With a slippery surface it is easy to buy the wrong thing: there is one symptom and three causes. If algae are to blame, cleaning is enough - no anti-slip treatment needed.
Three causes, three responses
Green growth, algae, moss.
The commonest and the easiest. The slipperiness goes with the growth - you need a cleaner, not an anti-slip treatment.
A smooth finish on the material.
Polished granite, glazed tile. The material is smooth in itself and stops gripping when wet.
A layer applied earlier.
Wax, a coating or a gloss sealer can change how a surface grips.
First check whether it is algae
A simple test: wipe the wet surface with a finger where it is most slippery. If it leaves a greenish or black mark, that is biofilm rather than the material. The right move then is a green growth remover, not an anti-slip treatment.
Shaded areas and places water does not drain from are the worst affected. If the green growth comes back every season, the cause is often the drainage - alongside regular cleaning, improve the run-off, because a preparation alone will not solve that permanently.
How to tell what you are dealing with
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Slippery only after rain, in shade | Algae and biofilm | Green growth remover |
| A greenish mark when wiped | Biofilm | Clean it, then reassess |
| Always slippery when wet, surface clean | Smooth material finish | Anti-slip treatment |
| Became slippery after sealing or waxing | The applied layer | Check the technical data of the preparation used |
Anti-slip treatments - which to choose
For smooth tiles and stone, excellent choices are R-9C for ceramic tiles and R-9G for granite and gneiss from CTS Chemistry. For tiles, stone and concrete alike, the versatile option is Guard Slip Resistant from Guard Industry.
Polish'Guard works differently - it is an anti-slip floor wax that forms a wearing layer on the surface rather than penetrating the material.
Anti-slip treatments
Four proven treatments for tiles, stone and concrete.
StandardAnti-slip treatment for granite and gneiss tiles R-9G CTS Chemistry
59,90 zł
59,90 zł/L≈ 9,22 zł/m²
StandardAnti-slip treatment for ceramic and porcelain tiles R-9C CTS Chemistry
59,90 zł
59,90 zł/L≈ 11,98 zł/m²
PremiumAnti-slip floor wax - Polish’Guard
899,00 zł
179,80 zł/L
PremiumAnti-slip treatment for tiles, stone and concrete - Guard Slip Resistant
199,00 zł
259,80 zł/L≈ 28,87 zł/m²
Common questions
Will an anti-slip treatment change how the tiles look?
It can change the sheen: some products work by micro-etching the surface. Before using one on a visible surface, test it on a small, inconspicuous patch.
Does it work on block paving?
Usually it is not needed there. Concrete paving is generally rough and rarely slippery when dry - the problem is most often biofilm, which a green growth remover will clear. If you still want an anti-slip treatment, make sure paving is on its list of substrates.
How long does it last?
It depends on the type of product. Layered ones such as wax are renewed as part of regular floor maintenance; for the others, the product description gives how long they work.
Can a sealer make a surface more slippery?
Yes, it can. Gloss-forming preparations change the surface, and that can affect grip. If the surface is somewhere slipperiness matters, check this before buying, not after.
