My pool was closed for 3 years (didn't live her before that). We just got it open with a new salt water system, pump and filter,, and I have no idea what to do with these stairs. The stairs are concrete but the pool is vinyl. The steps look to have been painted, but there is pitting in large areas and concrete is visible. Theb there is also splitting. The color has changed from white to brown on them in a month but no iron or other metals showing in the testing. PH is 8.2, CH is 91 and Alk is 129. FOC is .1 and CYA is 5. I have steps to rectify the chemistry. I'm hoping that may fix the stains...but who knows. We had one large crack and the pool epoxy was used. It is holding fine. Do we need to do that everywhere (dear lord)?
What is going on with these stairs?
- Thread starter Doopadoo
- Start date
HI and welcome to TFP! You are right down the road from me!!! How fun is that???
So my gut is telling me those are fiberglass steps with something over them BUT I might be wrong. I am going to invite a couple of others to take a peek. @ajw22 @jimmythegreek thoughts?
That place where the stuff is chipping away.............with my fiberglass idea in mind what do you think is under there?
So my gut is telling me those are fiberglass steps with something over them BUT I might be wrong. I am going to invite a couple of others to take a peek. @ajw22 @jimmythegreek thoughts?
That place where the stuff is chipping away.............with my fiberglass idea in mind what do you think is under there?
If you look on the overall photo from OP and zoom slightly it is at the top right. Just at the top of the water level. If you look at the opposite corner (the super white area into the top of the step slightly) there was a deeper one that my husband filled in with the Leslie's epoxy putty that was way bigger.
I can't wait to see what the others think. I have a couple of idea but I am NO expert on this kind of thing and do not want to steer you wrong.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,026
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
How old is the pool?
My guess is they are fiberglass steps and someone put a skim coat of stucco type cement on them to fix cracks or cosmetic problems.
If you can unscrew some deck boards on the right hand side of the steps you may be able to see the back structure of them.
My guess is they are fiberglass steps and someone put a skim coat of stucco type cement on them to fix cracks or cosmetic problems.
If you can unscrew some deck boards on the right hand side of the steps you may be able to see the back structure of them.
1989..had to go to property appraiser site
I can't get the deck board up...I need a differebt bit (star shape). However there is a heck of a gap between so I took a few photos. It looks like there is an inch thick layer or so of newer concrete on top (guessing rusted piece poking out is the rebar). Then it looks like there is a seem at the corner and then the next seem is 12 inches past.
Attachments
Bump...so to keep these functional for a year or a little longer is there a way I can fix? Epoxy putty every spot?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,026
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I don't think epoxy putty will give any structural support. I don't think anything will make a difference. You can patch it or not and I think it will last the same time.
I cant tell from pics but I've never seen concrete stairs like that. It's got a fiberglass stair trim plate for liner. I also thought they were skimmed over because they probably settled and cracked and that was their cheap fix. Without seeing them I cant really advise what to do. In any event water is your enemy so seal up what you can for now.
Thanks! We will get everything sealed and hope it can last a little while. We are in the hurricane michael area and still getting damage fixed....so hoping to make it last as long as we can.