Grit treads for winter if there is ice on ramp

[cindiw]

I am considering placing grit treads or tape on my wooden ramp to prevent slipping on ice during the winter. Has anybody ever used them, do they work? I have been told they may not stick well, so that makes me hesitant to put them down.

 

[nealtw]

They don't do much in snow or ice condition , they work good on steel that gets slippery when wet or on stairs and ramps that might get slippery with mold growth in shady areas.

 

[cindiw]

Yes, I'm finding that out. Any suggestions as to what I should do other than hold on real tight to the handrails if there is ice on the ramp, or throw down some ice melting crystals or salt? I spoke to HomeDepot today about the paint with grit in it, and I'm not sure that's the way to go either. But I should put paint down anyway, probably gritty paint, because it is untreated wood so far. Thanks for answering.

 

[nealtw]

Yes, I'm finding that out. Any suggestions as to what I should do other than hold on real tight to the handrails if there is ice on the ramp, or throw down some ice melting crystals or salt? I spoke to HomeDepot today about the paint with grit in it, and I'm not sure that's the way to go either. But I should put paint down anyway, probably gritty paint, because it is untreated wood so far. Thanks for answering.

I had neighbours with a ramp, when it snowed she was house bound in a wheel chair, he put a ladder on the ramp and just shoved the snow off above the ladder and walk up and down using the ladder as steps.

 

[cindiw]

It's a thought. It looks a little precarious though. I think I'll just hunker down, hope nothing serious happens where I have to leave the trailer at that point. Thanks, though. Every thought helps.

 

[Sparky617]

I used some years (like 30) on a precast set of concrete stairs and they held up well. I installed some at a center I volunteer at a couple of years ago. I was back there a few months later and they were still securely attached to the PT wood steps. Though they hadn't been through a snowstorm yet when I went back. PT wood can be really slippery when it gets a few years old and is wet. On our mountain bike trail bridges, we'll use shingles as an anti-slip covering. They hold up really well, we just cut off the three tab part and use the upper part. Wet PT bridges with a little muck on them and mountain bike tires are a deadly combination.