Slippery bathroom floors are commonly the most dangerous sight that exists, having the potential to cause immense damage to the body.
Apart from the ironic humor, slippery washrooms are growing problematic. There is a time when I have witnessed the horror when you can’t hold a grip on anything.
Furnished washrooms with exquisite flooring and fitting look posh.
Still, they come with consequences when waterproof or not compliant with the slippers and shoes are worn in the washroom.
Across many searches and forums, it has been debated why bathroom floors slip and the adjacent factors that come with slipping beyond control.
Let us have a look at some of the aspects that cause washroom slipping:
Flooring
The floors most prone to slipping are wet, polished tile, the soapy substance left as residue on the tile and with that moisture from the skin makes it a deadly combination.
Different sources suggest different ways how one can avoid slippery floors.
Read Also – How To Level Bathroom Floor? (Step By Step)
Let us look at some of the suggestions that can prevent and save us on our finances (medical too, I mean).
Installation Of Anti-Slip Shower Mats
One of the cheapest convenient ways of saving your floors is the installation of shower mats.
They resemble the one you see as flooring around swimming pools, which provides grip and anti-slip flooring to walk on after coming out of the pool (as the skin retains moisture for a longer period and can cause one to slip).
The anti-slip shower mats not only significantly reduce the chances of slipping but add a striking texture to the bathroom floor. But with each aspect discussed, there are both pros and cons.
The pro is that you can actually be firm on the fact that it will save you from slipping, but slipping mats do require their own maintenance as well. They have to be replaced after a certain period, not to forget that need be ensured of being squeaky clean. Any amount of soapy substance left underneath the mat or on the mat can result in slipping.
Here is a link to the top seller bathroom mats, The Gorilla Grip mats. If you are still into buying Anti-slip shower mats, Amazon deals in a variety of mats that will match your bathroom settings and flooring as well.
Tile Treatments
One of the most long-lasting ways of making your floors slip-proof is by having tile treatments. This can be done by a variety of solvents and substances available in the market.
I have shortlisted a few for your convenience to understand which will be most suited for your type of flooring.
Read Also – How To Seal Wood Floors In Bathroom?
Stone grip Anti-slip Tile treatment is a microscopic tread treatment that is best suited for ceramic, porcelain, or for one of those rustic non-sealed stone floors. As discussed, this acts as a sealed sealant and creates a surface bond that builds resistance and provides a solid non-slip surface to walk on.
The application is very convenient and affordable and does not require much hassle. You can use microfiber mops and use the product as directed. The application is smooth, and the solvent adjusts to the texture of the tiles.
Deck grip Anti-slip treatment is a non -yellowing, ever vibrant sealant used mainly for concrete flooring. Concrete floors are more prone to growing mounds. The porous structure may provide more room for soapy material and chemicals to deposit.
This is a commercial range product that is extensively used in spas, pools, and changing areas. This product is not only Anti-slip but also is UV resistant. This is environment-friendly and does not cause any sort of damage to barefoot skin.
Epoxy Paint can be a damaging method that adds beauty, protect the surface, and save the bathroom floor from slipping. Epoxy paint, come in a variety of color and finishes. It is easy to apply.
Epoxy paint serves as an anti-slip surface and a sealant between the tile gaps that prevent water from depositing and provide the medium for mold to grow.
Rugs And Throws
Besides considering the costly and more technical approaches to make your bathrooms skidproof. You can always go towards the conventional way of preventing slipping by using rugs and throws.
Rubber suction mats, rugs, and throws add comfort to our bathrooms and add style to them.
However, there are plenty of items available that one should be considered before buying from the market.
- Rubber Suction Rugs:
Rubber suction rugs and throws have been the most traditional types of mats and have ruled the market for ages. They are both affordable and reliable as they do not let water ruin their durability and reliability.
They provide excellent non-slip surfaces, and their powerful suction keeps the rugs and throw intact to the surface.
- Silicon Base Rugs:
Silicon base mats are waterproof and anti-slip. They are an excellent source of providing non-slipping material in your homes, especially bathrooms.
Silicon glues and adhesive are usually used to seal the gaps between kitchen tile and bathroom tiles. The silicon base mats, rugs, and throws provide a firm surface, even on wet tile.
Read Also – How To Replace Bathroom Tiles That Have Fallen Off
- Microfiber Rugs With Super Absorption:
Microfiber 3M rugs and throws are not super soft and comfortable but also highly absorbent. They tend to absorb 3 times more water than average mops, sponges, or wipes used for kitchen and bathrooms.
They come in a variety of colors that you can color coordinate. They are sold in sets and separately for each part of the bathrooms.
Maintenance
There comes a time when all fail, then we couch for the old-fashioned ways that don’t cost us much, but they are underrated for their ease and access. We include all of them in maintenance.
They require you to play your part and do the necessary setting around the bathroom according to your own convivence.
- Using Double-Sided Sticky Tape For Rugs:
Say you are not convinced with the whole concept of resigning your floors and using both user-friendly and stylish rugs. You can use double-sided stickily tape; that can be used as adhesive to stick the rugs to the bathroom floor.
This provides an anti-slip surface and at a much lower cost. Sometimes the throws used are color-coordinated or adjacent to the design of the bathrooms. For that very purpose, we can always consider switching to more convenient options.
- Proper Drainage:
After showering, in a jacuzzi, bathtub, or shower, ensure the drainage is clean and has free-flowing water or soapy residue after bathing.
In case of no proper drainage, the soapy substance is deposited on the sides of the bathtub or the floor of the shower or jacuzzi, which may result in slipping once again exposed to water.
Therefore, drainage should be considered as an essential part of the Anti-slip campaign.
- Self-Adhesive Bathroom Strips:
one of the cheaper ways is the use of self-adhesive treads. These are made by PEVA material, which is mounted on tiles, as per the required spacing. They are applied by cleaning the surface with alcohol pads or swabs.
- Installation Of Handrails And Supports:
it is always supportive of installing handrails and wall mounts, helping one keep a hold on as extra support. This is most beneficial for the elderly, can save a lot of space, and provide maximum safety efforts.
- Lighting And Visibility:
Fancy lighting always adds that special oomph to the bathrooms or any room in the house. Still, most essentially, in bathrooms, lighting serves as visibility and hence should be considered of utmost importance.
Read Also – How To Remove Rust From Bathroom Light Fixture
Visibility is necessary to see if water or any other slippery substance may cause the accident. Hence, lighting should be adequate for you to see and analyze your space.
- Powdered And Slippery Solvent:
Avoid powder and moisture solvents that get stuck in the gaps of the tiles and grow as a slippery medium, which later prevent us from gripping the tile’s surface. This can cause immense damage and hence lead to major calamities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the microfiber save, in terms of absorbing the liquids?
Ans. 3M Microfiber rugs and throws are the most extensively used mats for bathrooms. They not only add style to your bathroom but thoroughly keep your bathroom floors dry. They have superb absorption tendency, that creates a moisture shield, and resist water build up.
However, certain measures are to be kept in mind, not to have other solvents for example, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizer to be avoided.
If in contact with the mat, they need to be thoroughly cleaned, as chemicals absorbed in the fiber of the mats can create that ‘slip ‘affect and hence kills the purpose of the mats in the bathrooms.
Can stone grip be used on concrete floor?
After using Stone Grip treatment, the tiles are to be cleaned with a mild soapy liquid and then washed through using baking soda in water. Stone Grip, is a mild chemical and the amount of treatment depends upon, how much resistance you want on your tiles.
The rest of the chemical remains can be flushed down the toilet or down the drainage. It will not affect the drainage as the treatment effect on tiles.
Epoxy paint, resembles the properties of Resin, but I fear it will wash away with time. Is this a fact or a myth?
No, stone grip works best on porcelain and ceramic tile as the chemical adjust to the texture of the tile. Since porcelain and ceramic tiles are less porous and stone grip creates a thin barrier on the tiles, which will not be beneficial in terms of concrete and stone tile.
For concrete tile, it is strictly advices to use Deck Grip treatment, as it works best with porous surfaces and serve as a sealant as well.
Can vinegar be used to wash the mold of the tiles? Will that affect the sealant?
Showers have immense deposits of shampoos, conditioner and soapy matter. The remains of soapy substance, creates moisture and hence can result in mold growth. To make your showers skidproof, it is best you use rubber suction shower mats, after thoroughly cleaning the tile surface.
Make sure you place the mats, on dry surface for maximum suction. Incase, you don’t want to use mats, you can always use Self-Adhesive tapes, placed on the tiles according to your own requirement.
Silicon is being extensively used in form of glues and sealant. Would they serve as a better alternative than Chemical sealant?
Calcium Bicarbonates, is used as cement and sealant for tiles. Unfortunately, if not prepared in proper combination, the sealant is washed away with the period of time, because of water flow or the soapy substance, that pretty much removes the resistance.
It is best to used the Calcium Bicarbonate with Potash to make it a strong sealant. However, such a chemical combination may not be beneficial for the skin.
Conclusion
I hope you find this helpful to cope with the problems growing actively of having slippery bathrooms. This may be less discussed, but we come across major injuries caused by slipping in the bathroom.
These were some of the major preventions that can be used while considering opting for Anti-slip flooring.
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