How can I prevent problems with algae growth on steps into the water?
June 27, 2020 9:52 AM Subscribe
I have some stairs that lead down into a salt water bay. The steps that are wet grow algae that is slick and hazardous. I need to find a solution so that no one gets hurt.
These steps lead into a bay in Alabama. They are made of marine treated lumber. I would rather not have to wait until winter, when the bay water is low, to paint something onto them. I do not want to use something toxic to the environment, such as copper or nickel compounds. The steps need to remain friendly to bare feet, so traction treads don't sound good. I don't want to make visitors or renters responsible for scrubbing the algae off every week.
Would an astro-turf type door mat work, if it was tacked down? Or would the algae coat the plastic and make it slick, too? Is there a different solution that is friendly to feet, the environment, and safety?
These steps lead into a bay in Alabama. They are made of marine treated lumber. I would rather not have to wait until winter, when the bay water is low, to paint something onto them. I do not want to use something toxic to the environment, such as copper or nickel compounds. The steps need to remain friendly to bare feet, so traction treads don't sound good. I don't want to make visitors or renters responsible for scrubbing the algae off every week.
Would an astro-turf type door mat work, if it was tacked down? Or would the algae coat the plastic and make it slick, too? Is there a different solution that is friendly to feet, the environment, and safety?
Tack down some hexagonal chicken wire. It’s probably okay to be barefoot but I would prefer sandals to walk over it.
posted by Drosera at 12:18 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Drosera at 12:18 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
It would need to be renewed from time to time but a rope wrapped around the treads is pretty friendly to feet while still providing traction even with a build up of surface algae.
posted by Mitheral at 12:20 PM on June 27, 2020
posted by Mitheral at 12:20 PM on June 27, 2020
Best answer: My knowledgable person says "There are some new environmentally-safe bottom paints [i.e. might be free of the compounds you're trying to avoid], some of which have tested pretty well. Could look at West Marine to see if any of those sound like they'd work."
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:28 PM on June 27, 2020
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:28 PM on June 27, 2020
While the water is high and until you can paint them with bottom paint, can you get a nylon, stiff-bristled push broom and scrub them occasionally?
posted by Brittanie at 1:47 PM on June 27, 2020
posted by Brittanie at 1:47 PM on June 27, 2020
I recommend a combination of Coarse Grained Table Salt and a push broom or scrubbing brush that can accept a broom handle.
High salt levels will kill even salt-water algae. Coarse Salt also makes a good abrasive. Tossing some salt on the algae and scrubbing it off should push some of the salt into the wood, and buy you a little extra time between scrubbings. And it's cheaper and more environmentally friendly than chemicals or paint.
You'll obviously have to experiment to see how often you have to salt-n-scrub, and if it becomes too much work, then Marine Paint is the way to go.
posted by Anoplura at 4:02 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
High salt levels will kill even salt-water algae. Coarse Salt also makes a good abrasive. Tossing some salt on the algae and scrubbing it off should push some of the salt into the wood, and buy you a little extra time between scrubbings. And it's cheaper and more environmentally friendly than chemicals or paint.
You'll obviously have to experiment to see how often you have to salt-n-scrub, and if it becomes too much work, then Marine Paint is the way to go.
posted by Anoplura at 4:02 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
Are there handrails? Are they 3 ft or less apart so people can grip both rails at the same time?
posted by monotreme at 4:29 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by monotreme at 4:29 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
Could you fit a zip tie around each step? How wide, left to right, are the steps? Can you drill into the steps? How many steps are there?
H2O Slip Grip Underwater Treads - 2" x 24"
underwater concrete?
posted by at at 10:29 PM on June 28, 2020
H2O Slip Grip Underwater Treads - 2" x 24"
underwater concrete?
posted by at at 10:29 PM on June 28, 2020
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posted by tman99 at 11:38 AM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]