Myth or Fact: Polished Concrete Is Slippery When Wet

The use of polished concrete floors has increased dramatically within the past several years. However, there is a common misconception that floors with shiny finishes are slippery and cannot be walked on without skidding. That’s not always the case. Polished concrete finishes may look as smooth as glass, but surprisingly, they are not slippery when wet.

If a commercial or industrial business needs anti-slip flooring, polished concrete is the way to go. In fact, the Concrete Polishing Association of America performed several studies years ago and determined that individuals walking on polished concrete floors will slip less often than those walking on almost any other type of flooring.

While polished cement floors do provide some traction in the face of the water, it is obviously inadvisable to leave standing water on the surface for prolonged periods. Furthermore, you can take practical measures that will improve the slip resistance of your polished concrete floors.

Tips for Improving Slip-Resistance of Polished Concrete

• Clean up any oil, grease, or water spills immediately. Follow a routine maintenance program as well.
• Apply an anti-slip conditioner. Anti-slip conditioners contain additives that improve traction and make wet surfaces safer. Although you have to apply anti-slip conditioners periodically, they can be mopped onto the floor’s surface during routine cleaning.
• Apply a sealer coat to your polished concrete floors that contain grit additives. Additives are mixed into the sealer before applying, thus increasing traction without compromising the appearance of the polished surface.
• Place rubber mats or area rugs in high traffic areas such as entryways.

Cleaning Is Essential

We cannot emphasize the importance of keeping your polished concrete floors clean. Contamination on floors is one of the leading contributors to trips, slips, and falls. In fact, a study performed by the United States government found that compared to a clean floor, dirty floors were 17 times more likely to cause a slip and fall accident. Even a properly prepared surface can be slippery (when it’s wet and when it’s not) if not adequately maintained.

If you’re looking to improve safety and aesthetics in your commercial or industrial setting, polished concrete floors might be just the thing. Our professional painters have decades of experience, and customer satisfaction is our top priority. That’s why we back all of our work with a written labor and materials guarantee. If anything goes wrong within a specified time period, one of our painting contractors will come out and fix the problem at no additional charge to you.

Lakeside is a residential, industrial, and commercial painting company that you can trust. Our industrial and commercial services extend throughout the Midwest, whereas we only offer residential painting services to those living in southeast Wisconsin. If you are interested in learning more about polished concrete floors or having them installed in your facility, give us a call, or fill out our online form to request a free and personalized estimate.