Last Updated: October 21, 2022
Who would imagine how there could be a possible danger when taking a bath. After all, it's one place in our home where we could have an alone time and relax after a day's hard work.
Nonetheless...
What most of us are unaware of is that bathroom injuries are prevalent. Often that not, these accidents are due to slippery surfaces. Hence, if you're on this page looking for effective non-slip tub solutions, then please keep reading.
Find out more about how to increase your loved ones' safety and prevent such hazards from happening to you or anyone you love at home.
Top Bathroom-Related Injuries
You might be caught in disbelief, thinking how a small room can readily become a dangerous place in our home. But we all know how accidents such as slipping to the floor can either cause too much damage or, worst, turn fatal.
That is especially true; especially when it happens to our beloved senior adults since they already have frail bones. Kids below five years old are also prone to such injuries.
So, before we get into different ways of how to fix a slippery tub, let's check the most common bathroom injuries:
- Slipping in the tub or shower area
- Falling while using the toilet
- Fainting
- Tripping
- Children drowning from the tub
- Burns and scalds from hot water
- Deep cuts
- Broken bones
- Bumps and bruises
- Concussions
The Most Common Culprit In Bathroom Accidents
Here are some of the top causes of these bathroom-related accidents:
- The deadly combination of a smooth surface and moisture
- Throw rugs that keep getting out of place
- Soap residue
- Molds inside ductwork, under floors, or behind walls and ceilings
- Leaking pipes and faucets
- Poorly fitting showers
- Overflowing water due to a clogged toilet, tub drain, or sink
- Broken tiles
Practical Slippery Bathtub Solutions
Becoming fully aware of the most common injuries in the bathroom and what causes them is only the first step. The most crucial part is coming up with non-slip tub solutions to help you prevent such mishaps.
The following are foolproof ways how you can make this happen:
Prevent Mold Buildups
You will mostly notice mold growth along caulk lines or in between the tiles. However, they can also grow even in spaces out-of-our-sight, like under the floor or behind walls. Bathroom molds are likely to happen due to humidity, either from a steamy shower or warm water from the sink.
Therefore, ensuring proper ventilation like utilizing humidifiers, open windows, and exhaust fans are among our list of slippery bathtub solutions. You can try using a fan while showering or if you don't have one in your bathroom, just keep your windows open.
Add Traction To The Flooring
Most bathtubs or their surrounding areas have a slick surface as part of the design. You can reduce the chances of slipping in your bathroom by installing some shower floor grips.
Some examples of this floor grip are non-abrasive tapes or adhesive treads that are very convenient since they typically come ready to use. To install, simply peel the strip and install it as the perfect fix to a slippery tub.
Use Slip-Resistant Bath Mats
Another effective way of adding traction to your bathroom floor is by utilizing anti-slip mats. It's among the inexpensive non-slip tub solutions that require no other tools to install. These mats are essential accessories since they work so well in preventing any mishaps in the bathroom.
Nowadays, you'd probably see different styles of bath mats, but most have suction cups or rubber backing underneath.
I'm sure you'd also appreciate the versatility these mats can offer; you can use them in your tub, shower area, or under the sink. You also have the option of using an existing rug and install some Velco strips under it. You can try doing this in case you still don't have a non-slip bath mat.
Rails Or Grab Bar Installation In Your Bathtub Or Shower Area
Handholds such as rails and bathtub grab bars placement are also practical slippery bathtub solutions you shouldn't miss. Adding handholds is a brilliant way of taking steps toward fall prevention since they are crucial tools for enhancing bathroom safety.
You can install a rail or best shower grab bars near the tub or the toilet seat to make getting in and out safer.
Keep Your Bathroom Surroundings Clean And Dry
I understand how it could be tempting to use the most potent cleaning agents in handling stubborn dirt in your bathroom. Nevertheless, we should try to stay away from toxic cleaning products that can cause skin and eye irritation.
Begin with regular cleaning of your bathtub or bathroom floor with natural formulas like vinegar and baking soda. To see more of how it gets done, you may take a short moment to watch this video:
You should scrub shower areas, tubs, walls, and floors more frequently since accumulated soap residues and condensation buildup can leave surfaces slippery.
Prevent hairball buildup because, aside from being unsightly, it can cause clogged drains and eventually lead to an overflow of water. Using a drain protector may not be a hundred percent effective, but at least not all hair you shed from bathing will go down the drain.
Make Bathroom Essentials Easily Accessible
Try installing a bathroom caddy near the showerhead to avoid accidents caused by reaching for bathroom essentials far from your reach. Having commonly-used items like shampoos, toiletries, and towels conveniently accessible can minimize the instances of tub slippage.
Apply Non-Slip Shower Floor Coating/Spray
Prevent your bathroom from becoming a place of dread because of a slippery accident waiting to happen by considering a non-slip formula. You will see such products online or in local stores in the form of a non-slip spray for bathtubs and showers. It could also be a liquid floor coating.
These solutions have a unique formulation that creates necessary traction on practically any surface to minimize the likelihood of slipping or falling. Non-slip floor coating or spray is easy to use, but it requires careful work compared to bath mats or treads strips.
Tile Replacement
There are times when you might need to consider installing new bathroom tiles that will be more stable for you to walk on. Besides bringing back vibrancy into your old bathroom, retiling also gives you the advantage of switching to non-slip options.
I honestly wouldn't resort to this option only to address the slippery concern unless my existing tiles are old and deserve a replacement.
But once fully decided, go for tiles that can provide you with extra grip underfoot. Most of these anti-slip tiles have a distinct resistance rating, with R13 as the highest rating you'd find. Such tiles are pricey, but it's all worth it for the safety it brings, and besides, it's for long-term use.
Utilize Shower Seats
Securing a bathing seat is likewise an excellent idea, especially if we have elderly adults' safety in mind. Standing too long while bathing can be troublesome for those with balance problems or individuals with limited mobility.
The best chairs for this specific purpose should have rubberized footing so they are less likely to slip. In addition, its seat should be stable and with a material that doesn't get slippery when wet because falling is highly detrimental for senior adults.
Install Easily Adjustable Or Handheld Showerheads
Equipping your bathroom with handheld or adjustable showerheads would be the last on our list in how to avoid slipping incidents while bathing.
Having an easily accessible showerhead would reduce the danger of slipping or hurting themselves when bathing. It is the best way to make every bathtime experience less challenging due to mobility issues, aging, or disability.
Senior Tip: Bathrooms are notorious for freak accidents and they choose no one, too. Avoiding them, though, is easy as long as you know what things are needed to make the bathroom a safe haven for cleansing and relaxation most especially for the elderly. Take this solution, for instance -- Best Bathtub Transfer Bench.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cleaning chemicals safe to use for slippery tubs?
There are far better ways of cleaning a slippery tub without using solutions with harsh chemicals. Using all-natural cleaning agents doesn't make it less effective, especially if you do it regularly.
Most experts and homeowners discourage the use of chemicals when cleaning your bathtub because of the safety risks. You may experience skin and eye irritation when using chemicals. Besides, some of these chemicals may cause more damage than good for several surfaces.
What makes tubs and shower floors slippery?
Many different reasons can cause bathtubs and shower areas to become slippery. Tubs and bathroom tiles constantly get wet when we shower or bathe; hence not having a regular cleaning schedule can cause mold and mildew buildup.
Shampoo and soap residues can make the surface more slippery than usual. Furthermore, floors lacking traction, like when you're not using slip-resistant tiles, are more likely to become slick when wet.
Some of the best materials that can increase the slip resistance of bathroom surfaces are, but are not limited to the following:
- Vinyl flooring
- Bamboo flooring
- Carpet flooring
- Natural stone flooring
- Rubber flooring
Do non-slip coatings in bathrooms work?
In the absence of using slip-resistant bathroom tiles, using non-slip coatings could be one of your practical solutions in avoiding bathroom-related accidents. The use of this special coating can help in increasing the friction level in slippery areas.
Areas where there's constantly water and moisture, are prone to becoming slippery. Hence, it is in such instances where a non-slip coating can come in very handy. It ensures an adequate grip when moving or walking around on a wet surface and reduces the risk of slipping or falling.
Conclusively, such floor coatings work effectively, and many of its users consider them valuable. You now have this option and many more solutions on how to fix a slippery tub. It means you have one less thing to worry about so you can now have peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to ensure safety from unexpected perils can give you a priceless sense of security. Now you can turn a hazard-risk area into a safety zone inside your home by considering the steps we covered in this article.
Aside from constantly monitoring elderly individuals while using the bathroom, it's also best to improve your home's safety features. Remember that bathroom falls can result in anything from broken bones to severe head traumas.
Consider all these preventive measures for your peace of mind, and I'm sure your backbones and your senior citizens at home will thank you for it.