Is Limestone Slippery When Wet? (ANSWERED)

The answer to this depends entirely on the surface.

Much like any stone surface, it can be slippery when wet or polished.

In this article, you will learn what limestone is, what it is used for, and how you can make it less slippery.

Is Limestone Slippery When Wet? (EXPLAINED)

What Is Limestone?

Limestone is very common.

It is essentially a chemical sedimentary rock that is primarily formed from carbonate and calcium.

It usually forms in calm, clear, shallow, and warm marine waters.

Usually, it is light in color.

It can also include fossils of calcium carbonate-containing organisms, such as corals!

Limestone is a rock that is found all over the world.

It is also the rock most commonly found in crystal cave systems found in bedrock, also known as karst features.

Of all the sedimentary rocks found on Earth, around 10% of them are some sort of limestone.

Throughout time, limestone has been used for many things such as chemical additives or building materials.

This is because it is so widely available.

In fact, two of the most famous limestone deposits are situated in Niagara Galls and the islands of the Florida Keys!

The Uses of Limestone

As the information above suggests, limestone is a rock with a huge range of uses.

It is the one rock that can be used in many different ways that others can’t.

Most of the limestone used is crushed and used in railroad ballast, road base, concrete aggregate, foundation stone, drain fields, and various construction uses.

Limestone is also fired in a kiln alongside crushed shale to make cement.

Some types of limestone perform exceptionally in these uses because of how strong and dense they are.

These long-lasting properties enable them to stand up even to abrasions and freeze-thaw.

Although limestone doesn’t perform as well in these roles as other, much harder silicate rocks do, it is far easier to mine.

On top of that, it doesn’t put the same wear on mining equipment, screens, crushers, and the beds of vehicles in transport.

Limestone is also popular because harder silicate rocks are commonly too far from construction sites to be used economically.

So, Why Is Limestone Slippery?

Limestone can become very smooth and slippery over time.

After all, it is soluble and erodes quite easily.

Limestone can also attract algae if it is left in any shade or a moist space.

This then makes it even more slippery.

If you are using limestone for a driveway that has a slope to it, you may even find that it is more dangerous.

When used for driveways or paths, it is often coated with a form of anti-slip coating.

However, this can wear off very quickly.

You will likely have to go back every year and recoat it.

How to Make Limestone Less Slippery

Slippery limestone can cause many accidents, injuries, and general inconveniences.

After all, no one wants to have a permanent ‘slippery when wet’ sign wherever limestone is.

Limestone can often be surprising because people usually only imagine slippery stones like the shiny pavers found in commercial buildings.

However, this could not be more untrue.

The reality of it is that natural stone floors aren’t actually dangerous most of the time.

In fact, they often have a plethora of benefits to consider.

It is often the composition, finish, and external factors that can cause them to become slippery.

Limestone can be especially dangerous in certain situations.

These situations include:

Limestone running around a pool

Limestone that has been exposed to rain

Limestone that has had liquid spilled on it

Limestone on a sloped driveway

Limestone with moss on it

Limestone with algae on it

In situations where slipping is a real danger, honed or sand-blasted limestone is the best option.

Honed or sand-blasted limestone has a textured yet smooth finish.

While it isn’t as shiny as polished limestone, it is far safer.

It won’t reflect light like usual limestone features.

So, why honed stone?

Well, honed limestone is far more abrasive than usual limestone which makes it exceptional for areas that are prone to getting wet.

Though, it does require more upkeep than stone with different finishes.

With that being said, many homeowners believe that using a low sheen or abrasive stone will remove risk.

This is yet another myth, as it isn’t always the stone’s finish that causes slipperiness.

In fact, many studies have since concluded that it is rather a stone’s innate composition as opposed to its finish that changes its overall ability to be gripped by anyone.

This means that choosing polished or sand-blasted limestone over normal limestone may not actually mitigate all of the danger.

On top of all that, stone floors that get water on them are almost always dangerous.

Let’s take a good look at how you can make your floors far less slippery without having to limit your dream home feature options.

Types of Non-Slip Treatments

Typically applied to stone in order to provide traction, non-slip treatments are a great option.

When you use non-slip treatments on the natural stone in your home, you’re increasing the safety of it drastically. Non-slip treatments are extremely beneficial.

This is especially true when it comes to homes with children, pets, or those with disabilities, injuries, and age-related walking issues.

Normal Stone Non-Slip Treatments

If you’re looking for a non-slip solution for your indoor, non-polished stone tiles, an all-purpose non-slip treatment is your best option.

An all-purpose option can be applied without having to seek professional help.

All you need is a spray bottle, mop, or a specific applicator.

Non-slip treatments will not change the appearance of your stone due to the way that they are formulated.

This means you don’t have to worry about the finish or color being affected in any way.

Applying a non-slip treatment can be a little time-consuming the first time you do it.

However, treatment lines usually have some sort of maintenance product that makes ongoing application easier for you.

Indoor/Outdoor Non-Slip Treatments

When looking for something that suits your limestone both inside and outside, deck grip is a great option.

It is ideal for stone features that are surrounding the water such as patios, pool decks, outdoor pathways, and balconies.

Often, it is used in mudrooms or screened-in porches as these spaces usually endure the elements to some extent.

These treatments possess chemical resistance, UV resistance, and chlorine resistance.

This allows you to continue using your spaces as intended without the worry of falls and slips.

Polish Non-Slip Treatments

Perhaps one of the most popular types of natural stone treatments is polish grip.

It preserves the natural sheen of your shiny stone floors without the risk of falls and slips.

The Bottom Line

Depending on a few different factors, limestone may or may not be slippery.

Make sure to exercise caution on limestone surfaces.

If you’re worried about slips and falls, try one of the treatment options above to solve the problem.