While stamped concrete can give businesses an eye-catching entrance, it can also be a potential hazard for anyone entering and leaving the building. Since a lawsuit resulting from someone slipping and falling on your decorative concrete can make your business look bad, it’s important to take steps toward making these surfaces more slip-resistant. Lowering the risk of falls also helps your business stay out of costly lawsuits that can take a steep financial toll on your company.

Use a Nonskid Coating

Applying a nonskid additive or coating along with a concrete sealer can help prevent falls on stamped concrete. There are a few different options for this, including the following:

• Applying aluminum oxide and sealer, then back rolling
• Adding a nonskid material, such as resin sand, to the sealer before applying it
• Adding silica to the sealer

Keep in mind that you should apply sealer in thin layers rather than thick ones, as the latter can make concrete surfaces more slippery.

Consider Foot Traffic

Knowing the kinds of foot traffic that the concrete will be subjected to helps determine what type of texture and finish to use. Areas that have heavy foot traffic throughout the day might need a texture that’s durable enough to handle constant wear and tear. Otherwise, the texture will become smoother, leaving you with a slippery surface. 

Time It Right

Making decorative concrete slip-resistant involves getting the timing right when applying it. Ideally, your project should be done early in the day before it gets hot out, especially during the summer months. This gives you a chance to stamp the concrete before it has a chance to set. You can also use set retarders, which provide you with more time to stamp the surface before the concrete sets. Getting the texture done right lowers the risk of having flaws in it that could make it easier for someone to slip and fall. 

Get the Job Done Right

If you’re a business owner who is considering hiring a concrete contractor to handle your stamped concrete project, make sure you hire a reliable one. A reputable contractor will know what needs to be done in order to make your decorative concrete as slip-resistant as possible. This also helps ensure that the project is done right, which lowers the risk of ending up with a slippery concrete surface.