The Dangers of Flooring Surfaces

Every day, we spend at least an hour in the bathroom. That fact highlights the importance of spending some time to make your bathroom flooring not only functional but also safe. Many people do not realize that bathroom flooring can be very dangerous when wet. According to the National Safety Council, slips and falls are the single largest cause of Emergency Room visits. A high-risk environment can be created when a floor becomes wet, especially in an environment such as a bathroom which is subject to excess water. Because such risk exists, steps should be taken to ensure floors are treated to reduce risk of slips or falls.

A safer floor for your bathroom does not necessarily mean few types of flooring available to you. Most flooring surfaces can be treated to ensure slip and fall resistance despite texture and material choices. There are a variety of styles available in the market and to make the right choice you need to know the options available to you. Choosing your ideal flooring will also depend on the kind of look you want to give to your bathroom. Let’s discuss some of the types of bathroom flooring available so that you can match them with your preferences.

Marble Floors
Marble flooring has undoubtedly become very popular primarily because of its beauty. It has an elegant appearance and a generally tough resistant surface. Marble flooring, however, does run on the expensive side and while durable, its sheen does not hold up well in heavily trafficked areas. Moreover, its feel is generally harder and colder than other flooring options. Ultimately, marble floors can be extremely dangerous when wet, but there are solutions.

Quarry Floors
Quarry flooring is one of the most in-demand floor types due to its elegant appearance and durability. In addition to being durable, Quarry is relatively inexpensive, and easy to clean and maintain. Quarry tile is made of clay and usually has a rougher finish than most pressed out ceramic tiles. Because quarry is unglazed, it must be sealed to resist against stains and moisture. Predominant colors of quarry are earth shades of red and orange. Again, quarry floors can be a real hazard when wet.

Ceramic Floors
Ceramic floors have become one of the most popular choices for bathrooms just like other rooms in the house. Ceramic is long-lasting, comes in a wide variety of designs and stands up well to high traffic. Some downsides, however, are that ceramic is difficult to install, it is susceptible to chipping and cracking, and it is generally harder and cooler to the touch than other floor types. Additionally, ceramic tile is highly slippery when wet.

While each of the flooring types mentioned above has varying levels of moisture resistance, none of them are slip-resistant and pose a real danger when wet. As an alternative, you may also want to consider going for a surface treatment for your flooring to prevent it from being slippery. SURE STEP, a floor and tub treatment by Interlake Chemicals is an excellent solution.

No matter the material you choose for your bathroom flooring, it is important to remember that a wet floor presents a hazardous environment. To increase the safety of your bathroom, a surface treatment can be a life saver.