Make Slippery Concrete Entrances and Walkways Less Slippery
A concrete entrance or walkway can become slippery when rain, tracked-in water, or other moisture reaches the surface. The SKID SAFE™ system is designed to improve traction, with preparation selected for the concrete’s existing condition. For exterior walkways and other frequently wet areas, NDS recommends adding ND AGGREGATE™ traction grains to the coating.
Before choosing products, determine whether the concrete is bare, sealed, or painted. That decision changes the preparation required.
Which treatment fits your concrete?
| Surface condition | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|
| Bare, unsealed concrete | Prepare with CONCRETE BOND & CLEAN™, then apply the SKID SAFE™ and ND AGGREGATE™ as required. |
| Previously sealed or painted concrete in sound/good condition | CONCRETE BOND & CLEAN™ will not remove an existing sealer, but may help clean/degrease the surface which is essential for the SKID SAFE™ application. Combine with ND AGGREGATE™ as required. |
| Peeling, damaged, or uncertain finish | Contact us before coating. The new application depends on a sound underlying surface. |
A patch test helps confirm compatibility and the expected appearance before treating the full area.
Why use aggregate on an exterior walkway?
SKID SAFE™ is the anti-slip sealer; ND AGGREGATE™ adds physical texture for areas that regularly get wet. The grains are broadcast into the wet first coat of SKID SAFE™, then secured by five subsequent coats. The resulting surface will have a safe, textured, high-traction coating.
The No-Slip SKID SAFE System™ combines the non-slip sealer and traction grains, along with surface pretreatment when needed.
Preparing bare concrete
For unsealed concrete, CONCRETE BOND & CLEAN™ is the specified cleaner and pretreatment. Always do a small patch test before applying to the whole area, protect nearby glass, soft metal, and vegetation, and a thorough rinse after treatment. The cleaned concrete should dry thoroughly—approximately 24 hours – before coating.
Only use CONCRETE BOND & CLEAN™ on previously sealed concrete if it is in sound/good condition. Read its complete directions before beginning work.
Planning the coating application
Measure the walking area and note any stairs, slopes, drainage issues, or sections exposed to frequent water. The application with aggregate requires six coats of SKID SAFE™ in total. Each coat must dry before the next, usually within 10-20 mins followed by a 96-hour cure period after the final coat.
Weather and site conditions affect the schedule. Keep the area protected during application and curing, and follow the full product data sheets for preparation, temperature, drying, access, and maintenance instructions.
Review SKID SAFE™ · Review ND AGGREGATE™
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply the system over sealed concrete?
It depends on the condition and compatibility of the existing sealer. We advise that a sound existing finish may not need stripping before SKID SAFE™ application, but the new coating will depend on that finish.
Will the walkway look the same afterward?
SKID SAFE™ offers glossy and satin finishes, providing a ‘new’ look. ND AGGREGATE™ adds texture and may be slightly visible (small grains) depending on the surface and grain colour. Test a small area to assess the finished appearance.
Is the system suitable for a busy commercial entrance?
The No-Slip SKID SAFE System™ is ideal for residential and commercial entrances and exterior walkways. The appropriate preparation, quantity, maintenance plan, and time needed to close the area depend on your specific site. Share those details with us before ordering for a commercial location.
How should the finished walkway be cleaned?
We recommend a neutral pH cleaner for the aggregate system. Follow the maintenance directions to protect the finish.
Get a recommendation for your entrance or walkway
Use our SKID SAFE Project Selector Tool to identify what you need. Or alternatively, send us the approximate square footage, photos, whether the concrete is bare or coated, and how often it gets wet. That information helps determine the preparation and system quantities.
