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Person Slipping without Anti Slip Treatment

How do I stop my shower tray from being slippery?

We all know that many accidents happen at home, but did you know that your shower tray could be one of the most dangerous surfaces in the house? The numerous soaps and shampoos combined with water can create a very slippery shower floor!

So, how do you combat this problem? If you’re wondering how to stop your shower tray from being slippery, you’re in the right place. By the time you’re finished reading this article, you’ll know exactly how to have a safe, enjoyable and slip-free shower!

We’ve got six quick and easy ways to fix your slippery shower floor, and we’ll go through the pros and cons of each one so you can choose the method that works best for you. For even more hints and tips on making your entire shower floor safer, don’t forget to check out our FAQ section below.

Want to know more? Just keep scrolling to find out how to avoid slipping in the shower!

What Makes A Shower Tray So Slippery?

You may not think of your shower or bathtub floor as an issue until you end up going head over heels while showering! Sadly, this means that lots of people end up having accidents in showers and bathtubs. In fact, the bathroom is probably the most hazardous room in the house.

This is especially true when shower floors are wet because they’re made from hard, smooth surfaces. This makes them easy to keep clean; they always look new because dirt can’t hold onto a smooth surface, and it can be wiped away effortlessly.

But, the problem with a surface like this is that when you’re standing in the shower, your feet don’t have anything to hold onto either, especially if there’s an accumulation of soap and water. This creates a very slippery surface, increasing your risk of having a fall.

Why Are Slippery Shower Floors Dangerous?

So why is a slippery shower floor so dangerous? Well, it’s a bit like standing on ice, and if you’ve ever tried that, you’ll know how easy it is to fall headfirst! In fact, getting in and out of the shower are the times where you’re most likely to fall because you’re in a less stable position.

What makes a wet shower floor even more dangerous is that you may not realise how slick the surface is. As a result, you may step into the shower quickly and without care, increasing the chance of falling.

Spillages in the bathroom can also be hazardous. Water leaks in the shower or excess water on the floor after a shower or bath can be an accident waiting to happen. These can be especially dangerous if you don’t notice them and you’re hurrying to get ready.

 

Ways To Stop your Shower Tray From Being Slippery

Although a slippery shower floor is indeed dangerous, there are lots of ways you can make them safer and dramatically reduce the chance of falls or accidents. Take a look at some of the methods we’ve listed below.

Apply an anti-slip coating

An anti-slip coating is a liquid-based formula that can be applied straight onto your shower floor to give it a permanent grip. These anti-slip formulas are ideal if you don’t want the hassle of cleaning a shower mat or dealing with a shower tread peeling up after a while.

Applying anti-slip formulas may look complicated, but they’re relatively straightforward to use. Although each formula product is different, the steps are usually as follows:

  • Clean the shower or bathtub floor and let it dry completely
  • Mark an area on the floor where you want to apply the coating. We recommend taping off the area where you usually stand.
  • Pour the coating into the marked off area.
  • Using a roller, spread the formula across the marked off portion and ensure it’s all even.
  • Allow the formula to dry for a few hours before taking a shower. Most formula brands recommend leaving it to dry for around 5 hours. It may look milky at first, but it will dry clear.

Pros

  • They’re inexpensive and easy to apply
  • They don’t need any maintenance
  • They provide excellent grip, and they don’t interfere with the aesthetic of your shower.
  • Unlike shower mats or treads, anti-slip formulas can be applied to any surface, even if they’re not perfectly smooth.

Cons

  • Unlike an anti-slip shower mat, formulas take more effort and are more time-consuming.
  • The coating may peel off if you use harsh chemicals or abrasive sponges to clean your shower. But, you can prevent this by only using gentle cleaners and regular sponges.

 Anti Slip Treatment Application

It can be applied to trays or baths and is solvent free and colourless solution.

The clear solution can also be applied to non slip shower trays to enhance their gripping abilities.

The Non Slip Kit Contains

  • Instruction Manual
  • Basic Coating “A”
  • Hardener “B”
  • Felt Roller
  • Promoter
  • Mixing Stick
  • Masking Tape
  • Two Safety Gloves

Upgrade to an anti-slip shower tray

Thanks to today’s modern anti-slip shower trays, a shower can be a relaxing enjoyment rather than the stressful and challenging chore of staying upright! Specially designed to prevent slips and falls, the ingenious technology that they incorporate gives your feet the grip they need to stay in place.

This is a must-have, especially if you have young children or elderly relatives using the shower to avoid losing balance and falling.

Pros

  • An anti-slip shower tray will offer a permanent and effective solution to a slippery floor.
  • Lots of stylish designs to choose from that will suit most bathrooms.

Cons

  • May be expensive
  • It will take longer to install than other methods

Add a shower mat

One of the easiest and most common ways of making your shower floor safer is to install an anti-slip shower mat. Shower mats are affordable, easy to fit and offer immediate grip on a slippery shower floor.

Although they don’t eliminate the risk of falling completely, the additional grip shower mats provide will dramatically reduce the chance of you falling headfirst in the shower!

These mats are usually constructed from PVC, plastic, or vinyl and feature suction cups on the bottom that stick to the floor and prevent it from sliding. The great thing about shower mats is that they are available in all shapes and sizes. So whichever type of shower you have, you’ll be able to find a mat to fit it.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly and easy to install
  • Quick solution for a slippery shower
  • They’re available in a range of shapes and sizes, so they’ll suit every shower, whether you have an enclosure or a walk-in shower.

Cons

  • Soap scum and moisture can get trapped underneath the mat. This can linger and affect the suction cups that keep the shower mat in place.
  • The mat may slide around when you step on it, but this will only happen if you install it incorrectly.

Install a grab bar

If you’d like a more permanent solution and you have the time, installing a grab bar may be a good idea. Even better, you could use the bar in conjunction with any other methods on our list, as you can never be too cautious when it comes to preventing shower falls or accidents.

Although grab bars do take a bit more time and effort to install compared to other methods, they do provide something very sturdy to hold onto if you trip or lose your balance. Some grab bars are installed using suction cups on the back, whereas others can be screwed into the shower wall.

Suction cups are much easier and quicker to fit, but a grab bar that screws into the wall is more stable. Lots of manufacturers make grab bars, and although some of them aren’t the most attractive feature, some of them do have stylish designs.

They’re usually available in plastic, chic chrome, and other materials, so you’ll be able to find one that suits your bathroom. Additionally, grab bars are highly recommended in homes belonging to older adults.

Pros

  • One of the most effective methods for smooth surfaces such as a shower floor
  • They’re heavy-duty and provide great stability
  • Lots of different designs to choose from

Cons

  • They are more time consuming to install
  • They can’t be installed on bathroom tiles as they won’t stick
  • They can only be fitted onto flat, smooth surfaces

Put down anti-slip adhesive treads

If you don’t want to have the added chore of cleaning a shower mat every week, or if you want a more subtle solution, you can add grip to your shower floor by fitting anti-slip adhesive treads.

These treads are usually fitted onto stairs to prevent slipping, but there are treads designed especially for shower floors. Anti-slip adhesive treads are small pieces of tape that adhere to the floor with a rougher top that provides traction for your feet.

There are lots of advantages to using anti-slip adhesive treads on your shower floor. For one, they improve traction immediately, which is key to preventing slips and falls.

They’re quick and simple to install, and they’re affordable and barely noticeable. Even better, they don’t need to be removed and cleaned every week since they stick firmly to the floor.

Pros

  • They’re affordable and easy to fit
  • Once they’re fitted you don’t need to remove them
  • They’re barely noticeable, so they won’t ruin the aesthetic of your shower.

Cons

  • They may start to peel off if you don’t install them properly
  • The tread surface may be a bit rough and uncomfortable, but the material varies between manufacturers, so be sure to shop around.

Add a shower seat

If you tend to feel unsteady on your feet when standing for a long time, a shower seat can be the perfect tool for preventing accidents. A shower seat is essentially a waterproof chair. They’re designed to be used in bathrooms, so they’re perfect for a slippery bathtub or shower floor.

The seat typically has a horseshoe-shaped hole so you can easily wash when seated. Although it’s called a shower seat, it’s very versatile and can be used around the bathroom. The seat and chair height mean it can be used over the toilet if required. It allows people with limited mobility to go to the toilet comfortably and easily.

Pros

  • Makes showering easier for those with mobility problems
  • Doesn’t require any installation
  • The specially designed shape allows you to take a shower effortlessly.

Cons

  • They’re not very aesthetically pleasing.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, not only is the bathroom one of the most used rooms in the house, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. But, it doesn’t have to be. As shown in this guide, there are many anti-slip methods, from shower mats to a grab bar, but which one you use entirely depends on your needs.

Ultimately, anyone who uses a shower with a slippery floor is at risk of falling. However, this is especially true when older people or children use the shower as these age groups have less balance than young adults. Whatever your age, you must choose a suitable anti-slip method to prevent nasty accidents.

An additional method for combating a slippery shower floor is regular cleaning. It’s an easy and affordable way of keeping your shower less slippery. If you can spare the time to give your shower floor a regular clean, it will stay free from moisture which is one of the main culprits of slippery shower floors and other wet surfaces.

Hopefully, this guide has given you some inspiration and ideas on how to shower safely using a combination of the methods listed!

FAQs

Which hair products make a shower the slippiest?

It’s safe to say that most people use some form of hair product when they shower. Shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks are essential shower items for many people’s routines. Unfortunately, these staple items can create a very slippery surface.

The residue from soaps, shampoos, and shower gels can form mildew and soap scum, creating a very slippery surface. Although you may make an effort to clean the shower doors or even the walls, it’s easy to forget about the floor; after all, it gets a thorough clean every time you take a shower, right?

Sadly, no. This soap scum and mildew builds up over time and makes your shower floor very hazardous! Even worse, these substances can be very difficult to remove, especially if they’ve been left to build up over time.

One of the worst products for making your shower floor slippery is hair conditioner. By nature, conditioners are moisturising, so it’s no wonder they make floors so slippery! The best way to prevent this is to clean any soap residue away as soon as possible, so it doesn’t have a chance to build up.

Is an anti-slip shower tray worth it?

In short, yes, anti-slip shower trays are more than worth it. If you’ve ever had a fall or slipped in the shower, you’ll know how scary it can be. A non-slip shower tray means you won’t have to worry about falling in the shower or having to step gingerly in and out of it!

What’s more, with today’s innovative designs, you can find some very aesthetically pleasing trays that are good looking as well as being functional. They also come in lots of different shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that fits your shower enclosure.

If you decide to install a new shower tray and you want even more grip, you could combine it with a shower mat for an even more non-slip shower floor!

What’s the best anti-slip treatment for my shower floor?

Although all of the anti-slip methods on our list are effective ways of making your shower safer, some of them may be more suitable for you than others. For example, if you lead a very busy life, taking the time to install a grab bar may not be doable.

If that’s the case, a quick and easy method such as an anti-slip shower mat or shower treads may be the answer. On the other hand, if you want to make your shower floor super grippy, using a few different methods together is your best bet.

Lastly, if you or another household member has health problems such as dizziness or limited mobility, a shower seat may be the best option.

What’s the best shower mat?

If you start searching for shower mats, you’ll probably become inundated with options as there are so many available on the market. But which is best ultimately depends on your preference. If you don’t want the overall aesthetic of your bathroom to be ruined, opt for a mat that matches your decor.

Shower mats are typically available in every colour you can think of, so you’re sure to find one that matches perfectly with your bathroom’s colour scheme. For example, if your bathroom is a chic grey, pick a grey mat, so it blends in seamlessly.

You should also consider the material. Shower mats are usually made from rubber, vinyl, PVC, or plastic. But plastic can sometimes look rather cheap, so you may want to opt for a better-looking material such as rubber or vinyl in a colour that matches your bathroom!