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Help making this ramp nonslip for winter
(lemmy.world)
Does anyone know the best way to make this ramp nonslip? We get a fair amount of ice and snow and there are a couple elderly folks using the ramp.
We tried a basic nonslip rubber mat, but the grooves just hold ice and snow so don't really help.
Our current ideas are maybe adding rubber stair treads every board or two, or maybe tacking little strips of wood to every board.
The best technique is not to modify the ramp but get people to use spikes on their shoes. The ramp will almost always be icy/snowy during winter and it will be difficult to stop this or remove ice without damaging the wood.
I have something like this. I got mine at Costco (check now, it's seasonal): https://www.amazon.com/Yaktrax-Spikes-Walking-Large-X-Large/dp/B01IB76JTY/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=shoe%2Bspikes%2Bfor%2Bwinter&qid=1699053381&sr=8-23&th=1
And if people use this you probably want something on that wood to protect it from the spikes. I suggest this or similar: https://www.amazon.com/ZGR-Outdoor-Profile-Entryway-Non-Slip/dp/B08N5WFJ1Z/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=outdoor+runners&qid=1699053563&sr=8-6
A runner like this also allows whoever maintains the ramp to "shake off" snow and thin ice.
No perfect solution, IMHO. But I think this would work best. This will also help those people wherever they walk.
That's a good idea regardless of what we do on the ramp. Thanks!