There it is. Stainless steel. Three steps. Slight curve. A bolt or two into the deck.
You probably don’t think about the ladder. That’s fine. It doesn’t ask for much.
It sits silently by the edge of the deep end, waiting for someone to use it. It never brags. It never breaks (until it does). And when it does, oh, you suddenly care a lot.
Let’s talk about your relationship with your pool ladder
You think of it as a minor accessory. It thinks of itself as the only reason Aunt Susan will get back out of the pool. Without it, your guests are clinging to coping stones like exhausted sea lions.
Ever tried exiting the deep end without a ladder? Not graceful. Not recommended.
When was the last time you checked its bolts?
That’s what I thought.
Pool ladders age in silence. They loosen, rust, or shift slightly without saying a word. And one day, someone puts a foot on that bottom step and the whole thing creaks sideways like a betrayed bridge. Check your anchor sockets. Tighten the bolts. Give it a wobble.
If it wiggles like it’s trying to escape, fix it.
Is your ladder actually pool-safe?
I know it was on sale. But some ladders aren’t made for your pool’s finish. You’ve got a vinyl liner? You need non-abrasive rubber bumpers. No bumpers? You’re slowly tearing holes in your liner every time someone uses it.
Or maybe you installed the ladder without escutcheon plates. Now it looks like a pipe sprouting from the concrete. Respect the design, folks.
Also, ladders get dirty too
People clean the walls. They clean the steps. They vacuum every corner. And the ladder just sits there collecting skin cells and algae film. It deserves better.
Take five minutes. Scrub the rails. Hit the steps with a brush. Make it shine like the day you met.
It’ll never thank you. But it will keep doing its job quietly. Reliably. And maybe help Aunt Susan feel confident enough to swim again.
Have more pool equipment issues? Check out our pool supplies and hardware blog.
