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 smooth and/or wet. Inside, non-tactile shoes and smooth wood surfaces are a risky combination. And for external steps, rain, algae and ice can make them particularly treacherous, especially when people haven’t prepared themselves for it.

Your employees’ and/or the public’s safety is paramount, so ensuring wooden steps are safe should be a top priority to prevent slips and falls. Fortunately, there are a variety of options to make your steps safer and prevent any injuries from occurring on-site. We explore them below.

Cost-Effective Ways to Fix Your Slippery Wooden Steps

Power Washing

A quick search online will suggest solutions including power washing your wooden steps to lift off slippery algae. Whilst this may work initially, this is a temporary solution and if pursued, should be used in combination with one of the below products. This is also limited to fixing slippery algae, not cold weather and ice. This would only be detrimental in the colder months due to freezing.

Anti-Slip Tape

Anti-slip tape is a low-cost, anti-slip solution for light to heavy footfall traffic areas. Depending on the level of footfall in your location, your steps may require regular grade or coarse grade tape. Regular grade should cover light-medium traffic, whilst coarse grade is designed for medium-heavy footfall. Available in a range of colours and styles, your wooden steps’ aesthetics won’t be compromised.

For a more permanent application, conformable grade tape is the ideal tape solution. It will not lift or rise from the surface of the step and is ideal for uneven surfaces, retaining its shape.
Specialist anti-slip tape is also an option, including resilient tape for extra grip and glow in the dark tape for added safety in dimly lit areas, guiding people downstairs clearly and easily.

Pros:

Easy to install with guidance supplied
Minimal preparation required
Available in regular, coarse and conformable grade
Available in a range of colours
Glow-in-the-dark tape available for dark area

Anti-Slip Stair Tread Covers & Nosings

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, GRP stair tread edges’ colour will not wear off and will not 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.

Pros: