Forum:

gear

Strips On Steps, to prevent falls.

Posts: 19

posted 2 years ago

10
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I would think that this the proper time of year for this idea.
Here is a couple of pics, of some metal strips I put on the back steps.
I found the strips at the local hardware store. They were made as shelf brackets, They have a "U" shape. I cut them in half and nailed them to the steps. They only go part way across the step so they are not a problem when it is dry. I have found that even when you sweep the step there can be a thin layer of ice. (ask me how I know) And one broken bone can ruin your whole day.

MetalStrips1.jpg

MetalStrips2.jpg

John C Daley

pollinator

Posts: 6197

Location: Bendigo , Australia

587

I like...

posted 2 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

There are aggressive strips I have seen around Australia.
but why not build ramps in stead of steps, would that help?

John Daley Bendigo, Australia The Enemy of progress is the hope of a perfect plan
Benefits of rainfall collection https://permies.com/t/88043/benefits-rainfall-collection
GOOD DEBT/ BAD DEBT https://permies.com/t/179218/mortgages-good-debt-bad-debt

John F Dean

master steward

Posts: 8750

Location: southern Illinois, USA

3631

I like...

posted 2 years ago

6
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hi John,

Ramps have their place. In most cases I have encountered, they are superior to steps. But, they can be limited by the degree of incline. Even with a sufficiently gradual slope, they can be downright exciting when covered in ice. Traction strips can help on a ramp, but they need to be sufficiently close together.

I figure if someone from the future hasn’t tried to stop me, I can’t be messing up that bad.

Anne Miller

steward

Posts: 19307

Location: USDA Zone 8a

4871

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

We have always used sand and paint.

I prefer John`s suggestion for ramps. Sand and paint work for both ramps and steps.

I know nothing about using metal strips. I guess if that is what you have then that is best.

I am an avoid trip locations so I would avoid metal strips. And rugs.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Tereza Okava

steward & manure connoisseur

Posts: 5291

Location: South of Capricorn

3285

I like...

posted 2 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hey Anne, do you use some sort of special paint with the sand, or will any paint do? We have always used those glue-on strips but they get pricey.

Anne Miller

steward

Posts: 19307

Location: USDA Zone 8a

4871

I like...

posted 2 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

As far as I know, any paint will work.

What we used was called porch paint and that is what we used the paint for, painting our porch.

So, I just asked dear hubby who said to use enamel because he did not think latex would work where someone walks.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Jane Mulberry

pollinator

Posts: 1165

Location: East of England/ Northeast Bulgaria

457

I like...

posted 2 years ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'm not sure what sort of paint it was, but in the past i've used pre-made non-slip paving paint - designed for painting concrete steps and with coarse sand already added. It was fine for the area I lived in then which didn't get long hard freezes. I'm not sure it would be enough of a solution for very icy steps that stay frozen.

I'm only 65! That's not to old to learn to be a permie, right?

Douglas Alpenstock

master pollinator

Posts: 5888

Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b

1723

posted 2 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Grip strips are not only for outside -- in our current house some fool (previous owner) installed a lot of smooth tile because "it's pretty, it's upscale!" Well it's also lethally slippery if there's the slightest bit of moisture, or if you're in stocking feet. Or getting out of the damn shower. So there are little rubber-backed carpets everywhere, which is practical because tile is really cold in the winter. And there is musician-grade gaffer tape on the steps, which I really should replace with industrial grip strips.

Kyle Hayward

pollinator

Posts: 207

Location: Oh-Hi-Oh to New Mexico (soon)

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I'd hate to walk those and fall down on those metal strips with my arm or head making contact.
You can buy tape that has gripping sand in it for just this reason. Falling on that would give you a burn but not slice you open.

Douglas Alpenstock

master pollinator

Posts: 5888

Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b

1723

posted 2 years ago

4
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I've seen a hardware cloth mesh used on stairs in parks in coastal areas where there's a lot of rainfall and moss/lichens make the stairs lethally slippery.

I don't mind the metal strips, but in snow/ice I think they will become a lot more slippery than the rest of the stair. Still, any sort of hard sill you can stomp down on is better than sailing away down the stairs.

Posts: 19

posted 2 years ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

They make self-adhesive "traction strips" that you can stick on the edge of stairs, but those quickly get frozen over. With the metal strips I can warm then with a hair dryer or heat gun and they quickly pop up to give you some grip.
A ramp covered in greasy-slick ice? Sounds like the next feature on America's Funniest Home Video.

John C Daley

pollinator

Posts: 6197

Location: Bendigo , Australia

587

I like...

posted 2 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

https://crocgrip.com/collections/aluminium-treads
and another special paint
https://www.directpaint.com.au/product/tredgrip/

Tredgrip-White-4lt-Front-Cropped.jpg

Quick! Before anybody notices! Cover it up with this tiny ad:

Escape to gardens and natural buildings (for free-ish) in Montana

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp