I just bought and assembled the Confer wedding steps. I did not add the sand, as I had read that it can grow algae. So, I drilled extra holes. However, they are still floating! Does anybody have these steps that has any recommendations on what to do? I think I have about 150lbs of bleach holding them down right now.
Floating Confer Wedding Steps - Any suggestions?
- Thread starter callie_grace
- Start date
People have had good success making weights from pvc pipes filled with sand or concrete. Cut the pipes to a length that will easily slip into the base of the steps, glue a cap to one end, fill with concrete or sand, glue cap on other end, slip into the base of the steps.
I found that 1 1/2" or 1 1/4" pvc slid perfectly in the side slots of the sides, allowing me to make a shelf using 3 pipes. I then took the 4" pipe weights that I had already made for the old wedding cake steps and was able to put 5 of them laying front to back across those smaller pipes (shelf) The weight totals 85lbs and makes the steps heavy and they stay down. Granted I don't have the curved step portion like you have but the same concept should still apply using the smaller pipe to make a shelf to be able to lay weight of your choosing on.
I don't know for sure, that is what I had read. At this point, I wish I would have filled them with sand!
I'm not familiar with these steps, but if the area where the sand goes is sealed off from the pool water, why worry?
Besides, if the sunlight can't get in there, nothing is going to grow as far as algae is concerned.
Weights I made out of 4" sewer pipe, each about 28" long and caps glued on either end. They are filled with pea gravel and bleach. Those are my pipe weights
pipe weights
The second link shows what I mean by sliding smaller pipes thru the sides to make a shelf. I used 3 for the shelf for thr weights to sit on and the 4th one above holds them from sliding out while steps were being lowered into the water.
pipe thru sides
The second link shows what I mean by sliding smaller pipes thru the sides to make a shelf. I used 3 for the shelf for thr weights to sit on and the 4th one above holds them from sliding out while steps were being lowered into the water.
pipe thru sides
Thanks for the pictures! So you are putting the weights in prior to lowering them in the water, correct? How are you getting them out in the winter?
I took old bleach and windshield wiper fluid jug's and filled them with concrete and water.Then I took the thick wire strap's and fastened them underneath step's.It take's a lot to get them to stay down.Second year with them and I have the curve section to.I pulled the cap's and let them fill with water.I haven't drilled any holes because I was afraid of collapse.When I pulled them for the winter I just took the weight jug's and turned step's down for water to drain out.I also took some silicone and put on lid's before tightening down.Also,poured a little bleach in the jug's after cement dried.I just snapped the strap's in the pool before pulling step's out.
They could have been put in after the steps were in the pool. But thr water was just a bit too cold for that. I'll remove the weights in the fall before pulling the steps out. They literally just sit on those 3 pipes and their weight alone holds them there.