cab steps - to drill or not drill?

[discipleofsketch]

The steps in my cab have had plates welded over at some point - I can feel the old rotten steps underneath. Predictably they fill with water, so I was wondering whether I should drill some holes to let it drain. Am I right in thinking that they have holes from new?

My worry with drilling is that water will then make its way between the new plate and the remains of the old and lead to more rot. My plan is to get the van undercover for a bit and get under there to remove as much of the old steps as possible, treat and underseal. If I then go on to drill them, so people generally fit rubber grommets to the holes?

Alternatively i'll just hammerite the tops, and put up with the water!

Apologies if there is already a thread on this..

[R0B]

Yes mate.They have a fair few holes from new.The rubber step covers push into these.

[boatbuilder]

If it was welded on top of the old step, then I'd bet that there is lots of rust in there already anyway.
Drill the holes and see what happens

[Plasticman]

so some lazy bodger has dogged abit of plate over it.. just drill some holes , you wont make it worse
mm