Slippery Concrete Solution

[nofishfisherman]

I bought a new house last summer and it has a good sized stamped concrete patio off of the deck in the backyard.  It looks great and we use it a lot but the problem is that is very slippery when wet.  This winter it was like an ice rink when it had a little snow on it and in the summer its really slick when it rains or if the kids run on it with bare feet after playing in the sprinkler or pool. 

 

I'm looking for solutions to reduce how slippery it is.  I've seen additives that I can add to the clear sealer that the old homeowner left for me (the cheap solution).  I've also see a product called Deck o Grip (the more expensive option) that looks to be a clear sealer that acts like a thin flexible rubber surface to prevent slips.  My concern with additives is that I don't want it to feel too rough on bare feet.  Most of the additives indicate you won't notice much but I'm wonder if that is true and if you don't notice anything does it really reduce slips that much? 

 

Does anyone have experience with sealers for stamped concrete that aren't so dang slippery?

[Hoey]

That is the drawback to stamped concrete.  Contractors that I have worked with, always ask, are you sure you want to do this, it will be slick.  The contractors add silica sand to the sealer.  IDK if they mix the sand with the sealer prior to application or after and roll it in.  It helps, but not a grippy as broomed concrete.  

[nofishfisherman]

I've seen a lot of options for things you can mix into the sealer before you roll it on.  I may start out going that route since I already have the sealer and the additives are cheap.  I've got a non visible area I can use as a test patch to see how it works.  I don't necessarily need it to be equal to a broomed concrete I'll settle for at least non-deadly. 

 

Hopefully i can figure out something, my wife hates how slippery it is and is threatening to have it all torn out (the really expensive option). 

[delcecchi]

This just occurred to me....  I have no idea if it would work..   Could it be sandblasted to roughen the surface and give more grip?         

[nofishfisherman]

This isn't my patio but its very close to what I have. I think sandblasting would likely ruin the texture and pattern.  I'd also have to reapply a clear sealer after sandblasting and the sealer is what makes it slippery. 

[leech~~]

2 hours ago, nofishfisherman said:

I've also see a product called Deck o Grip (the more expensive option) that looks to be a clear sealer that acts like a thin flexible rubber surface to prevent slips. 

 

If you think about this option I would try and look up some reviews. I would worry about it peeling or flaking off over time and having to keep re-coating it a lot. Bonding could be a big issue.

[Hoey]

Stamped concrete looks great, but not very functional and it requires maintenance too, like every couple of years or so.  

36 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

I would worry about it peeling or flaking off over time and having to keep re-coating it a lot.

....and how do you get the non-peeled, non-flaked area cleaned?  

[nofishfisherman]

I was looking for reviews last night but only found a handful and they didn't really give me that much info. They seemed to be overall positive reviews but all were written after recently applying it so no info on longevity. 

[delcecchi]

5 hours ago, nofishfisherman said:

This isn't my patio but its very close to what I have. I think sandblasting would likely ruin the texture and pattern.  I'd also have to reapply a clear sealer after sandblasting and the sealer is what makes it slippery. 

 

 

OK, then how about stripping the sealer if that is what makes it slippery.   After a few years it really isn't necessary, since the concrete is mostly cured by then (yeah it keeps curing for decades but most of it is done in a year or two).  

 

I guess if you like the glossy look then maybe the sand in the sealer thing is worth a try.

[leech~~]

Well not the most attractive option but when the kids are out playing in the sprinkler you could get a roll of nonslip pool matting to roll out then put in the garage during the fall-winter? 

[nofishfisherman]

The mats aren't the worst option and would make sense for those days when the kids are you playing in the pool/sprinkler.  I'd still need to find a solution that prevents me from killing myself when taking the dog out in the winter. 

 

I think my plan for now is to try one of the grip additives and test it out in an out of the way spot to see how it works.  If that looks promising I'll go that route and see how it goes. If that doesn't work then I'll look at other options. 

[leech~~]

3 hours ago, nofishfisherman said:

 I'd still need to find a solution that prevents me from killing myself when taking the dog out in the winter. 

 

 

Ha, that's easy. Move to Florida!

[trolloni]

their is a product called traction grip, mix it right in  concrete sealer , use a small paint mixer/portable drill  to mix it ,spray it on with cheap sprayer as you will throw the sprayer away when done ,it is made by solomon  colors co. under brickform  best part you will still retain the sheen of sealer but you  will not wipe out on it anymore.it can be found at contractor supply or a decent ready mix company

[nofishfisherman]

Thanks, I'll look into that.