How to Make Stairs Anti-Slip

Wooden Outdoor Stairs

• 1

  Measure the going of the tread of the outdoor stairs. Divide the number by two to find the middle of the tread and mark the middle of the tread lengthwise with a pencil.

• 2

  Divide the front half of the tread into three lengthwise sections. Draw a line, 1 foot long, centered, on each of the three lengthwise section markings.

• 3

  Run the router along these three lines making grooves in the tread. These grooves will provide traction during rain or snow.

• 4

  Cut these three grooves in all the treads of the home's outdoor stairs.

Metal Outdoor Stairs

• 5

  Mix 2 cups of paint with 1/2 cup sand using a paint stirring stick in a small paint bucket.

• 6

  Measure the going of the tread of the metal stairs. Divide the number by two, finding the middle of the tread, and mark the middle of the tread lengthwise with a pencil.

• 7

  Paint the half of the tread closest to the nosing of the metal stairs with the paint and sand mixture. This mixture works in the same way as a sandpaper safety strip because the texture provides grip for the soles of the shoes. Allow the paint mixture to dry before using the stairs.

Carpeted Indoor Stairs

• 8

  Measure the going of the tread of the indoor carpeted stairs. Divide the number by two, finding the middle of the tread, and place a bulbed sewing pin at the halfway point.

• 9

  Cut a 1-foot-by-2-inch strip of safety tread from a roll of safety tread. Place the strip on the stair at the pin.

• 10

  Pound the strip into the carpet with a hammer and 1/2-inch wood tacks in each corner and the middle.