When Should You Replace Old Stair Nosings?

Using  stair nosing is definitely a safety measure and is a must for places with heavy foot traffic. It minimises the risk of slips, trips and falls. Not only this, it even protects the underlying floor surface from costly damage that can occur otherwise due to constant wear and tear.

Nothing in this world is permanent, and neither is stair nosing. In fact, installing any safety equipment is not a one-time job. They need frequent inspection and checks. In the case of stair nosing, one must also follow building codes as well as occupational health and safety regulations.

Hence, it is important to check the condition of your stair nosings at certain intervals, depending on the amount of foot traffic accessing the area. Doing so will help you achieve and maintain the safety level of your stairs.

How Long Does Stair Nosing Last?

Usually, a regular stair nosing with normal use lasts for many years. The life of a stair nosing depends on a number of factors, like:

• Traffic
• Environment
• Material
• Maintenance
• Quality

But, if you take a few precautions while  installing stair nosing, you can extend the life by a few more years.

If you observe how wear and tear is affecting the stair nosings, you should first consider repairing them. Let’s see how you can minimise the need to replace your stair nosing by repairing them.

How to Extend the Life of Stair Nosing?

You can minimise the need to replace your stair nosing by considering the following:

#1 Choose Durable and High-Quality Stair Nosing

This will automatically  reduce the long-term costs related to the building maintenance and will also extend its life. For instance, the solid stair nosings we offer will give many years of stair protection with normal use.

#2 Regular Inspections

Inspect your stair nosing at regular intervals for signs of damage. If you find any, you should immediately resort to the required repairs before it becomes a major repair job.

#3 Stay Updated

Don’t buy outdated designs that you will have to replace shortly. Use anti-slip nosing products that have advanced features and designs. For instance, we offer stair nosings that fulfil disability requirements and are fully compliant with the Australian standards. 

#4 Use Appropriate Cleaning Agents

It is obvious that dirt, dust and moisture will affect nosings over time. Hence, use appropriate cleaning agents to protect and increase their lifespan.

Doing so will definitely extend the life of stair nosing while helping you enjoy their continued performance. But, as stated earlier, every product has its own life cycle. Regardless of how many precautions and repairs you take, it will demand a replacement. Though, the replacement must be the last resort when there is no scope of any repair.

Repair or Replace the Stair Nosing: How Will You Decide?

If the stair nosing is damaged and you are confused about whether to repair or replace it, here are few factors that will help you decide.

• Scratched Stair Nosing

The scratched stair nosing can be repaired if it is made of metal. So, whether to repair or replace will totally depend on the material of stair nosing.

• Cracked or Broken Stair Nosing

There is no scope of repair here as the cracks can increase the risk of trip hazards or someone getting injured due to the broken part of the stair nosing. Consider a replacement in this case.

• Dented Stair Nosing

Often, the dented stair nosing is not that dangerous as it has no impact on the nosing's ability to protect the stair edge. Though, it can affect the visual appeal. So, if aesthetics is a big concern for your building, only then you should consider a replacement. Otherwise, you can get it repaired.

Other Signs for Replacement of Stair Nosing

The probability of replacing the stair nosing is not just limited to the condition of stair nosing. Sometimes, external factors too can demand a replacement.

Here are the two factors or rather two situations when you should replace your stair nosings.

1. When you are renovating the building

Renovating a building is the perfect opportunity to evaluate the overall safety compliance. Also, while you are renovating the entire building, including flooring, lighting, decor and colour scheme, there is a good possibility that your stair treads are not highlighted the way they should be.

To ensure that all the elevated floor surfaces remain visible as well as aligned aesthetically, it is best to consider replacing the stair nosing accordingly to complement the newly renovated fixtures and colours.

2. When the floor surface has become loose or damaged

If the flooring of a building is in a compromised state, the damage is bound to occur earlier than usual. The damaged surface or an uplifted edge can further cause slips, falls and can even snag on clothing. If this happens, there is no scope of any repairs. Hence, it is best to consider a replacement.

It is best to get a slip-resistant, durable and rigorously tested stair nosing that meets Australian safety standards. Always remember, investing in quality will yield better results and extended life.

After reading these factors, if you think that your existing stair nosing needs a replacement, Safety Xpress can come to your rescue. We are a recognised supplier of safety equipment including tough and durable stair nosing anywhere in Australia. All our stair nosings are of high-quality and can be cut to your required lengths.

Explore our full range of stair nosing on our website or simply contact us to place your order on 1300 049 246. We can even arrange for the same day delivery on request.