Eliminate Fall Hazards: 3 Ways You Can Make Your Concrete Steps Safer
Are your concrete steps hazardous? If you find that it's easy to trip or slip on your concrete steps, you need to do something about it before someone is seriously injured or even killed due to a fall accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 27,000 people are injured or killed each year after taking a fall. And older people are even more susceptible. One out of every three seniors will suffer a fall at some point in their golden years. If you're worried about the safety of your stairs, following are three ways you can make your concrete steps safer.
Repair Broken and Chipped Treads
If harsh weather and heavy foot traffic have taken a toll on your concrete steps, you might notice that your stairs are starting to chip or crack. Since uneven tread surfaces can cause someone to trip or fall, it's vital that you fix the problem right away. Fortunately, most stairs can be patched or repaired quite easily by a contractor. However, if you allow the damage to progress substantially, you might have to have a new set of stairs installed.
Apply a Slip-Resistant Coating
If you are installing a new set of concrete steps, your contractor from a site like http://www.unitstepjoliet.com might ask you about slip-resistant coatings and finishes. If they don't, you should definitely ask about your options. In many cases, the contractor will add texture to the surface of the treads to prevent slips. This can be achieved by roughing up the surface of the concrete before it dries or adding some sort of grit to the cement itself or the coating that follows, such as rock salt, seeded aggregate and silica sand.
Use Non-Slip Products
If your stairs are existing, you can take advantage of several products that are on the market. You can add silica sand or clear grit, which can be purchased at any home-improvement store, to a clear sealant or coating to give your stairs a rough, non-slip texture. If you do not wish to reseal your steps, you can place slip-resistant tape, which is available in a wide variety of styles and colors, to your stair treads.
There are several ways you can make your concrete steps safer. If you're not sure how to fix your fall hazard, be sure to contact a professional. A contractor who is knowledgeable about concrete and concrete products can help you find a solution for your slippery stairs.
