HOW TO FIX SLIPPERY WOODEN STEPS
Wooden steps are an aesthetically pleasing addition to buildings both inside and out. However, in an instant, wood can become a dangerous slipping hazard, particularly when there is little tread and it’s wet. Inside, non-tactile shoes and smooth wood surfaces are a risky combination.
Your employees’ and the public’s safety is paramount, so ensuring wooden steps are safe should be a top priority to prevent slips and falls. While aesthetically pleasing, and a common building material, wood is a slip risk, especially in wet and icy British weather.
It’s not always just rainfall either; algae, mould and damp damage can also make wood dangerous.
But how can you make sure outdoor wooden surfaces have minimal slip risks?
Common Methods Used to Make Wood Less of a Slip Risk
People often use a variety of methods to make wood less slippery, all having varying levels of success. Different methods include chicken wire, anti-slip paint, anti-slip tape and GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) strips.
Chicken Wire for Anti-Slip
While chicken wire is often used as an anti-slip solution, it only really works for a very short amount of time, especially in areas of heavy footfall. Chicken wire, due to its construction, can easily be torn, which makes the risk of it causing either damage or slips significantly higher.
Chicken wire, while a temporary solution to make wood less slippery, is never good in the long run, as it causes more danger than necessary.
Anti-Slip Paint and Coatings
Used both indoors and outdoors, anti-slip paint and coatings for wooden floors help to ensure that the floors look good while remaining less slippery. More successful indoors than outdoors, anti-slip paint often contains aggregates in micro size to ensure that the look of the floor doesn’t change too drastically, while increasing the anti-slip properties.
Again, similar, to chicken wire, anti-slip paints work well in areas with low footfall, but in areas outside, and where lots of people visit, anti-slip paint will chip and wear quickly.
Self-Adhesive Tape
Anti-slip tape works when dry, but as soon as wood gets wet, or gets put through high footfall, the tape peels away and delaminates in the rain.
While it can be a good temporary solution that suffices in hot weather, it will need replacing with a more permanent solution come winter.
How Can You Fix Slippery Wood Outdoors?
There are two ways to fix slippery wood outdoors:
- With GRP sheets that are nailed into the wood
- With anti-slip GRP stair nosing or treads
Other methods will eventually wear away and will not be as effective.
The pendulum test for outdoor wooden steps
This test measures the dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF). It’s designed to replicate a pedestrian heel strike – the point at which most slips occur. When a pedestrian heel strikes a wet floor, a fluid film is created between them which can cause a slip.
The test works in wet conditions because it generates a similar fluid film between the slider and the floor. It can be used to accurately test the slip potential on clean and dry or contaminated floors. This also works with dry contaminants.
This is HSE’s preferred method of testing because it is portable and mimics the conditions that slip accidents happen. Pendulum results are referred to as Pendulum Test Values (PTV) or Slip Resistance Values (SRV). When the test is operated properly, the PTV should be interpreted as shown in the table.
PTV | Slip Potential |
0-24 | High |
25-35 | Medium |
36+ | Low |
Anti-Slip for Steps: Tread Covers & Nosings
The only long term sure way to solve a slippery surface on wooden steps is using GRIPCLAD ® GRP Composite Anti-Slip Sheeting. Our PTV Test Dry is 76 and PTV Wet is 70. This means that the risk of slipping when using this sheeting is very low.
Another solution to fix slippery wooden steps are GRP stair tread covers and nosings. Stair tread covers give you complete anti-slip protection as the entire step is covered with a tactile grit surface.
No matter your requirements, treads can be made to measure for any wooden steps up to a width of 3660mm and depth of 345mm. With a highlighted colour edge, you can ensure your steps are visible to everyone, including those with visual impairments. Unlike paint, which requires consistent retouching, the colour of GRP stair tread edges will not wear off or corrode.
The difference between stair tread covers and nosings is that nosings fit seamlessly on the edge of your steps to provide anti-slip protection where necessary. Available up to a width of 3660mm and depth of 55mm, these provide protection to the edge of your wooden steps, preventing chips and making your steps safer.
Both covers and nosings are suitable for internal and external use and are extremely durable. For more specialist applications, they are the perfect option as they are chemical resistant and fire retardant.
Advantages of stair treads and nosings:
- Minimal downtime
- No regular maintenance necessary
- Available in a range of colours
- Enhanced for visibility
- Made to measure
- Chemical resistant
How to Install GRP Sheets
GRP Sheets can be installed very easily. All you need is your GRP sheets and some heavy duty screws, as well as a screwdriver. An electric screwdriver is better for installation.
To install your GRP sheets, you will need to:
- Cut your sheets to the size you need them to be. GripClad® supplies all sheets cut to your size requirements.
- Lay your sheets out and mark where the screws will be to ensure they remain even and uniform.
- Get your screwdriver and screw straight down into the wood. This will secure the GRP sheet.
You can also bolt, rivet or bond your sheets, but this does depend on the construction of your steps.
How to Install GRP Stair Nosings
A relatively simple install, GRP nosings do need a more prepared approach to installation.
To install, you will need:
- Your nosings
- Screws
- Screwdriver
How to install GRP stair nosings:
- Make sure that you have a flat enough surface so that the nosing will not become a trip hazard by being laid unevenly. You may need to sand down your steps.
- Place your nosing on the steps.
- Screw in, starting with the two outer screws and working inwards.
Looking for a solution to fix outdoor wooden steps?
If you would like a quote or more information about the anti-slip products and services we provide, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.