So, we have a very old concrete pool that came with the house we bought in 2013. This year, our plan was to do some minor re-plastering and then repaint the interior. We also wanted to replace the media in our sand filter.
Well, part way through the sanding and plastering, we decided to address a broken ladder step in the deep end. This was a mistake, and I apologize for everything you are about to read and see next.
With and angle grinder and a chisel, I got the old ones out and created enough room to fit new ones in, which we bought online. And that's it... that is where I am stuck now. I've realized now that there are not many resources out there that cover this process, because it is probably not a wise thing to do. I have seen a video where a company does this by literally cutting them out while still submerged, so I know that somebody is crazy enough to try this kind of thing (in scuba gear, no less). And my wife linked me a support thread where someone briefly mentioned this kind of thing as an option. But I am in need of more guidance than that, and think I am very unlikely to get it, at this point. But if you do have any tips on how I can get these new steps in and secured and watertight myself, than I am all ears.
But the real reason I am posting this is to know just how bad I have hurt my chances of ever using the pool again. I have tried two different kinds of cement (Hydraulic and a 5000 PSI generic), but bailed out when I got frustrated with the consistency being too difficult to work with. Is this something I can call a local pool builder to help me with? And how difficult of a job would this be for a professional? And how much do you think they might charge me to tackle this job ($500 or $5000)?
Well, part way through the sanding and plastering, we decided to address a broken ladder step in the deep end. This was a mistake, and I apologize for everything you are about to read and see next.
With and angle grinder and a chisel, I got the old ones out and created enough room to fit new ones in, which we bought online. And that's it... that is where I am stuck now. I've realized now that there are not many resources out there that cover this process, because it is probably not a wise thing to do. I have seen a video where a company does this by literally cutting them out while still submerged, so I know that somebody is crazy enough to try this kind of thing (in scuba gear, no less). And my wife linked me a support thread where someone briefly mentioned this kind of thing as an option. But I am in need of more guidance than that, and think I am very unlikely to get it, at this point. But if you do have any tips on how I can get these new steps in and secured and watertight myself, than I am all ears.
But the real reason I am posting this is to know just how bad I have hurt my chances of ever using the pool again. I have tried two different kinds of cement (Hydraulic and a 5000 PSI generic), but bailed out when I got frustrated with the consistency being too difficult to work with. Is this something I can call a local pool builder to help me with? And how difficult of a job would this be for a professional? And how much do you think they might charge me to tackle this job ($500 or $5000)?
| Full shot of all three steps cut out | Close-up of one step | Replacement step |
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