Help for the Slippery Tub and Shower
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
This is an article that I have wanted to write for so long, but I couldn’t. I wanted to share about a product that would make your bathtub non- slip, but I could not, there just was not a product that was for the Do It Yourselfer that was easy and safe to use. You can hire a professional company, but it is expensive, and it would be a continuing maintenance expense. I wanted something you could easily apply yourself. To give you a little history, we had a product at one time, and it was a perfect project for the Do It Yourselfer, but like some products-that have no family member to take over the helm, they just disappeared. Then about 3 years ago I found another product at the National Hardware Show, and it showed great promise. By the time I got home, to complete the order, they were gone. It was so frustrating. But then a customer called me a few weeks ago and that started a brand-new search.
Falling in the tub or shower is one of the main reasons for falls in the home. When you have ceramic or porcelain tile, add soap and water in a tub or shower it can be dangerous for someone that is not secure on their feet. And that is not just talking about your parents, young children and like me someone that is getting over a serious sprain. So, I was extremely interested in Slip Doctors. Slip Doctors is a big company that really tends to lend itself to commercial companies that treat flooring, tubs, and showers. But with talking to the representative Casey at the corporation in Texas, he helped me find just the right product.
There are 2 products I want to tell you about. Bathtub and Shower Kit is for a porcelain tub or ceramic tile in your shower. It comes with two small containers of product, a scrubby sponge, and a pair of gloves. The two containers can treat two tubs or one large shower. To treat your tub or shower, start with a clean surface and rinse thoroughly several times. You want to make sure that there is nothing on the surface that you are about to treat. Then cover up the drain, I used painters' tape because it lifts so easily and leaves no residue. Then I poured the container of treatment into the tub working to cover all the surface. Then with gloves on I pushed around the product over all the bottom of the tub and kept moving it around for about six minutes. They say four to eight, so I committed to somewhere in the middle. Then I removed the tape off the drain and rinsed off the product. And that was all I needed to do, the tub was now non-slip.
The other product is called Tub Grip. It is for fiberglass or acrylic tubs. We have never had a product for that type of surface, so I was thrilled that they had a separate product. They suggest lightly sanding the tub floor with a 220-grit sandpaper before application. Then clean and dry completely. There is only one bottle of product, and you will need to shake it for 5-10 seconds to activate. Pour half of the Tub Grip onto the surface of your tub or shower and use the included foam roller to spread the coating. Wait 20 minutes and then repeat the process (shake again) using the remaining product. And in this process, you will not rinse. You will need to let the coating cure for 24 hours. It will give a glossy finish that will enhance the natural appearance of the tub or shower.
Does that sound simple enough? I thought so. There are no fumes, and the coatings will last for a year. The treatment will not change the surface, will not yellow, does not feel rough, it will just make the surface slip resistant. So that when you step down- your foot will be secure.
I am putting it on our website, www.happyhandyman.com for your convenience. Call me if you have any questions 210-341-1573. I will be doing a video and will post it on the site to show you how easy it is to apply.
If you enjoy these tips, pick up “The Best of Johnnie Chuoke Vol. 14” for more home maintenance advice.