Wood stairs in the winter

Submitted by RoyalAntelope9948 t3_11djmxw in vermont

Okay my fellow Vermonters. I need some ideas to help an elderly very independent friend. Both front and back steps are wood and there is no roof over either. Consequently they get extremely icy. The tread strips are pretty much useless. This friend is going to get hurt again. I suggested cut tires with tread. I know they work great but their concern is that they can't shovel then. Stubborn person (aren't we all). Help pretty please. Thanks much.

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odkevin t1_ja911zf wrote

Skate board grip tape. It's essentially heavy grit sandpaper with a sticky back. It can be cut to size and shape with scissors (just not your good ones) and it's pretty cheap. I put it into Google and the first thing that comes up is for sale on Amazon

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RoyalAntelope9948 OP t1_ja91a20 wrote

Thanks!

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TOPOS_ t1_ja9kqn7 wrote

If grip tape is expensive, I've used shingles with plenty of nails for the same purpose

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whaletacochamp t1_jaa9cdd wrote

You can also paint the steps and when the paint is just getting tacky throw a bunch of gritty sand/fine gravel on it.

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cheesytreesy t1_jaczyfa wrote

They make skidtex which is basically sand that you add to paint specifically for this purpose. They also make adhesive treads. Local hardware will have both

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ScrunchyButts t1_ja94b2e wrote

I don’t think any degree of grip tape or treads will help very much when it gets iced over. My guess would be heat mats but that sounds expensive.

Anyway, nice job being a good neighbor!

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RoyalAntelope9948 OP t1_ja94q0x wrote

I wish I could convince them to try the tire tread. I know others that used these and they were a game changer. I looked up the heat mats. It's a maybe. My friend is also VERY frugal. Ggggrrrr

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MarkVII88 t1_ja9bpci wrote

OK, so your elderly neighbor friend is stubborn, not necessarily willing to accept help, and is also a cheap-ass. Best bet for them is just a big bag of ice melt. Hell, buy them two bags and feel better. You could even shovel and de-ice the steps for them every now and then. Otherwise, as the saying goes, You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

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whaletacochamp t1_jaa9tkm wrote

The trick is to get a layer of salt on the steps BEFORE it snows. Then when it does snow the snow will either melt if not too heavy, or peel right off the steps if heavy/packed.

I have natural stone steps that are a NIGHTMARE to shovel/de-ice. A dozen of them with no hand rail makes bringing in a baby, elderly relatives, groceries, etc a chore. But if I’ve pre-treated I can walk up and down them all day packing the snow down and still just peel it off with the shovel. So satisfying.

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Shep_Book t1_jaajyfj wrote

You can lead a horse to water, but it’s still gonna be pissed if you try to drown it. 🤣

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MarkVII88 t1_jaazjhv wrote

Yeah, some people are just prickly or simply have to learn the hard way. Should be no skin off OP's nose.

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Vermontess t1_ja9hcuj wrote

Installing handrails on both sides of the stairs really helped my grandmother

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jsudarskyvt t1_ja93f2w wrote

HeatTrak. Low voltage rubber mats that can be attached to each step and they melt the snow/ice continuously. Not cheap. But very effective.

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RoyalAntelope9948 OP t1_ja95dyo wrote

Looks like a great idea until you price it out but I really appreciate the idea. I will see if I can persuade them. It's worth a try.

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jsudarskyvt t1_ja96e5c wrote

One other possible option. Alaskan Awning. An small, angled awning of plexi-glass extending over the steps. Will work for a few steps keeping ice off.

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TellTailWag t1_ja976qc wrote

Would they or could you convince them to wear something like this?

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RoyalAntelope9948 OP t1_ja97ntd wrote

Have them but they aren't really easy on things. Especially when it's a quick trip to the mail box AND not when you're getting older. Thanks much.

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WantDastardlyBack t1_ja9blib wrote

I put a pair of those on Crocs and only use that pair of Crocs for outside in the winter They aren't that hard to put on. Easy to slip on and off and after wiping out on ice hidden under a fresh coating of snow in my 40s - as the town sands/salts the center of the road, not the side where pedestrians have to walk - I decided that fall like that would never happen again.

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SmoothSlavperator t1_ja9nosl wrote

Buy them a dedicated pair of shoes as a gift. Keep an eye on Muck's website, they have sales all the time. Get a pair of the lower Mucks, put the YakTrax on em and leave em on and put them next to the door so they can just slip em on when they have to go outside.

The thing with expense is that yeah, it might be a few bucks but....Still fuckin' cheaper than copays and deductibles if they take a digger and break their shit.

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CriscoCrispy t1_jaaj1au wrote

This is exactly what I have…an old pair of Mucks with Yaktrax spikes that stay on them. Easy to slip on and off every time the dog insists on going out.

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realmadrid111 t1_ja9j0ta wrote

I knew a guy who would get a pair of new workboots and take them to the garage and get them studded just like a tire. He worked in VT doing resort laundry pickup service, so he was out on sheer ice all day. Keep a pair by the door... easy on/off!

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Historical-Run-1511 t1_jaai3cq wrote

I have a pair of Ice Bugs I only use for walking the dog after snow/freeze. They have 100% kept me on my feet. I like them better than the things you have to put on the shoe because I'm lazy.

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thejeffloop t1_ja9inkr wrote

Keep a bucket of dirt nearby and apply as needed. Salt melts ice and then it just refreezes- and if you have porcs in your area they will definitely sniff out the salt and start hammering away on your stairs in the middle of the night. Been there.

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RoyalAntelope9948 OP t1_jaaf5ws wrote

Thanks much everyone for your helpful suggestions.

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Norrland_props t1_jaats86 wrote

Had the same problem with my camp steps. Metal roof would shed snow onto stairs. Took forever to clear them.

Finally got some metal grated stair treads. The snow falls right through. You can also get them in heavy duty polyethylene, which is cheaper. They have the added benefit of cleaning your shoes/boots off during warmer weather. The gravel and dirt falls right through too.

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wampastompa09 t1_jab9e8f wrote

I grew up with stairs like this. Sand and salt were commonly used and the stairs don’t last.

I wish there was a low-key way to heat them like the rear window of a car.

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merikus t1_ja9de56 wrote

We have the same problems on our front steps as well. It got really dangerous earlier this winter.

I ultimately purchased thick rubber mats that were made from recycled tires. So far they’ve done a nice job giving a good deal of grip on our steps. They’re not maintenance free, as they have to be occasionally taken up and thrown back down just to get the snow and ice out from the tread. But I’m really impressed with them.

I don’t want folks to think I’m pushing some particular product, so I won’t leave a public link. If you’d like a link, PM (not chat) me.

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kapntug t1_ja9n0tg wrote

I only feel elderly sometimes, but my dog is getting up there and he slipped down the stairs this winter. Now he has PTSD and freezes at the top step. I have to Sherpa him down one step at a time. So I'm here to offer what we've tried and hopefully get advice, too.

We use pet friendly ice melt and that works well, but I'm thinking of adding a bristle mat at the bottom of the stairs where the ice really gathers. It's grass and I don't want to salt the earth but it can get dangerous after shoveling and refreezing.

Do the bristle outdoor mats and shingles get icy, too?

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Maleficent_Rope_7844 t1_jaa9jzh wrote

Would they wear those treads that go on the bottom of your shoes? Effectiveness varies but I've seen some nice ones at REI.

You want the ones with actual "teeth", not the ones that use coiled wire.

Edit: Apparently this has already been suggested.

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Ok_Heron4479 t1_jaactky wrote

In the summer paint it then but a little sand and paint over or mix the sand with the paint

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triathing t1_jaadv06 wrote

Icebugs. Cheaper than an ER visit.

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thedvlandgod t1_jaahmh1 wrote

My elderly neighbors have a ramp for the winter. Easy to shovel, and made with large enough gaps for the snow melt to run out of. Cheap-ish enough to build. And easy to shovel.

If he says no, just build it heavy enough that it’s impossible to move with one person.

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KindaPretentious t1_jaajkjb wrote

Wood stairs get icy, and traction strips just ice over too. What about studded footwear or traction spikes?

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alunnatic t1_jaao7tc wrote

Cut in metal grates so the snow falls through. They make them with a grippy top.

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kthxba1 t1_jaaqfhc wrote

We have this same situation. I do use ice melt on the step, but this year added a mat like this one and it’s made a huge difference. You might be able to find this type of material in a better shape/size for stairs.

https://www.hardwarestore.com/647554-grassworx-clean-machine-10372029-10254603-door-mat-30-in-l-18-in-w-rectangular-medium-flair-pattern-cinder

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-sallysomeone- t1_jabjdzg wrote

Would your friend wear ice cleats to and from the car/mailbox? Might assist in reducing slipping and is an affordable option. Ski poles to boot.

Definitely doesn't solve the ice problem, but might help until you do.

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suzi-r t1_jacve6e wrote

Plain, unused, or slightly used kitty litter works great. One big ($5-7) bag can last thru several snowfalls. I use it with satisfaction. Try it before you scoff me out

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