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Did you know that the smallest room in our homes can be a deathtrap? Recent statistics show more and more people are slipping in the bathrooms due to slippery flooring.
While many accidents happen around the home, one of the worst would be falling in the bathroom while taking a shower or just after. So how do yo make your shower floor less slippery?
What Causes A Slippery Shower Floor?
Before we can tackle the issue of a slippery shower floor, it is important to understand what makes them slippery.
1. Accumulation of Soap & Water
The most obvious cause of bathroom falls is the wetness and the soap that makes the floor slippery, hence dangerous.
Unless the shower floor is cleaned and left to dry after ever shower, then the numerous soaps, bathing gels and shampoos combined with water can create a very slippery shower floor!
2. Glossy & Polished Tiles
Homeowners fit glossy and polished miles on their bathroom floors, yet those are supposed to go on the walls.
Ignorant homeowners use these beautiful and flowered wall tiles on the floor, perhaps for aesthetic purposes, unaware that they are creating a deathtrap.
Now, let’s make your shower floor safer…
7 Ways to Make the Shower Floor Less Slippery
1. Clean the Shower Floor After Every Shower
If you have no budget for all the above alternatives, you can always clean and scrub the shower floor after every use.
A simple cleaning routine includes brushing the shower floor with a mix of baking soda and white vinegar before rinsing with water and drying it using a mop. You can also mix lemon juice and vinegar to clean the shower doors- this will also kill the mildew.
While this can be a routine done once to thrice a week, you can always scrub the shower floor using clean water after every shower.
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2. Ensure Proper Drainage
You also want to ensure there is efficient water drainage because water stagnation can make the floor slippery. Use a plunger to pump water down the drain so the shower floor remains water-free and dry.
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3. Use Proper Flooring
The best bathroom fl oors are impervious to water, hold up well to wear and tear, and have enough texture so they’re not overly slippery when wet
Therefore, when remodeling your shower, your contractor should build with the safety of the user in mind. You are supposed to fit non-slip ceramic tiles on the bathroom floor to prevent slipping.
When flooring your wet room, it is amust to use a safety flooring with a slip rating of R12. You can cover any slippery floor be it tiles, terazzo, and for new homes, leave the subfloor smooth nil finish and cover it with safety vinyl.
Tile is a popular choice, however, its biggest drawback is that it can be slippery when wet.
If that’s a special concern, look for tile with a high coefficient of friction, or COF. The higher the number, the more resistant the surface is to slips. The American with Disabilities Act suggests a minimum COF of 0.6
Tip…
It is a fact that many people construction homes choose to bypass professionals such as contractors and opt for the shortcut of DIY-ing or overseeing the construction themselves, thinking that it will be cheaper in the long run.
They therefore end up using inexperienced workmen who work within a tight budget. This ignorant attempt to save money, however, could cost their life.
4. Use an Anti-Slip Shower Mat
A simple purchase of an anti-slip shower mat can quickly make your shower more usable and significantly reduce the chances of accidents.
Shower mats in different sizes and colors so there’s always something for everyone’s bathroom. They are also mostly made of rubber, PVC, plastic, vinyl or wood. This makes them cost-effective, easy to clean and replace upon wear.
They mats adhere to the floor with suction cups while others are self-adhesive like this high-quality PVC mat on Amazon that uses an anti-slip layer that stays firm on the shower floor.
However, these mats will be functional with regular cleaning and scrubbing that also inhibits the growth of bacteria.
5. Use Anti-Slip Stickers or Adhesive Treads
Anti-slip stickers or adhesive bath treads are the thinner and smaller version of shower and bath mats that when placed on the shower floor, help to reduce slipperiness.
They stick to the floor with adhesive only and also come in a wide variety.
The upper surface of comes with approximately hundreds tiny protrusions per piece to increase friction. At the same time, this design is meant to allow water to flow freely further reducing the chances of soapy water accumulating.
6. Apply an Anti-Slip Coating
An anti-slip coating is a liquid-based floor coating made up of a combiantion of resin, acrlic or gloss and applied on shower floors to prevent slips and falls.
If you’re looking for an anti-slip coating for shower trays and tubs, Tub and Shower Grip is perfect.
This formula is a non-yellowing, water-based epoxy coating specially designed to provide anti-slip protection on acrylic and slippery fiberglass shower floor and tub surfaces.
It is incredibly durable, chemical-resistant and is ideal for providing effective anti-slip protection.
To apply an anti-slip formula to your shower floor:
- Prepare the surface thoroughly by cleaning it using a detergent to remove dirt, soap, scum or wax.
- Mark the area on the floor where you’ll apply the coating, ideally, the area you usually stand on. Test how slippery the floor is by sliding your hand through the surface when clean to determine the time frame of application.
Usuall, the time frame of application goes from 10-45 minutes for porcelain and ceramic tiles.
- Now, apply and even and thick layer of your anti-coating formula using a roller and allow it to dry from 4-5 hours. It is dry when the floor is clear and no longer milky.
These formulas are inexpensive and easy to apply, providing excellent grip. In addition, they don’t require any maintenance and don’t interfere with the aesthetic of your shower.
However, their application is time-consuming and if you use harsh floor cleaners, the coating may peel off so prevent this by only using gentle cleaners and regular sponges.
Tip…
While an anti-slip coating is more time consuming, one can also use an anti-slip spray like this one from SlipDoctors that provides a textured finish to prevent dangerous slip-and-fall accidents in the wet bathroom conditions.
However, it is usually not as durable when sprayed on the shower floor as it tends to bubble up after frequents showers and you will need to reapply it more often in a month.
7. Upgrade to an Anti-Slip Shower Tray
According to manufacturers, non-slip shower trays work to protect against falling while showering, a must-have for the elderly and those with limited mobility.
However, according to BS EN 14527, shower trays can become slippery and dangerous, especially when wet and soapy. Therefore, beware of this.
If you’d like to install a shower tray, choose shower trays with a dedicated anti-slip surface. For instance, solid stone resin shower trays. Just be sure to cross-check with the manufacturer. The right contractor should also be able to confirm this.
TIP: Also, Install a Grab Bar
Grab bars not only make your bathroom more accessible for someone recovering from an injury, or a child who may need an extra handhold but also provide welcome stability for someone whose balance is a little off.
Grab bars and anything that might temporarily serve as a grab bar— including towel racks and toilet paper holders—must be solidly anchored to wall framing.
In addition to the more conventional horizontal type, consider vertical grab bars near the toilet and in the shower. They’re especially handy and easy to grab in the case of a slipping accident.
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Add traction to your shower floor and make it less slippery using the tips above.
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