Just renovated an older deck attached to my house (cedar floor with PT posts and stairs).
New stair treads are really slippery.
I was considering routing grooves with a V or round bit for traction.
Before I do it and possibly regret it, I’d like suggestions as well as reasons if possible.
Someone at work suggested adhesive strips.
I’m in the Northeast so snow and ice are a problem November through March.
Thanks!
Replies
Stay away from the deck in winter? Perish the thought!
Grooves wont help, they'll freeze up..strips of sticky tape will stick to the snowshovel..
So , put a roof over it and be safe. Preferably copper.
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How many treads? Consider replacing with roughsawn cedar? Maybe the look wouldn't work for you, but the unplaned surface tends to offer traction even when wet.
Snow and ice, forget it, anything's going to be treacherous.
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They are new treads, prefer to make them work, but I'll keep it in mind if nothing else works.
Thanks...
Tack down pieces of granulated roll roofing cut to the size of the treads.
Make sure your handrail is good and solid, grippable, and on both sides of the steps.
Wouldn't look so good, but might be really effective for the winter only.
Thanks...
There is a product you can add to a clear coat that is like sand, it gives you traction.
Sorry I don't remember the name but a good paint or safety supply store will have it.
Have a good day
Cliffy
I will look for it
Thanks...
Have you pressure washed those treads yet? I recently bought a pressure washer and am amazed at how well it cleaned our deck. Our cedar deck gets so slick you can barely walk on it every fall as the early rains bring the oils to the surface. Spent an hour with the pressure washer and it's like good tennis shoes on a gym floor...well almost that good.
Can't stay away from deck in winter...it's the only way to let the dog into the yard-out the sliders down the stairs, to the yard.
Roof would be nice, I'm not much of a roofer though.
I used a friends pressure washer, but it wasn't strong enough to remove theold redwood stain that was on the cedar. SO I rented a big one which took the stain off. It also raised the grain pretty bad, so I sanded the whole deck. Came out really well. I coated it with Olympic Maximum Cedar. Stair treads are really the only problem.
Thanks.
I think you have two options:
1) Some sort of coating with a granular substance in it (like very fine sand). Here is a link for one such product:
http://www.safetycoatings.com/safe_step.htm
Any paint store will sell you an additive that can be used with paint (and I would think any clear coat product too). It is not sand, but very much like it. I have used it in an application like yours, and it works very well.
2) 3M and other companies make pressure sensitive tapes in various widths just for this purpose. They are formulated for exterior use, and stand up well to snow, ice (and shoveling). I have used these too, and they are very durable. Here is a link to get you started:
http://www.safetycoatings.com/safe_step.htm
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I will look at both
Thanks.