There are many people under the impression that stamped concrete is slippery.
Does stamped concrete get slippery when wet.
I have slipped on a few decorative concrete slabs myself but it wasn t the concrete that was slick.
Stamped concrete is not much different from regular concrete when it comes to slip resistance.
There are a few different things that can be done to help make the concrete more slip resistant.
The best way to reduce the slipperiness of stamped concrete is with a non slip additive.
For concrete floors or walkways exposed to moisture or in areas with a lot of foot traffic there are ways you can increase the slip resistance without affecting the color.
Use of a non slip additive when sealing is recommended on exterior applications and a non slip wax on interior applications.
For one thing when a stamped concrete surface near a pool is slick a topical sealer not the texture is often the culprit.
Depending on the design choices of each client stamped concrete can be polished to a glossy finish looking almost like marble instead of concrete.
When dry most sealers pass the national standards set by osha occupational safety and health administration for slip resistance.
Non slip additives are typically polymer type additives that resemble a grain of sugar fine or sea salt coarse.
But the same thin plastic layer that provides this protection and color enhancement also becomes very slippery when wet.
Like any hard smooth surface stained concrete can become slippery when wet especially if it has been coated with a high gloss sealer.
You can apply slip resistant pads or grip tape to various areas of the concrete to help provide more slip resistance.
It was the sealer.
If your steps tend to freeze painting them will help but only minimally so this may not be an option for you.
However just like natural stone it can become slippery when wet or if a film forming sealer has been applied.
Understand that sealed surfaces may be slippery during application prior to drying and when wet with water or liquids after drying.
Such shinier versions of stamped concrete can indeed become slippery when wet or when not carefully crafted.
Sealers for decorative concrete provide protection and enhance color.
Painting concrete steps can help make them less slippery.
If stamped concrete will be installed in a high traffic area such as an entryway or pool deck there are a number of things you can do to increase its slip resistance such as using a heavier texture or adding non skid additives.
That s good to know when you re hoping to keep customers from slipping on their new surface.
This tends to be a temporary fix since paint does peel over time.
There are several techniques and products you can use to make a stamped surface less slippery when wet.
Tape is an inexpensive quick solution for slippery steps.
The difference is in the sealer used.