Non-slip coating renewed after 11 years.

The surface coating on the bathtubs in the 56 rooms had been in use for a long time. After 11 years, the slip resistance was renewed.

All 56 rooms are equipped with bathtubs in the corresponding sanitary areas. These had already been treated with SWISSGriP non-slip coating 11 years earlier. “This surface coating was applied for the safety of our guests and is part of the reference product catalog. This has enabled us to create significant added value,” explains the hotel's general management. “We got along fine with the initial coating for 11 years. After more than a decade, however, it became apparent in a few places that the protection was wearing off. Visitors who were not quite as mobile or older in particular felt somewhat unsafe, whether getting in or out of the bathtub or while showering.”

So a quick and practical solution was considered. Since the bathroom areas are installed in a complex manner, the bathtubs cannot simply be removed and replaced with walk-in showers. Instead of complete demolition and reconstruction, it was decided for practical reasons to refresh the safety measures.

Professional approach
The responsible project manager at SWISSGriP explains. “Some of the bathtubs were already showing signs of detachment. This depends on how often and how intensively the sanitary area in the hotel room is used. We are very proud that our coating has lasted more than ten years in hotel operation. And we are delighted to be completing our second order here.”

In the first step, the old coating was removed with a special remover, after which the surface was thoroughly cleaned. Once the drain and fittings had been masked off, the non-slip product was applied using a roller and the 0.7 m² interior surface of the bathtub was recoated. SWISSGriP is available in different slip resistance classes. GSAS material with slip resistance in accordance with DIN 51130 and TÜV-certified R11 was used in a total of 56 bathtubs. The granular two-component coating is environmentally friendly, transparent, and durable. The solvent-free material is UV-resistant and meets all common hygiene standards—including the lotus effect. The slip resistance offers another advantage: its resistance to bacteria, mold, and fungi is certified according to ISO 846 and ISO 22196. The modern technology even prevents a number of virus strains. SWISSGriP is also resistant to disinfectants and easy to clean.

The bathtubs were ready for use again after twelve hours.
The GriP experts worked in the various rooms for two days. The bathtub was ready for use again after just twelve hours. As the Sorell Hotel Speer is fully booked all year round, the rooms could be rented out again as quickly as possible. The general manager is satisfied with the result: “I like the transparent look and the fact that the surface is not overly grainy – after all, our guests have sensitivities. Despite the feeling of safety, it should not be unpleasant. When a visitor takes a full bath, extra exfoliation in certain areas is not desirable.”