to determine if the bottom step at 16" (they will have to add 4" to the other steps) will be a problem. Our shallow end is 4' deep so the buoyancy will definitely help make that step not feel like 16".

 

[Jayphil]

They actually did say they will need to address the steps, I am just trying to think of the best solution. Now I am just trying to determine if the bottom step at 16" (they will have to add 4" to the other steps) will be a problem. Our shallow end is 4' deep so the buoyancy will definitely help make that step not feel like 16".

There is something I do not understand. For me a 4' deep of water (48") is not the height from the bottom of the pool to the top of the coping. Water level (mid skimmer) is what 8" from the top of the coping. Assuming that my math is correct you have 48" of water + 8" out of water to cover with steps so around 56". 56" X 4 steps = 14", I see no way this height can be properly covered with 3 steps...

My pool have 4.5' of water level. I have 4 steps of around 10" each + a two 2' long slop to cover the remaining... Not ideal either but once in the water this slop is easily manageable.

 

[pigskintd]

There is something I do not understand. For me a 4' deep of water (48") is not the height from the bottom of the pool to the top of the coping. Water level (mid skimmer) is what 8" from the top of the coping. Assuming that my math is correct you have 48" of water + 8" out of water to cover with steps so around 56". 56" X 4 steps = 14", I see no way this height can be properly covered with 3 steps...

My pool have 4.5' of water level. I have 4 steps of around 10" each + a two 2' long slop to cover the remaining... Not ideal either but once in the water this slop is easily manageable.

This is my first pool, so I am just going by the measurements I took. Currently from top to bottom I have 16"(coping to top step), 12", 12", 12"(the last step to the pool floor).

 

[ajw22]

Is the gunite already shot?

Measure from the pool floor to the middle of the skimmer mouth. That will be your water depth.

 

[Toxophilite]

This is my first pool, so I am just going by the measurements I took. Currently from top to bottom I have 16"(coping to top step), 12", 12", 12"(the last step to the pool floor).

Our shallow end is 4'. We set our ledge for 9" of water with 2 steps down to pool. It was of great concern to us on that first step after gunite was sprayed, coping, and we could test drive, which put the step down right at 13". It's OK, but it's not the most comfortable step, but was governed by the want for 9" on ledge. On the 2 lower steps, the one from floor of pool is less tall than the others (never measured), and with buoyancy it feels like even steps up to deck. Of all the steps into and out of the pool, that first one is going to be the most issue.

 

[pigskintd]

Our shallow end is 4'. We set our ledge for 9" of water with 2 steps down to pool. It was of great concern to us on that first step after gunite was sprayed, coping, and we could test drive, which put the step down right at 13". It's OK, but it's not the most comfortable step, but was governed by the want for 9" on ledge. On the 2 lower steps, the one from floor of pool is less tall than the others (never measured), and with buoyancy it feels like even steps up to deck. Of all the steps into and out of the pool, that first one is going to be the most issue.

The pool is shot and before the coping was added all of the step were at 12" risers. It was a little higher than we thought, but manageable. Once they added the coping it went to 16" from coping to first step. We are going to have them raise all of the steps 4" so from top to bottom it will be 12", 12", 12", 16"

 

[pigskintd]

Is the gunite already shot?

Measure from the pool floor to the middle of the skimmer mouth. That will be your water depth.

The pool is shot and they just put the skimmer in yesterday. Prior to the skimmer I measured from the pool to half way up the sun shelf and it seemed dead on. I will measure when I get home now that the skimmer is in.

 

[Toxophilite]

The pool is shot and before the coping was added all of the step were at 12" risers. It was a little higher than we thought, but manageable. Once they added the coping it went to 16" from coping to first step. We are going to have them raise all of the steps 4" so from top to bottom it will be 12", 12", 12", 16"

Yes, 16" would be unmanageable for me without a handrail. Also, see how 4 steps might crowd your feet getting in and out. Here's how ours mapped out and feel great under foot with the first entry 13", which would be better a few inches lower.

 

[ajw22]

The pool is shot and they just put the skimmer in yesterday.

Usually the skimmer is installed prior to rebar, rebar is put around the skimmer, and the skimmer is encased in gunite to make it part of the pool shell structure.

 

[Jayphil]

The pool is shot and before the coping was added all of the step were at 12" risers. It was a little higher than we thought, but manageable. Once they added the coping it went to 16" from coping to first step. We are going to have them raise all of the steps 4" so from top to bottom it will be 12", 12", 12", 16"

That will be much better compared to 16", 12", 12", 12" . The last drop should not be an issue because at that point you start floating more.

I would say that 12" is still high for kids or older people, mine are 10" height X 14 width and I find it is still relatively high. But for some reason 12" seem to be some sort of standard in the pool industry.