That Ladder Saga

[Webster]

This was me a few months back: Stubborn Pool Ladder

I eventually got the ladder removed but it was completely destroyed. The anchors are ok though.

I think what the last person commented is what happened. I tightened the anchor wedge in too tight and it got out of round and wedged in there.

So here we are, I bought a new ladder and I'm in the process of opening the pool. This is year 4 of operating this pool and every time I remove the ladder big chunks of earth come out with it, stuck in the end of the tubes. I'm wondering if this contributed to the old ladder sinking too far, which is why I tightened the anchors.

I'm thinking about putting something down in the holes to act as a support for the pool ladder so the anchor wedges aren't carrying the whole load. I thought about pouring quick crete in it, but that could quickly become a disaster for this rookie. I could just backfill with more dirt but it would likely just come out when I remove the ladder in the fall. Putting some rock in there is what I was thinking. There's this fine rock that I used for a support base when I built a retaining wall. When it gets settled it doesn't move. I was considering this. Or drainage rock that also doesn't shift much.

Also I was thinking about this for the end of the tube. I was hoping to find a cap to prevent dirt from getting in the tube, but this also doubles as strengthening the tube against the anchor wedge. Tool, Pool Tool, Handrail Stabilizing Plug, Carbon Fiber, 1.875"

Thoughts?

TIA

 

[1poolman1]

This was me a few months back: Stubborn Pool Ladder

I eventually got the ladder removed but it was completely destroyed. The anchors are ok though.

I think what the last person commented is what happened. I tightened the anchor wedge in too tight and it got out of round and wedged in there.

So here we are, I bought a new ladder and I'm in the process of opening the pool. This is year 4 of operating this pool and every time I remove the ladder big chunks of earth come out with it, stuck in the end of the tubes. I'm wondering if this contributed to the old ladder sinking too far, which is why I tightened the anchors.

I'm thinking about putting something down in the holes to act as a support for the pool ladder so the anchor wedges aren't carrying the whole load. I thought about pouring quick crete in it, but that could quickly become a disaster for this rookie. I could just backfill with more dirt but it would likely just come out when I remove the ladder in the fall. Putting some rock in there is what I was thinking. There's this fine rock that I used for a support base when I built a retaining wall. When it gets settled it doesn't move. I was considering this. Or drainage rock that also doesn't shift much.

Also I was thinking about this for the end of the tube. I was hoping to find a cap to prevent dirt from getting in the tube, but this also doubles as strengthening the tube against the anchor wedge. Tool, Pool Tool, Handrail Stabilizing Plug, Carbon Fiber, 1.875"

Thoughts?

TIA

Those plugs work great. They will even straighten a deformed ladder/rail if installed carefully. There should be a "bottom" to the anchor cups that you have now, it should not be open. No dirt should be getting into that area. Here's a picture of an aluminum one:

You can use whatever you need to prevent the tubes from going too far into the cup/dirt, just don't fill it so far the tube doesn't fit properly.

 

[Bill1974]

If you have 3D printer or know someone who does you can make those plugs a lot cheaper.

another idea to limit how far the ladder drops into the cup would be to put collars on the ladder to limit how far it can drop in.
McMaster-Carr - not sure if this is the correct size


I tighten the cup bolt just enough to stop the ladder from moving or rotating in the cups.

Also clean as much dirt and debris out of the cups as possible. Also probably not a bad idea to put some anti-seize on the bolt threads. Stainless steel likes to gall (usually on when it SS on SS, but sometime with other metals).