A very commonly asked question is: ‘Are porcelain pavers slippery?’ Of course, the response is likely to be ‘Relative to what?”. So perhaps it’s best to delve into technical specifications.
Porcelain Pavers
All manufacturers of porcelain pavers will test their products to check they comply with relevant standards in the country of manufacture and/or the country in which they are sold. In the USA, this generally means checking for compliance with slip resistance standards established by the ceramics industry – ANSI A326.3 American National Standard Test Method for Measuring Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) of Hard Surface Flooring Materials. This test requires non-slip pavers to achieve a rating of >0.40 on DM236/89 B.C.R.A. DCOF.
However, if required for a specific application, this DCOF can be increased to 0.87 or greater by applying a mildly acidic anti-slip solution that slightly etches the surface, allowing for an increased suction effect between the paver and bottom of shoes when downward pressure is applied. This treatment can be effective for increasing the DCOF of dry and wet porcelain pavers but is ineffective when covered with snow or ice, so under such conditions, even non-slip pavers can become slippery.
It’s very important however that you carefully test any etching product on an inconspicuous part of you deck surface first as some etching products can be too severe and could damage the surface, dull the color or produce a milky haze on the surface.
One suggested product to try is as follows:
CoverTech ‘GripTreat’
CoverTec ‘GripTreat’ contains a blend of mild acids that when applied on porcelain pavers, can produce Wet DCOF test results of 0.87 – 1.0.
Higher DCOF can be achieved with a second treatment of ‘GripTreat’.
Low odor ‘GripTreat’ is UV resistant, cannot be detected on paver surface and will not cause discoloration. A single application should last 3-5 years depending on the level of foot traffic and cleaning and maintenance methods. Routine cleaning with CoverTec ‘Emerald Floor Maintainer and Cleaner’ or similar products ensures the etched openings on paver surface remain free of dirt and grease, allowing for the suction effect to occur.
After cleaning pavers with CoverTec ‘SurfaceClean’ and letting them air dry, ‘GripTreat’ takes just 8-10 minutes to complete the etching process when applied between 40-100 deg F. ‘SurfaceClean’ is applied again to neutralize GripTreat and stop the etching process, and once pavers are flushed with clean water they are ready for foot traffic in an hour or less.
1 gallon of ‘GripTreat’ will cover approximately 400-600 sq ft.
Do you know what is even better than charts and links? Talking to an actual expert. Reach out to one of our paver experts to discuss your next project.
Jim might be one of the first people you talk to when you call Archatrak. He brings hands-on experience in construction, having built homes start to finish designed for harsh winter climates. Jim also has 17 years of experience running his own successful business and enjoys applying his strong customer service values when people call in need of deck and paver system solutions.
With his three kids now out of high school, Jim is enjoying even more time for his recreational hobbies, including floating on the many local rivers, mountain biking, and searching for powder to ski in the beautiful mountains and wilderness areas of southwest Montana.
Alex is an Air Force veteran, Cincinnati Bengals fan, and Ohio University alumnus with an extensive background in account management and marketing. After working in Chicago for eight years, he successfully ran his own business for several years before settling in the Big Sky State.
Beyond hardscape products and paver support systems, Alex has a wide range of interests. Skiing, hiking, and hunting make him a natural fit for the Montana lifestyle, but when you’re on the phone with him, you might just find yourself chatting about the latest vintage motorcycle he’s building.
Jonathan has had the joy of assisting clients and managing businesses across the globe throughout a career spanning multiple sectors, including nonprofit, international sales, import/export, the travel industry, concierge services, and cost-reduction consulting.
After living five years in Southern Asia and eleven years in Paris, France, Jonathan moved to Bozeman, Montana where he enjoys taking advantage of the great outdoors through snowboarding, cross-country skiing, hiking, and camping. He and his wife continue to scour the earth for a copy of the rare manuscript, How To Raise Teenagers.
Tyson is an Air Force veteran and a graduate of the College of Southern Idaho and the University of Phoenix. For the past 20 years, he has worked in all aspects of wholesale electrical distribution, from counter sales to branch management and everything in between. Through that experience, he developed strong customer service skills and a solution-driven attitude.
When he isn’t helping customers find deck and paver system solutions, Tyson enjoys live music, hiking, fishing, traveling, and getting behind the handlebars of a dirt bike. Everything he loves to do is even better when he gets to share it with his wife, children, and granddaughter.
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