How to Apply Nonskid Pads to Stairs

Outdoor stairs can be hazardous in bad weather when rain, snow and ice create slippery surfaces. Installing nonskid pads to wood or concrete stairs enables you and your guests to keep their footing. While you could choose to apply nonskid tape to your external stairs, it won't hold up as well to harsh weather and lots of use. Nonskid stair pads are made of rust-proof aluminum and come in a range of finishes such, as silver, black, gold, blue and even red.

Tape measure
Utility knife
Safety glasses
Pencil
Rotary hammer drill
Stainless or carbon steel drill bit
Stainless or carbon steel concrete anchors
Stainless or carbon steel concrete screws

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of the stairs on which your applying the nonskid pads. You can leave off a few inches on each side of the stair because the pad handles foot traffic that is generally in the center -- or to the side -- of the stairs.
- 2
  Measure and cut the nonskid pads to size using the utility knife. Lay each pad on its step to ensure that size and position are to your specifications.
- 3
  Mark the hole spaces from the nonskid strip onto the concrete with a pencil. Remove the strip and set it aside. Drill holes into the concrete using the rotary hammer drill fitted with a stainless or carbon steel drill bit. Drill the stainless or carbon steel anchor into the hole.
- 4
  Set the nonskid strip back in place so the holes in the strip align with the newly drilled concrete holes. Screw the strip in place using stainless or carbon steel concrete screws.
- 5
  Repeat the process with each concrete step until all of them are fitted with a nonskid aluminum pad.

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