How can I make a tile walkway unslippery?
September 26, 2021 10:11 AM Subscribe
Our home has tile on its main entry walkway, but it’s not outdoor tile - it is incredibly slippery when wet or icy. Short of tearing all of it out, are there any solutions that could improve this situation and - bonus - not look like garbage?
This was always a someday project, but upon our first winter in our home it became a safety issue. But in short, our entire front walk and porch is set in 12x12” tile that is either not for outdoors or is just pretty poor or both.
There may be concrete underneath, but I’m interested in seeing if there are alternative solutions to ripping it up - particularly after getting quotes on redoing it in concrete.
The tile is such that I could do something on top of it, but the clearance between the tile and our front door is really tight.
The bonus here is that I find the tile color - a faded salmon - pretty nasty, so bonus points if it improves or changes the aesthetic.
This was always a someday project, but upon our first winter in our home it became a safety issue. But in short, our entire front walk and porch is set in 12x12” tile that is either not for outdoors or is just pretty poor or both.
There may be concrete underneath, but I’m interested in seeing if there are alternative solutions to ripping it up - particularly after getting quotes on redoing it in concrete.
The tile is such that I could do something on top of it, but the clearance between the tile and our front door is really tight.
The bonus here is that I find the tile color - a faded salmon - pretty nasty, so bonus points if it improves or changes the aesthetic.
Best answer: Anti-slip paint for Tile /Concrete ? Comes in several brands/colors.
posted by lobstah at 10:23 AM on September 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by lobstah at 10:23 AM on September 26, 2021 [4 favorites]
Well they're not that small upon reflection, but easy enough to cut. You could of course cover the whole thing but that would be expensive and you'll probably want to replace them as they get worn. Maybe someone sells dots too.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 10:24 AM on September 26, 2021
posted by Jack Karaoke at 10:24 AM on September 26, 2021
There are myriad traction enhancing sealers for pool decks that would work well in your application. They mostly just roll on like paint while remaining clear (though usually duller than ceramic tiles). Most retail pool supply places are geared towards homeowners and probably have something in stock.
posted by Mitheral at 10:32 AM on September 26, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 10:32 AM on September 26, 2021 [7 favorites]
Best answer: There are a number of clear topical treatments to make tile more slip-resistant. Here's a good one:
SlipDoctors
We used to recommend products like this for businesses that inadvertently (or negligently) installed glossy/decorative tile on commercial floors and didn't want to tear it up but didn't want people slipping.
posted by rachaelfaith at 10:33 AM on September 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
SlipDoctors
We used to recommend products like this for businesses that inadvertently (or negligently) installed glossy/decorative tile on commercial floors and didn't want to tear it up but didn't want people slipping.
posted by rachaelfaith at 10:33 AM on September 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Maybe some acid to etch the surface, followed by a matte/ de-slip sealer, to which I'd be tempted to add some sand. It's so dangerous, and also a liability issue.
posted by theora55 at 10:38 AM on September 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 10:38 AM on September 26, 2021 [2 favorites]
Best answer: There are a number of textured spray paints for this purpose. Just make sure to tape off what you don’t want colored or textured.
posted by Bottlecap at 11:10 AM on September 26, 2021
posted by Bottlecap at 11:10 AM on September 26, 2021
The anti slip treatments work, but you have to reapply them regularly as in every 6 months to a year, so they kind of suck. Lots of tile labeled ‘pool safe’ isn’t as non-slip when wet as it really should be.
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:24 PM on September 26, 2021
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:24 PM on September 26, 2021
Sandblast with coarse abrasive .
posted by hortense at 5:05 PM on September 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by hortense at 5:05 PM on September 26, 2021 [1 favorite]
Throw some rock salt or just gravel or cat litter. Some sort of grit.
posted by zengargoyle at 9:56 PM on September 26, 2021
posted by zengargoyle at 9:56 PM on September 26, 2021
As an interim solution, maybe put some old carpets down. Just until you find a permanent fix.
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:39 PM on September 26, 2021
posted by Crystal Fox at 10:39 PM on September 26, 2021
Response by poster: Thanks all!
For what it’s worth a Google historical street view shows a prior owner used a carpet (more like a commercial floor mat) in the past, so that could work - but I am going to explore the world of non-slip coatings. The giant non-stick tape is also super intriguing.
posted by hijinx at 8:41 PM on September 28, 2021
For what it’s worth a Google historical street view shows a prior owner used a carpet (more like a commercial floor mat) in the past, so that could work - but I am going to explore the world of non-slip coatings. The giant non-stick tape is also super intriguing.
posted by hijinx at 8:41 PM on September 28, 2021
Response by poster: Noting for future generations that the resolution was to buy thin outdoor rugs that fit the space.
posted by hijinx at 8:02 PM on July 12, 2022
posted by hijinx at 8:02 PM on July 12, 2022
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They make colors and patterns too, but they tend to be pretty bold and garish.
I suppose one could score the the tile, but that would probably just make it break down. Maybe there's a way to mildly texture it, but the idea feels futile.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 10:22 AM on September 26, 2021 [1 favorite]