Concrete flooring is both cost-effective and hard-wearing, requiring little concrete repair, but without efficient anti-slip protection, you could be at risk of a bad fall this autumn or winter.

If you’ve got smooth concrete flooring or paving slabs, you’ll need to ensure that you install or prepare anti-slip protection, especially for high traffic areas that need to be used during icy spells. Here are some potential options to help you out.

Through the Autumn

While autumn brings us plenty of beautiful sights as the trees change from lush green canopies to rich colours of red, orange and brown, it also brings its fair share of blustery, damp days. Make sure to carry out these outdoor maintenance tips and keep your concrete flooring safe.

Brushing Away Leaves

As the trees shed their leaves you’ll soon find them anywhere and everywhere - in gardens, across roads and drives and strewn across paving. Make sure to regularly sweep or rake them up and remove them, either through composting or using your local garden waste collection service. Wet leaves, especially those that have already been trodden down, can become slippery, increasing the risk of a fall. A rubber rake is the best tool to use for the job to prevent damage to concrete surfaces from metal tines or brush heads.

Clear and Maintain Guttering

Gutters that aren’t cleared, along with misaligned or broken downspouts, can cause water to spill over onto surfaces. This can lead to an increased chance of icy or mossy surfaces which can cause slipping. If you are concerned about using a ladder at height, make sure to call in a professional service to do it for you to prevent accidents.

In the Winter

Winter brings icy spells and the nation wishing for a white Christmas, so when snow and ice do strike, you want to be prepared. While salt may be the popular choice, many people incorrectly lay salt down without clearing away the salt and water mixture which can quickly refreeze when the temperature drops. When placing salt down on concrete paving, wait for the snow and ice to melt and then brush away the remains with a soft or rubber bristle brush.

Placing Sand Down

Sand is a quicker method of providing an anti-slip surface and while it will need to be reapplied, it doesn’t require brushing away like rock salt and is less harmful to both the environment and your concrete surfaces.

We achieve our anti-slip surface when installing concrete flooring by drawing a soft brush across the uncured surface to provide grip in dry and wet conditions. If you require renovations to concrete flooring or concrete repair, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team on 01733 560362.