Most Common Reasons Your Tile Floor Is So Slippery

Tiles are made from a variety of materials, such as cork, concrete, and even glass. But, the most common material is ceramic. This is what allows tiles to have a smooth, uniform finish. They are incredibly durable and look great with almost any room décor.

However, tiles also have a reputation for being slippery, especially when wet. That’s not an attractive option. After all, no one wants to slip over and potentially hurt themselves. Considering more than 100,000 people were in 2016-2017, and the number is increasing each year, it’s a real risk. 

Fortunately, by identifying the reason your tile floor is so slippery you can do something about it.

The Finish

The simple truth is that many tiles are designed to be slippery. They are smooth, making it easy to keep them clean. Fortunately, you can remove the issue by using polyurethane floor paints. These coat your tiles, maintaining the original colour or even allowing you to change the colour. The coating is durable and formulated to be non-slip. 

You’ll notice the difference instantly and wonder why you didn’t do it early. 

Keep Them Dry

This applies to all types of flooring. You should have a mat at the doorway and encourage people to remove their outside shoes. This helps to keep dirt, moisture, and debris off the floor.

Of course, accidents will happen and fluids can be spilt on the floor. If this is the case then you’ll want to clear them up as quickly as possible. You should start by soaking up the fluid before cleaning the area with a suitable floor cleaner. It will prevent a coating from appearing on the surface of the tile which can make it more slippery.

The same is true when cleaning. It’s important to clean your tiles regularly. That means daily brushing and weekly mopping. When you mop you can use plenty of water and floor cleaner. But, for safety’s sake, you should dry the floor properly. This will reduce the likelihood of accidents. 

Add Rugs

If you are still unsure about your tiles after using polyurethane paints and you don’t want to replace the floor, then consider adding mats to the slipperiest or most commonly used areas. They’ll need to be rubber-backed to ensure they don’t move while being walked on. 

It’s also a good idea to get washable ones, that will make it easier to keep your floor clean and reduce the risk of slips and falls. 

Replace IT

In most cases, replacing your tiled floor isn’t the best option. After all, there is no better flooring in kitchens and bathrooms. You can switch to carpet or laminate in other rooms. However, you should note that laminate can be just as slippery and carpet comes with a host of issues, especially if you have pets.

It is, therefore, best to coat your tiles with a polyurethane paint. This is quick and easy, and allows you to refresh your room while making it safer.