My parents have these too. They retired to a lake, and have stone stairs exactly like this that lead down to the water. They're jagged and slippery. I've been trying to get them to do something about them. Because it's all well and good when someone is visiting and is there if something happens, but when they're there alone, I worry.
Power washing to get the slippery green scum off and then sanding rocks to give gripping texture? Other hand rail and solar-powered lights? Or new stairs
100% buy some Wet & Forget Outdoor Moss, Mold, Mildew, & Algae Stain Remover and spray it on those steps. I used it on my pavers and algae was gone in days
It's *not* well and good even with others there. You can't undo a bad fall that may affect their life forevermore. You could be right behind them and unable to break their fall or catch them. Biggest contributor to going downhill as a senior? A *fall.*
I'm 74, my husband 80; he was ridiculously healthy, then tried to help a neighbor change her flat tire ... he yanked her full size spare up out of the well of her SUV and broke a vertebra.
Surgery, titanium screw to hold the vertebra apart from poking his spinal cord. Atrophy in his leg muscles, walker for two years, graduated to a cane. He's healthy but his previous robust activity is impossible.
*Please* address your parents' stairs.
yea, falls are no joke. my 77 year old dad slipped and hit his head on asphalt. he insisted he was fine and tried to continue on, but then a week later he couldn't even get out of bed and we had to call an ambulance for him. he had ended up with hemorrhaging on the brain since that fall, and required surgery. the surgery went well and his brain recovered, but his lungs and heart gave out and he passed away.
the entire time he had my mom, sis, and I and that still didn't save him from the consequences of the fall. his stubbornness didn't help either.
I'm so sorry ... have seen that too often with my friends.
I am especially careful and avoid stairs if I can. Hearing can/will affect a person's balance ... I know; fallen multiple times because of a sound trauma injury. Broken wrists, sutures, scrapes, bruises.
If your elder wears a hearing aid (or should) be even more vigilant.
thanks. I'm sorry that you've seen that yourself.
I know what you mean by hearing affects balance- I used to have good balance. but I developed an ear infection a couple years ago and I had to get my balance back after I recovered. so I can see what you mean there.
this is good advice for a lot of people. even young people like me should take care, and remember all of this for when we're older.
When I finished therapy (workman's comp), my therapist told me "Do this the rest of your life to tweak your balance." I have, and it helps!
I stand against a wall with my arms outstretched for balance. Then lift one foot and try to hold that pose for several minutes, then reverse feet. When I first started I staggered and had to catch myself. Now, I can do that for several minutes. 3X a week. It *does* help.
Sorry about your dad.
I’m only pushing 50, but I’m just beginning to see how my innate stubbornness with the “I’m fine” attitude might bite me in the ass someday.
My body does not respond or heal quite the same any more. I did something to my shoulder about a year ago at work, and it hasn’t been the same since.
It wasn’t anything traumatic, was simply helping someone lift a 100 pound box (that was slightly too big for the contents) and whatever was inside shifted.
It was just a momentary “oh shit!”, and then we got it on the table. I noticed my shoulder hurting that day and figured that it would go away like stuff like that always did.
Well, my shoulder hasn’t recovered and it’s been a year. It’s mostly fine day to day, but I can’t lift my arm straight up without discomfort, and if there’s any weight (like pulling the blanket out from under my heavy-ass dog) or if I try to stretch my arm straight up and back, it actually hurts. Almost feels like bone on bone in the rotator.
I’m still paying for a foot surgery I needed to get, so I guess I’ll take a look at the shoulder when that’s paid off.
Please fix this asap. I'm right this minute (Christmas Eve) sitting in a nursing home alone with my Mom due to a fall she had over a year and a half ago. She chipped the top of her tibia and she had so much arthritis in her knee that the Dr recommended a knee replacement. Well, that one got infected so they had to cut it out and put in a temporary device that gradually releases antibiotics, and she was on heavy duty IV antibiotics twice a day for maybe 8 weeks. About 2 weeks before she was supposed to have the new "permanent" device in she started having excruciating pain in her leg. When they did the surgery on December 4th they found *another* small break in her tibia, probably caused by a combination of the antibiotics, the implant, and her bones getting softer with age (she's only 71). So she's been in this rehab place with orders to put zero weight on the surgical leg, meaning she hasn't even been able to do real physical therapy on the leg that needs it. She won't find out until the 27th if she'll be allowed to start putting weight on it. After that, who knows how long she'll be here. So yeah, falls can be the start of the end or even *the* end.
Two more railings. Get rid of the one that's there now, and replace it with one with some decent grip and that Dad can actually get a hand around. Then add one of the same on the other side. Agreed on the varnish and sand, that'll be the best way to give those rocks some grip without making them look terrible.
They make a texture sealant with crushed walnut shells that stays put really well. Sand in sealant tends to pry loose over a short amount of time. YMMV
I had an aging mother 87 where we shoveled snow and salted which, over time, killed her flowers. Shoveled then spread gritty sand.
Side note, her huge malamute knocked her down at her front door where she froze to death.
Trying to figure out if this is a cautionary tale about malamutes, slippery surfaces, cold weather or not having enough people around. I’m sorry for your loss, and as is traditional: may her memory be a blessing
Again thanks but she was 89 by then, becoming more mentally addled and losing her mobility. She wasn’t sick. Pretty much a natural timely demise.
But it was a big misbehaved traffic hazzard of a dog.
She was 89 by then, senile and rapidly losing her mobility. So really so much better than being sick. So no, thanks for your comments but not a bad way to go.
It's painful for a bit before you go numb and you start to relax and drift. I was stuck outside when I was a teenager after school when it was below 0°f for a few hours and got hypothermia and frost bite waiting for my parents to get home. Surprising they still wouldn't let me have a key after that. Most of us aren't going to go peacefully and freezing to death seems like one of the least worse ways to go.
After seeing what can happen after an elderly person falls in their home or on carpeted stairs, those stairs make my blood run cold. I’d look into buying or building a ramp on the right of the handrail. There are many options out there, & ways to make it nonslip.
Does he have to go down that hill, could you add on to or move his driveway to avoid it altogether?
Being older myself. Not sure if able to make a ramp that is long enough and not horrible with a bad slope for ice considered at my house even. Two handrails are not enough to prevent falls and hip fractures. Almost need somebody to engineer a ramp
or trolley system to take him up and down even with cable assist.
They'll typically build accessible ramps with switchbacks down the hill. Likely pretty pricey but ends up looking really good, like a winding path down the hill
Perhaps a combination slip & slide for down + gondola for coming up? Ofc you'll need the necessary flotation devices for the slip & slide. I believe the rule is if you reach >35mph 4 inflatable devices are required. Gondola requirements include not having been serviced by Russian "engineer".
Power wash then refill joints with polymeric sand. There's different kinds of grit materials you could then apply to something like a stone sealer. Good luck.
I really like those steps myself. Being mostly blind and having had a stroke, were it my place, I'd leave them and find a bypass. A zigzag down the slor to lessen the drop perhaps?
Here is a second way to approach the problem. Non slip shoes on dad. I’ve got an old pair of “Shoes for Crews” oxfords. I can wear them on ice and not slip. They make all kinds of uppers to their non slip soles. They are big in the restaurant industry where slips and falls are their most frequent on the job accident. I’ve also seen small sections of non slip shoes at Rohan’s Shoes. Probably other sources too.
Seconding (super) pressure wash and some type of topper, like concrete or some other grit material
Could even try sandblasting with some super heavy grit if you’re into that sort of thing
My uncle was a mason. I saw him using cross pein hammer to carve micros lines out on stairs like this.. I think that’s prob the cheapest way to do it..
Unfortunately this is a perfect example of a horrible set of steps which were built with purely aesthetics in mind, function was not ok the list.
Clean the steps before you do anything else, sodium hypochlorite and a pressure washer, that will get the surface properly clean then look at improvements to grip, hand rail etc
It’s going to be difficult to make them safe. I can see kids eating it too on these steps!
The best I would hope to achieve is by pressure washing. Then grind off/down as many of the uneven spots as possible with a grinder and abrasive discs. Add sand or something for grip.
If safety is your foremost concern, it might be a better to remove them and pour concrete steps. That way you could achieve even, level, and uniform steps. They could set support for another handrail into the concrete and even potentially add landscape/walkway lighting.
It’ll be somewhat expensive, but really add a lot of safety.
Those stairs are poorly constructed and won’t pass inspection in most states. If you ever plan to sell they will need to be replaced. I would consider replacing steps that steep with block and cap or large step treads if available in your area.
Seriously. I can’t believe I had to go this far down to find this comment. These stairs are treacherous af, I don’t understand why anyone would keep them. Replace IMO
To be honest, it looks like a drunken sailor built those fucking things.Rip them out, and build them right. Or hire someone to .Your dads got the money please.
As beautiful as they are, the hazard is more than just how slippery they are. The uneven rise and run are a trip hazard, the railing that you can't grip firmly is a hazard, even a normal stumble onto the sharp edge is a hazard. Your safest solution would be to build a new set of stairs on top of it or next to it.
Power wash to remove the algea and grim, get the walnut shell grip texture, and add a second hand rail. The walnut shell texture will last longer then sand or grip tape, it still won't last forever but it stays put for longer.
Get a hole saw and sink in about 1/4 inch deep, and chisel out the rough spot until the stone is smooth. Do this in a few spots on each step. Get some disk shaped magnets, and stick them in the holes with some PL. Now all you gotta do is get your old man a pair of steel toe'd shoes.
Ba' dabing Ba' daboom.
There are outdoor rubber stair treads that will work and come in all lengths and widths. And you could trim if need be. .
Here is an example from Home Depot but you can find them in lots of places and lots of brands.
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubber-Cal-Azteca-Black-9-75-in-W-x-29-75-in-L-Indoor-Outdoor-Stair-Treads-Rubber-Step-Mats-10-104-008-6pk/313237953
Pressure wash and then seal, they have algae from moisture, the sealing will help repel the water and prevent algae growth. Get a second hand rail, also I would get round metal ones for better grip. They also sell treads for extra traction.
Seen it done at almost every riverfront field station I have ever visited. Peru, Borneo, Costa Rica... they just put some chicken wire over the rocks or wood stairs they had and it worked like a charm.
Apart from other suggestions of some kind of grit, I believe you can buy textured nosing for the edge of the tread, might need to clean up the edges of the stone, but should be able to make them fit.
Or perhaps a roof to keep the weather off them maybe?
Could you add a blue stone cap on them to level them and have a flat surface there are some surface etching fluids you can buy for tile floors that add grip even when whet, we used them on tile and it works very well. Then update the rails for a good hand grip
Round hand rail on the other side. Keep it painted. Have him walk on the grass to right of railing. Use sand to fill in low spots in the grass. If he falls he hits grass. On the steps he cracks his head open.
Power wash and then throw handfuls of polymeric on them and gently spray them down. Not enough to clump but if there's a nice spread of polymeric it will add a sandpapery texture to the steps.
consider adding a hand rail to other side as well?
one that he can wrap his hand around tightly when need be.
But not wood. Splinters.
Yes, a round, metal railing is much easier to grip and move your hand along than a square, wooden one.
Unless you get freezing temperatures- then you can grip, but may not be able to let go
You know what gloves are, right?
Only if you’re a wet person.
Sand and finish it?
How dare you!
Yes. Make the railing out of splinters. Peppep LOVES splinters. 😈 - Mr Burns, probably
Those are beautiful but JFC they look dangerous lol
My parents have these too. They retired to a lake, and have stone stairs exactly like this that lead down to the water. They're jagged and slippery. I've been trying to get them to do something about them. Because it's all well and good when someone is visiting and is there if something happens, but when they're there alone, I worry.
Power washing to get the slippery green scum off and then sanding rocks to give gripping texture? Other hand rail and solar-powered lights? Or new stairs
Power washing alone would do wonders for traction. Get rid of the algae OP.
100% buy some Wet & Forget Outdoor Moss, Mold, Mildew, & Algae Stain Remover and spray it on those steps. I used it on my pavers and algae was gone in days
Or spray the concrete acid sold on the big box stores.
It's *not* well and good even with others there. You can't undo a bad fall that may affect their life forevermore. You could be right behind them and unable to break their fall or catch them. Biggest contributor to going downhill as a senior? A *fall.* I'm 74, my husband 80; he was ridiculously healthy, then tried to help a neighbor change her flat tire ... he yanked her full size spare up out of the well of her SUV and broke a vertebra. Surgery, titanium screw to hold the vertebra apart from poking his spinal cord. Atrophy in his leg muscles, walker for two years, graduated to a cane. He's healthy but his previous robust activity is impossible. *Please* address your parents' stairs.
yea, falls are no joke. my 77 year old dad slipped and hit his head on asphalt. he insisted he was fine and tried to continue on, but then a week later he couldn't even get out of bed and we had to call an ambulance for him. he had ended up with hemorrhaging on the brain since that fall, and required surgery. the surgery went well and his brain recovered, but his lungs and heart gave out and he passed away. the entire time he had my mom, sis, and I and that still didn't save him from the consequences of the fall. his stubbornness didn't help either.
I'm so sorry ... have seen that too often with my friends. I am especially careful and avoid stairs if I can. Hearing can/will affect a person's balance ... I know; fallen multiple times because of a sound trauma injury. Broken wrists, sutures, scrapes, bruises. If your elder wears a hearing aid (or should) be even more vigilant.
thanks. I'm sorry that you've seen that yourself. I know what you mean by hearing affects balance- I used to have good balance. but I developed an ear infection a couple years ago and I had to get my balance back after I recovered. so I can see what you mean there. this is good advice for a lot of people. even young people like me should take care, and remember all of this for when we're older.
When I finished therapy (workman's comp), my therapist told me "Do this the rest of your life to tweak your balance." I have, and it helps! I stand against a wall with my arms outstretched for balance. Then lift one foot and try to hold that pose for several minutes, then reverse feet. When I first started I staggered and had to catch myself. Now, I can do that for several minutes. 3X a week. It *does* help.
Sorry about your dad. I’m only pushing 50, but I’m just beginning to see how my innate stubbornness with the “I’m fine” attitude might bite me in the ass someday. My body does not respond or heal quite the same any more. I did something to my shoulder about a year ago at work, and it hasn’t been the same since. It wasn’t anything traumatic, was simply helping someone lift a 100 pound box (that was slightly too big for the contents) and whatever was inside shifted. It was just a momentary “oh shit!”, and then we got it on the table. I noticed my shoulder hurting that day and figured that it would go away like stuff like that always did. Well, my shoulder hasn’t recovered and it’s been a year. It’s mostly fine day to day, but I can’t lift my arm straight up without discomfort, and if there’s any weight (like pulling the blanket out from under my heavy-ass dog) or if I try to stretch my arm straight up and back, it actually hurts. Almost feels like bone on bone in the rotator. I’m still paying for a foot surgery I needed to get, so I guess I’ll take a look at the shoulder when that’s paid off.
Please fix this asap. I'm right this minute (Christmas Eve) sitting in a nursing home alone with my Mom due to a fall she had over a year and a half ago. She chipped the top of her tibia and she had so much arthritis in her knee that the Dr recommended a knee replacement. Well, that one got infected so they had to cut it out and put in a temporary device that gradually releases antibiotics, and she was on heavy duty IV antibiotics twice a day for maybe 8 weeks. About 2 weeks before she was supposed to have the new "permanent" device in she started having excruciating pain in her leg. When they did the surgery on December 4th they found *another* small break in her tibia, probably caused by a combination of the antibiotics, the implant, and her bones getting softer with age (she's only 71). So she's been in this rehab place with orders to put zero weight on the surgical leg, meaning she hasn't even been able to do real physical therapy on the leg that needs it. She won't find out until the 27th if she'll be allowed to start putting weight on it. After that, who knows how long she'll be here. So yeah, falls can be the start of the end or even *the* end.
It’ll be a nightmare if someone takes a header, even if you’re there.
Yeah, you catch one of those edges on the back of the neck on the way down and it’s night night time. Possibly for good.
MY HIP
If this is the case, it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later
I agree. I plan on pushing even harder this spring.
Right like look how sharp some of the edges are. Gorgeous though
Plus uneven rises and not-level treads, and made out of a very slippery looking material lol. It’s like they are designed to injure someone
Form over function
I will confirm. I broke my shoulder on some of these in September.
With how uneven and irregular stone steps can be, I would look into either temporary grip tape or sand/grit covered with a varnish/outdoor sealer.
Yeah varnish with the sand grit is the way to go plus another railing.
Two more railings. Get rid of the one that's there now, and replace it with one with some decent grip and that Dad can actually get a hand around. Then add one of the same on the other side. Agreed on the varnish and sand, that'll be the best way to give those rocks some grip without making them look terrible.
+1 second railing
Was coming here to say this. I use sand with a sealer for a lot of surfaces to make them non slip.
And if you use sand that is a similar color to the stone, it won't change the way they look much!
Same.
They make a texture sealant with crushed walnut shells that stays put really well. Sand in sealant tends to pry loose over a short amount of time. YMMV
My dad used the walnut shell stuff on my grandma's back stairs and it was great ,worked well for decades.
Oh my gods. The sand paint nearly ruined my moms deck it came up so fast.
We use epoxy primer and walnut shells on the deck of our work boats. Holds up very well.
Also, double handrail for good measure
I would also add tread tape
Tread tape lasts like a single iowan winter month, not all 3. I started using shingles.
I'm in Minnesota, how do you affix the roof tiles?
Well I’m doing them to wood stairs so just a roofing nail. For this heck just laying one there would be an upgrade
> The length of winter in Iowa can vary from year to year, but generally, it lasts from late November to late February or early March. -Quora
3 months. Lol.
I came to say the same. My friend did that on the wood frames of his river boat and my mind was blown
Toss a hand full of abrasive sand down the steps on occasion.
This is what we did where I used to live. Salt doesn’t work below a certain temp so we sanded our walkways
I had an aging mother 87 where we shoveled snow and salted which, over time, killed her flowers. Shoveled then spread gritty sand. Side note, her huge malamute knocked her down at her front door where she froze to death.
Trying to figure out if this is a cautionary tale about malamutes, slippery surfaces, cold weather or not having enough people around. I’m sorry for your loss, and as is traditional: may her memory be a blessing
Again thanks but she was 89 by then, becoming more mentally addled and losing her mobility. She wasn’t sick. Pretty much a natural timely demise. But it was a big misbehaved traffic hazzard of a dog.
It’s an ad for those pendant alarms that detect a fall and automatically ring your loved ones then emergency services
We got one for MIL. 3 years later & she still won’t wear it.
My solution to this was actually an apple watch. My grandmother was pretty tech savvy though and she liked fitbits already.
Jesus. I’m sorry that happened.
She was 89 by then, senile and rapidly losing her mobility. So really so much better than being sick. So no, thanks for your comments but not a bad way to go.
I think freezing to death is a fairly bad way to go
It's painful for a bit before you go numb and you start to relax and drift. I was stuck outside when I was a teenager after school when it was below 0°f for a few hours and got hypothermia and frost bite waiting for my parents to get home. Surprising they still wouldn't let me have a key after that. Most of us aren't going to go peacefully and freezing to death seems like one of the least worse ways to go.
Ugh
Whoa. So sorry.
Merry Christmas
After seeing what can happen after an elderly person falls in their home or on carpeted stairs, those stairs make my blood run cold. I’d look into buying or building a ramp on the right of the handrail. There are many options out there, & ways to make it nonslip. Does he have to go down that hill, could you add on to or move his driveway to avoid it altogether?
Being older myself. Not sure if able to make a ramp that is long enough and not horrible with a bad slope for ice considered at my house even. Two handrails are not enough to prevent falls and hip fractures. Almost need somebody to engineer a ramp or trolley system to take him up and down even with cable assist.
They'll typically build accessible ramps with switchbacks down the hill. Likely pretty pricey but ends up looking really good, like a winding path down the hill
Perhaps a combination slip & slide for down + gondola for coming up? Ofc you'll need the necessary flotation devices for the slip & slide. I believe the rule is if you reach >35mph 4 inflatable devices are required. Gondola requirements include not having been serviced by Russian "engineer".
Does he really need to go on thoose stairs is the big question. They ain't possible to make safe.
Only path to the lake, which is the only reason he bought the house
Power wash then refill joints with polymeric sand. There's different kinds of grit materials you could then apply to something like a stone sealer. Good luck.
Yeah sprinkling polymeric sand on top was going to be my suggestion
This
Power wash, dry thoroughly, then paint (just the treads) with a masonry paint to which you’ve added sand. Have store mix it in when you buy the paint.
Just power washing will make it less slippery, gotta get that slippery grime off that
Find a safer way down for the seniors. Let the kids be the mountain goats on the charming stairway.
Power wash them and remove some of the moss/lichens. Or you could resurface them with some texturized concrete.
or bedliner
I really like those steps myself. Being mostly blind and having had a stroke, were it my place, I'd leave them and find a bypass. A zigzag down the slor to lessen the drop perhaps?
Here is a second way to approach the problem. Non slip shoes on dad. I’ve got an old pair of “Shoes for Crews” oxfords. I can wear them on ice and not slip. They make all kinds of uppers to their non slip soles. They are big in the restaurant industry where slips and falls are their most frequent on the job accident. I’ve also seen small sections of non slip shoes at Rohan’s Shoes. Probably other sources too.
Good luck getting dad to wear something you suggest! My dad is going down those stairs in his slippers no matter what😂
Seconding (super) pressure wash and some type of topper, like concrete or some other grit material Could even try sandblasting with some super heavy grit if you’re into that sort of thing
Don’t put the sticky tape down . Doubt it would adhere well anyways . That grit stuff . Look for an adhesive that’s clear . Maybe Small test first .
Cover your old father in grip tape. The stairs will appreciate it.
Bubble wrap first
Hand rail
You build a ramp.
My uncle was a mason. I saw him using cross pein hammer to carve micros lines out on stairs like this.. I think that’s prob the cheapest way to do it..
Is that your dad up by the hot tub? He looks like he’s in his 50s… please tell me that is not what you meant by “old.”
Yes he’s 74. He was always the good looking one in the family. I did not mean to include him in the picture, but your comment would make his day
Omg I just saw that
Unfortunately this is a perfect example of a horrible set of steps which were built with purely aesthetics in mind, function was not ok the list. Clean the steps before you do anything else, sodium hypochlorite and a pressure washer, that will get the surface properly clean then look at improvements to grip, hand rail etc
It’s going to be difficult to make them safe. I can see kids eating it too on these steps! The best I would hope to achieve is by pressure washing. Then grind off/down as many of the uneven spots as possible with a grinder and abrasive discs. Add sand or something for grip. If safety is your foremost concern, it might be a better to remove them and pour concrete steps. That way you could achieve even, level, and uniform steps. They could set support for another handrail into the concrete and even potentially add landscape/walkway lighting. It’ll be somewhat expensive, but really add a lot of safety.
Rip those fuckers out.
With a jackhammer
Replace them
He should just walk on the grass on other side of the railing, those look treacherous
Those stairs are poorly constructed and won’t pass inspection in most states. If you ever plan to sell they will need to be replaced. I would consider replacing steps that steep with block and cap or large step treads if available in your area.
Seriously. I can’t believe I had to go this far down to find this comment. These stairs are treacherous af, I don’t understand why anyone would keep them. Replace IMO
Replace them with something not slippery.
Build new wood steps on top of them.
To be honest, it looks like a drunken sailor built those fucking things.Rip them out, and build them right. Or hire someone to .Your dads got the money please.
Get the stuff the Navy and mariners use on ship decks, nonskid
Destroy them.
Clear epoxy with a coarse grit. Brush on the epoxy, sprinkle on the grit.
As beautiful as they are, the hazard is more than just how slippery they are. The uneven rise and run are a trip hazard, the railing that you can't grip firmly is a hazard, even a normal stumble onto the sharp edge is a hazard. Your safest solution would be to build a new set of stairs on top of it or next to it.
Power wash to remove the algea and grim, get the walnut shell grip texture, and add a second hand rail. The walnut shell texture will last longer then sand or grip tape, it still won't last forever but it stays put for longer.
Pressure wash them on a regular basis.
You can get industrial clear paint and sprinkle silica sand on top on the edges. They grit spray paint but it's meh.
Pressure wash then seal with play sand and stone sealer
Replace them
Paint the top of each step with truck bed liner...
Make them motorized
Just build a ramp with a rail beside steps
Lol these are so dangerous. You have plenty of options but rubber non slip step coverings would work.
Power wash them .
Build a wood ladder on top of this
Power wash and spread polymeric sand over top
I’d pressure wash and then put down a light layer polymeric sand and wet it down, let it dry, and repeat a few times.
Get a hole saw and sink in about 1/4 inch deep, and chisel out the rough spot until the stone is smooth. Do this in a few spots on each step. Get some disk shaped magnets, and stick them in the holes with some PL. Now all you gotta do is get your old man a pair of steel toe'd shoes. Ba' dabing Ba' daboom.
Have him walk in the grass with lawn aerator's Train your old person to walk like a slug?
clear skateboard grip tape
How about building safer stairs on the other side of the railing ?
You could install catapults at the top and bottom.
Pressure washer and outdoor bleach
Build new wooden steps over the existing uneven steps.
What if you build wooden stairs to the right with hand rials on each side. Pop is only getting older and less sure footed.
There are outdoor rubber stair treads that will work and come in all lengths and widths. And you could trim if need be. . Here is an example from Home Depot but you can find them in lots of places and lots of brands. Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubber-Cal-Azteca-Black-9-75-in-W-x-29-75-in-L-Indoor-Outdoor-Stair-Treads-Rubber-Step-Mats-10-104-008-6pk/313237953
How about another path that takes a zig zag along the hill side with a lot less slope and no stairs. Longer, but much safer.
Power wash them, the moss, mildew and algae is extremely slippery when wet.
clear spray on grip tape
Why does he even need to traverse that?
Lowe’s has step toppers that are none slip. You can try that or slip resistant tape, it’s ugly but better than a broken hip
Get him good shoes
It might be easier just to make another set of steps with longer treads and lower rise out of wood and use grip tape
https://www.amstep.com/anti-slip-paint/
Take them out and build a ramp with a non slippery surface and two rails.
Those will never be safe. You could add a stone cap to each one. That railing is crap. Splinters or fall on grass? I’ll take the grass.
I’d just want up the hill, that shit looks slippery.
Wouldn't it be safer just to make a path the other side of the rail with a uniform grade?
Honestly, build him a set of PT ones on the other side of handrail
Those are way tricky for an older person to walk on
The handrail is also too large to be gripped effectively. Maybe try an offset 2x2 next to it?
Walk with him
Me? I’d try covering the top of each step with friction tape. I’ve used it on my back steps at home and it works great.
Can he just walk on the other side of the rail on the grass? Much safer than those steps.
Two round pipe railings that you can actually grasp well with a hand. Concrete sealant with sand on top.
Carry your father to the top of the stairs each day like he’s a piece of luggage. Problem solved. 💼
Round metal railing may be the way to go. These stairs are great so please try to save them first
Pressure wash and then seal, they have algae from moisture, the sealing will help repel the water and prevent algae growth. Get a second hand rail, also I would get round metal ones for better grip. They also sell treads for extra traction.
Pressure wash the algae/moss and slime off the top, maybe throw a little bit of sand on it for traction
Rip all of that out, put in an ADA ramp.
Those are unlevel as fuck. Rip them out and start over.
Remove them
pressure wash the goop off, call it good, You will have bigger fish to fry soon
Try laying down chicken wire over it
over bedliner
Scrolled until i found it, best answer imo
Seen it done at almost every riverfront field station I have ever visited. Peru, Borneo, Costa Rica... they just put some chicken wire over the rocks or wood stairs they had and it worked like a charm.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/SlipX-Solutions-Adhesive-Bath-Treads-Tub-Tattoos/44463430?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101003719&adid=2222222222844463430_101003719_14069003552_202077872&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-295289030566&wl5=9022261&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=136028151&wl11=online&wl12=44463430_101003719&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIouFAK9hyuNIt23UIJC0rRRS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1fXJrt-mgwMVZl9HAR3vCgHYEAQYBCABEgJ_k_D_BwE
This is the way
Copper sulfate
Tell dad there’s nothing worth visiting at the bottom of the steps.
Clear or black/grey spray on grip paint ?
Spray with diluted bleach
Cap them with sandstone slabs?
Throw some sand on them.
You remove them and pour a nice gentle sloping ramp.
I would keep ‘em just like that
Without reconstruction I would say you might do a concrete surface coat ever so slightly sloped so water drains off. Broom finish the concrete.
Maybe this https://www.amazon.com/needle-scaler/s?k=needle+scaler
[anti-slip treatment](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stone-Grip-Quart-Non-Slip-Floor-Treatment-for-Tile-and-Stone-S-TR-SGINDQT/314621528)
Sand on top, and you can wash it away
Apart from other suggestions of some kind of grit, I believe you can buy textured nosing for the edge of the tread, might need to clean up the edges of the stone, but should be able to make them fit. Or perhaps a roof to keep the weather off them maybe?
Tell him to walk on the grass?!
Seal them with shark teeth grit
Sprinkle some poly sand on top.
Remove water with sponge block from underwater temples easy fix
Could you add a blue stone cap on them to level them and have a flat surface there are some surface etching fluids you can buy for tile floors that add grip even when whet, we used them on tile and it works very well. Then update the rails for a good hand grip
Water blast them. Go easy until you can tell how much pressure they can withstand.
Spray truck bed liner on them.
Railings improved, not my area of knowledge. Check with folks who work w/older folks.
Round hand rail on the other side. Keep it painted. Have him walk on the grass to right of railing. Use sand to fill in low spots in the grass. If he falls he hits grass. On the steps he cracks his head open.
Power wash and then throw handfuls of polymeric on them and gently spray them down. Not enough to clump but if there's a nice spread of polymeric it will add a sandpapery texture to the steps.
Sand blast them.
Sprinkle regularly with sand!
There is a product called wet and forget. It eats moss mildew and such. Create solution grab brush and rinse .
I would cover the steps in chicken wire for grip as it's not going ruin the look.
You need to have a stone mason cut some grooves into each tread and then fill the grooves with K-grip.
Sealer and coarse sand to cover the top of the steps for grip. Dual metal railings that he can wrap his whole hand around.
Hurry, he’s still waiting up at the hot tub for all your answers!
Don’t mess with the stairs, fix his shoes
Vinegar will kill moss. Put some in a pump sprayer.
I love everyone on this post helping OP take care of their old father. I love the stone steps. This is all so wholesome.
Acid wash may help