Slippery Metal Steps

[bigalxyz]

There are some steps outside the front of my basement flat, leading up to street level. See attached photo. They get quite slippery when the weather is rainy. I suspect it's just that they're quite old and perhaps the raised zig zag type profile (don't know what its proper name is) is a bit worn & smooth.

Is there something I can do to improve the grip on these?

I don't want to replace the steps altogether because they're rock solid apart from this one problem.

Thank you.

 

[EddieM]

It's called checkerplate. You should be able to get an anti slip paint for them.

 

[bigalxyz]

Ahhhhhh thank you. I shall investigate...

 

[bigalxyz]

I checked out some anti slip paints online and they seem to need several days to fully harden. How would that work on these external steps? If I can’t climb the steps for a few days I’ll be a prisoner in my own home! Is there some way to get around it (like only painting part of each step the first time and then painting the rest later)?

 

[EddieM]

I checked out some anti slip paints online and they seem to need several days to fully harden. How would that work on these external steps? If I can’t climb the steps for a few days I’ll be a prisoner in my own home! Is there some way to get around it (like only painting part of each step the first time and then painting the rest later)?

Well if you're sprightly enough could you make do with painting ever other step, then painting the others after it's dried fully.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Investigate the grip paint they use on ship's decks, in a boat chandeliers. It uses sand mixed in with the paint, to provide the grip.

 

[Tigercubrider]

also, wait until summer if you can?
clean the steps well first. Take advice on aluminium cleaner and primer from the paint company

 

[Nige F]

Investigate the grip paint they use on ship's decks, in a boat chandeliers. It uses sand mixed in with the paint, to provide the grip.

Watco make paint simlar - epoxy resin + grit good stuff

 

[mikeey84]

I think you can get self adhesive material that is used on skateboards. That may work as a temporary solution until the weather improves enough for painting

 

[frutbunn]

Bear in mind its probably aluminium, in which case you will need an etch primer first.

 

[Captain Nemesis]

It's called checkerplate.

Chequer plate.

 

[Captain Nemesis]

I suspect it's just that they're quite old and perhaps the raised zig zag type profile (don't know what its proper name is) is a bit worn & smooth.

Metal.

Probably just as slippery the day it was installed

 

[frutbunn]

Metal.

Its only (or was only?) available in aluminium, it stopped being made in steel years ago, I knew someone who managed to find some old steel stock for originality to restore an old 50's car transporter.

 

[Captain Nemesis]

I think you can get self adhesive material that is used on skateboards. That may work as a temporary solution until the weather improves enough for painting

Temporary: Get a roll of chicken wire and wind lengths around each tread?

Permanent: Fix a strip of metal to the front of each tread to create a physical stop and put brick slips in.

 

[Captain Nemesis]

Its only (or was only?) available in aluminium,

Aluminium is metal.

I was making a point, not asking what metal it is.

It is metal - it will be slippery when wet and probably always was.