Are Concrete Polished Floors Slippery? Expert Advice From a Polishing Pro

Are Polished Concrete Floors Slippery? The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

When considering polished concrete floors, one of the biggest concerns clients have is whether the smooth surface will be slippery and pose a slip hazard - especially in wet or high traffic areas. It's an understandable worry since concrete is such a hard material.

However, as an experienced professional concrete polishing contractor, I can confidently say that when done properly, polished concrete actually provides incredible traction and slip resistance that meets or exceeds safety standards. In fact, it often outperforms other flooring options like vinyl, tile, or coatings when it comes to preventing slips and falls.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll dive into the details of what goes into creating safe, non-slip polished concrete floors that look stunning while giving you peace of mind. We'll cover:

• Understanding coefficient of friction and safety standards

• Dialing in the perfect polished concrete grit level

• The importance of densifying for maximum traction

• Extreme slip resistance options for wet areas

• Proper cleaning and maintenance procedures

Let's get started!

Understanding Coefficient of Friction & Safety Standards

The slipperiness of a walking surface is measured scientifically by its coefficient of friction (COF), which refers to the ratio of friction to force needed to keep an object moving across that surface. A higher COF indicates more friction/traction and less slipperiness.

While requirements can vary by local codes and industry, most safety organizations recommend the following COF levels for floors:

• Dry Floors: Minimum 0.6 COF

• Wet Floors: Minimum 0.8 COF

Having a coefficient of friction at or above these thresholds is considered safe and slip-resistant. Anything much below puts floors at risk of becoming hazardous, especially when wet.

Dialing In the Perfect Polished Concrete Grit Level

One of the biggest factors that impacts the coefficient of friction and slip resistance of polished concrete floors is the grit level achieved during the polishing process. If the floor is ground and polished too smoothly and densely, it can start to approach the slipperiness of ice. However, an experienced concrete polishing contractor knows exactly where to stop the polishing to leave just the right amount of texture and grit exposure to maximize traction.

For most residential polished concrete floors and lighter traffic commercial spaces, we typically polish to around an 800 grit resin pad. This leaves the floor with a smooth, flat finish that has a matte look and easily grippable texture underfoot - akin to the feel of an unpolished concrete sidewalk. This grit level achieves coefficients of friction in the 0.6-0.7 range when dry, meeting standards.

In areas with heavier foot traffic, equipment roll loads, or exposure to moisture/spills, we increase the grit level further. Polishing to a 400 or even 200 grit pad leaves more of the actual concrete sand exposed and increases the surface texture and grip. This allows us to achieve coefficients in the 0.8-0.9 range or higher even when wet.

For reference, most typical commercial ceramic or quarry tiled floors only have a 0.6 COF when wet. So a 200 or 400 grit polished concrete offers far superior slip resistance in wet conditions like pool decks, commercial bathrooms, or industrial workspaces that see frequent spills or wash-downs.

The Critical Importance of Densifying

After achieving the target grit level through dry polishing, the next crucial step is chemically densifying the concrete surface through the application of a premium silicate densifier product. This densifier uses chemical compounds like lithium silicates that penetrate into the concrete and react, filling in pores and essentially "vitrifying" and hardening the surface.

This densification process not only tremendously increases the concrete's hardness and resistance to staining or deterioration, it also eliminates any remaining porosity or microscopic holes that could allow moisture absorption - a major factor in slippery floors. A properly densified polished concrete surface remains completely dry and non-absorbent no matter how much water or liquid is on top of it.

But densifiers also play an additional important role in enhancing traction and minimizing slip risks. Quality densifier formulas contain proprietary additive compounds that increase the coefficient of friction even further beyond what the polish alone can provide.

At United Concrete, we use a top-tier densifier that is certified by the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) as providing "High Traction" and achieving a 0.8+ static coefficient of friction on level interior surfaces - meaning it exceeds slip resistance standards for wet floors right out of the gate. So when combined with the correct grit level polish, this densifier allows us to create floors that won't become slippery even in continually wet conditions like pool decks or industrial washdown areas.

Extreme Slip Resistance Options for Wet Areas

For areas with essentially constant moisture exposure and an extremely high risk of slip and fall incidents, such as commercial kitchen floors or certified food production facilities, we have additional options to absolutely maximize traction. This typically involves combining several key steps:

1. A very aggressive grit polish, often stopping at a rough 100 or 120 grit resin pad to really maximize surface texture.

2. Applying a specialized anti-slip densifier treatment containing aluminum oxide particles that get embedded into the concrete surface further increasing grip.

3. Finishing with a clear non-skid coating or sealer containing a polymer grit or aggregate for even more texture and skid resistance.

Aluminum Oxide Non-Slip Polish

While these types of finishes create an extremely rugged and "flat" appearance without the typical polished sheen, they are designed for industrial areas prioritizing safety over aesthetics. Properly prepped and finished with silicate and grit treatments, these types of floors can achieve truly incredible static coefficients of friction in the 1.2+ range - significantly outperforming sheet goods like vinyl or ceramic tiles in terms of wet slip resistance.

The Importance of Proper Cleaning & Maintenance

Even after all of the proper polish grit, densification, and potential anti-slip treatments, it's critical that facility owners and cleaning crews understand the importance of proper cleaning and maintenance procedures to retain the floor's maximum coefficient of friction and slip resistance over time.

While densified polished concrete is incredibly dense and non-porous, it's still possible for grime, oils, dust and other contaminants to build up on the surface over time if not cleaned properly. This buildup creates a thin film that can start to decrease friction regardless of the floor's initial grip.

To prevent this, we recommend:

1. Using a neutral pH floor cleaner specifically formulated for polished concrete at least weekly. Many conventional cleaners can actually promote buildup.

2. Periodically using a light grit or looped polishing pad under a low-speed buffer to help restore the mechanical texture and grit exposure of the surface.

3. Having floors fully re-polished and re-densified every 2-3 years to completely renovate the surface and treat any areas of wear.

Cleaning Polished Concrete

Following these steps is crucial to maintaining optimal slip resistance, preventing falls, and protecting the substantial investment in a professional polished concrete floor over its lifetime.

The Clear Safety Advantages of Polished Concrete

So in summary, when properly installed and maintained by an experienced professional, polished concrete floors absolutely can provide a safe, slip-resistant walking surface that meets or exceeds safety standards and recommendations - even outperforming many other flooring options like tile, vinyl, or coatings when it comes to wet conditions.

By precisely dialing in the ideal grit level for the specific area's needs, using quality densifier treatments proven to enhance coefficient of friction, and implementing additional texture/grip treatments where necessary for extreme conditions, we're able to create beautiful yet exceptionally secure floors tailored to any facility.

Still have concerns about slipperiness? As a leading polished concrete contractor, I'm always happy to discuss your project needs and provide more details. Feel free to contact me directly!