Is the floor of your house slippery? Have you suffered a slip that has ended in a fall? If you have this problem with any of the flooring, it is essential to solving it as soon as possible to avoid accidents that could be dangerous.
You can carry out a full-fledged reform to replace the floor with another that has non-slip qualities. Or you can use one of the simpler, faster and cheaper solutions we propose below.
Watch out for slips!
Very smooth surfaces and the presence of water are two factors that, when they go hand in hand, can have a very negative consequence on floors: resulting in slippery floors that pose a danger to children and the elderly.
The edge of the pool, the floor of the terrace or the porch, the bathrooms or the kitchen are the spaces in which you have to be more vigilant, as they are exposed to water and humidity.
The materials most likely to cause slips are porcelain stoneware, ceramic and granite, provided they do not have a non-slip treatment.
A problem with old floors
The risk of dangerous slips is especially pronounced on old floors since, in newer constructions, the regulations require that materials with anti-slip treatments be placed in certain areas of the house.
This is the case in the kitchen and the bathroom, as well as the terrace or balcony and the outdoor living areas. Therefore, looking for other types of solutions in the oldest houses is necessary.
To each material, its treatment
When choosing one solution or another to make a surface non-slip, it is essential to consider the material from which it is made. It is not the same to treat floors that contain silicates, such as stoneware, granite or glazed ceramics, as other types of flooring.
For these floors, a specific product that affects the silica component can be applied and manages to create microporosities on the surface, increasing friction and reducing the sliding capacity.
How to create non-slip surfaces
One of the most common treatments is to apply liquids that transform surfaces into non-slip. It is very suitable for ceramic floors. Thanks to it, slippery tiles are no longer a problem.
– Start by cleaning the floor and letting it dry completely.
– Then, apply the product following the manufacturer’s instructions regarding dosage and method of use.
– Wait until the indicated time and then rinse with water.
Grainy effect varnish
Although it can also be applied indoors, it is a suitable treatment for outdoor floors. It consists of applying a special varnish with micro granules that gives the pavement a rough texture that solves the problem.
It is very suitable for floors of cement, concrete, tiles, stone, etc.
– It is applied with a brush or roller on a clean and dry floor. Therefore, waiting at least 12 hours is necessary before stepping on it.
– If you apply it on outdoor floors, plan the work on a day when no rain is expected to avoid ruining the result.
Anti-slip spray
This very easy-to-use solution is especially suitable for small spaces such as bathrooms or bathtubs and shower trays.
It is a transparent spray varnish capable of turning a slippery surface into a non-slip one.
The procedure is simple. It is enough to shake the container very well before applying the product to the entire area at a distance of about 20 or 30 cm. After an hour has elapsed, the surface is no longer slippery.
Prevent falls with adhesive bands
Non-slip tapes are a traditional method to prevent falls in specific areas such as stairs, ramps or corridors.
It consists of sticking some adhesive tapes with rough surfaces, like sandpaper. Although it cannot be said that it is a very decorative resource, it is practical and economical. As a drawback, it could be pointed out that they end up being damaged, so it is necessary to renew them from time to time.
There are different variants of these adhesive tapes: special ones for areas where people walk barefoot, glow-in-the-dark tapes and others suitable for outdoors that can be placed, for example, on access paths.
Turn to professionals
Although all of these treatments we have discussed can be applied by yourself, they are simple solutions for small spaces.
If the area to be treated is very large, it is best to leave the work in the hands of specialized professionals who will be able to turn your floors into non-slip surfaces, whether they are ceramic, natural stone or terrazzo.
Carved floors that do not slip
Carving the pavement is another solution to avoiding accidents due to slips and falls at home. The work has to be carried out by a professional and consists of making some lines of the draft in the pavement with specific machinery that ends with the slippery surface.
Although it is a practical and effective method, it has some drawbacks: it is not suitable for all materials and can be expensive compared to other alternatives.
