If a floor falls short

What to do when a floor doesn’t pass

A low PTV is a starting point, not a write-off. In order of cost and effort, here’s how poor-performing floors are usually brought back up to standard.

1. Look at the cleaning first

It sounds too simple, but the single most common cause of a slippery floor is the way it’s cleaned: the wrong detergent, too little dwell time, a build-up of polish or grease, or mopping that just spreads a thin film of contamination around. Correcting the cleaning regime can lift a borderline floor over the line on its own — at no capital cost.

2. Anti-slip treatments

For tiles, stone, terrazzo and some concretes, a chemical anti-slip treatment can micro-etch the surface to increase grip when wet, usually without changing how the floor looks. It’s a good fit where the floor is otherwise sound and you don’t want to replace it.

3. Coatings and profiled finishes

Anti-slip coatings and seeded/profiled finishes add a textured layer for higher-risk areas like ramps, steps and wash-downs. They change the surface feel, so they suit back-of-house and wet areas more than a smart reception.

4. Safety flooring and matting

Where a floor is past its best, profiled safety vinyl or anti-slip tiles — specified to a known performance level — are the replacement option. And never underestimate good entrance matting: most water is walked in at the door, so a long, well-maintained matting run stops the problem before it starts.

5. Re-test to prove it worked

Whatever route you take, the only way to know it succeeded is to test again. We’ll re-test after the work and give you a fresh report showing the floor now sits at 36 or above — the document that protects you if anything is ever questioned.

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