Why some floors get so slippery
- Smooth, glazed surfaces. Polished porcelain, glazed ceramic, marble and terrazzo have very little grip once there's water on them.
- Residue. Grease, soap and floor-cleaner build-up leave a film that makes even textured tile slick.
- Snow, slush and salt tracked in all winter.
Option 1: Clean off the residue
Start here. A floor coated in grease or cleaner residue is slippery no matter what it's made of. Deep-cleaning the tile and grout often makes a noticeable difference by itself. Use the right amount of cleaner, since too much leaves a film, and rinse.
Option 2: Mats and runners
Good for entryways and in front of sinks and dish pits. They need to lie flat and be cleaned regularly, and they only protect the spot they cover.
Option 3: Anti-slip treatment
A treatment is applied to the existing surface and increases traction without a thick coating, so the floor keeps its look. We use Nano Grip, a specialized material that makes ceramic, porcelain, terrazzo, concrete, marble and stone floors non-slip. It suits kitchens, washrooms, entryways, tubs and showers.
Option 4: Coatings
Epoxy and urethane anti-slip coatings are thick, textured layers. They work well in warehouses and parkades, but they change how the floor looks and feels and eventually wear or chip.
Option 5: Replace the floor
The most expensive and disruptive option, and usually unnecessary unless the tile is damaged anyway.
Where to start
| Area | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Commercial kitchen, dish pit | Deep clean plus anti-slip treatment |
| Washrooms, tubs, showers | Anti-slip treatment |
| Entryways in winter | Treatment plus good mats |
| Warehouse or parkade concrete | Coating may suit better |