Do you want to make your concrete floor slip-resistant? If yes, you are at the right place. In this article, we’ll briefly discuss how to make concrete floor slip–resistant.
Slippery concrete is extremely hazardous. A minor slip and fall can cause you to hit your head, break your hip, or suffer other serious injuries.
If your home has a concrete surface or decorative concrete, it is important to protect it from water and other elements not to become slippery.
How To Make Concrete Floor Slip-Resistant
There are various types of finishes that you can adopt to make freshly poured concrete steps safer.
1. Better Concrete
Most importantly, if at all possible, try to focus on laying down the best quality concrete possible so you don’t have to rely as heavily on a sealer to avoid a slip.
Even a thin layer of good sealer can be enough to prevent an accidental slip in your home if the concrete is durable and the paint job is thorough.
A thin layer of sealer will also keep plastic from accumulating, which will reduce the amount of decorative sealer and grit additives you need to apply to your concrete surface.
Keep in mind that you’re using the sealer to strengthen your concrete, and make sure that the sealer does not cause the concrete’s weakness.
2. Anti–Slip Sealer
The first option is to use a slip-resistant sealer. You can use penetrative sealers, which work beneath the surface rather than changing the texture of the surface.
These sealers penetrate the pores and react to the surface beneath, strengthening it from within. Because they do not change the surface from the outside, these sealers are naturally non-slippery.
You can confidently walk on the sealer coating as if you were walking directly on the concrete. Use a water-repellent sealer, which reduces surface water absorption by up to 95%, making the surface resistant to snow, frost, rain, and other elements.
You not only protect your family and guests from slip and fall accidents, but you also protect your concrete from normal wear and tear caused by weather elements.
3. Slip-Resistant Additives
Anti-slip additives will be available wherever you purchase the sealer. Depending on how much traction the slippery surface requires, they are typically available in fine or coarse grades.
4. Rock Salt Finishing
This type of finishing is applied before the concrete has completely cured. The method entails sprinkling salt over a wet concrete surface and smoothing it out with a trowel. The salt washing is removed when the concrete surface has fully cured, revealing an appealing texture.
Several people have discovered that adding elements such as aluminum oxide grit to the sealer makes a significant difference. The material is widely available and compatible with a wide range of sealers.
The best part is that it comes in various colors, giving you a variety of options without compromising the appearance of your slippery concrete surface. The material is reasonably priced and can provide extensive coverage.
5. Silica Sand
The procedure entails applying a layer of silica sand over the first coat of fresh concrete sealer. After the first coat of concrete sealer has dried, the second coat is applied and finished. The surface looks given a small cloudy appearance using this method.
6. Muriatic Or Hydrochloric Acid
A 25% muriatic acid solution can etch slippery concrete and give it a rougher surface. The Acid can eat away at the top layer of concrete, exposing the sand that mixes into it. As a result of this exposure, the concrete will have a slightly rough surface similar to sandpaper.
It transforms your slick concrete into a skid-resistant floor even when wet. For your safety wear safety goggles, rubber gloves, and protective clothing when using this method.
7. Paint And Primer
You can also have the slick concrete primed and repainted while adding grit additives to the paint to make it non-slippery. Clear grit works similarly to silica sand, but it does not cloud your concrete sealer.
Again, the grit will be available where you purchase the concrete paint. Follow the suggested proportions and mix them into the paint as directed.
While sand and sawdust can also applied as grit additives, the newer material, sold specifically to make the concrete less slippery, is much lighter and mixes with paint more easily. As a result, working with these additives will be much easier for you.
8. Color Hardener
Color hardeners appear to be another effective method for contractors. Even if you apply the hardener, you will notice the significant benefit and heavy coverage it can provide. The color hardener does not appear on the surface as prominently as polymer grit.
It is also much more durable than the sealer, which is important because the additive must lift off to prevent slipping when it wears out. You will not have the same issue with this color hardener technique.
Conclusion
Concrete surfaces can enhance the appearance of a room or any environment in which they are used. Concrete surfaces, when done correctly, can be considered decorative and add to the aesthetic appeal of their surroundings.
However, you may have heard of slips and other mishaps occurring on concrete more frequently than they should. Even a small amount of water on concrete can quickly become extremely dangerous if not properly treated.
It is not only for the elderly and children; even young people in their prime can injure themselves severely by slipping and falling on concrete.
Also Read
How To Resurface Concrete
How To Repair Concrete Cracks
How To Prevent Concrete Cracks
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