Ramps in winter: No, not the edible kind... - My MSAA Community

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Ramps in winter

NorasMom profile image
11 Replies

No, not the edible kind, although they'd be pretty good right about now.

For those of you who have both wheelchair ramps and snow, how do you keep them from getting slippery? Do I have any options other than getting out there with a broom and some calcium pellets umpteen times a day? Does anyone sell a magic wand that would work from inside the house?

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NorasMom profile image
NorasMom
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11 Replies
goatgal profile image
goatgal

I have two solutions:1) woven jute ice mats that I can unroll on top of snow or ice. They are supposed to be laid on top of snow for traction. I find it difficult to roll out/roll up, so I have also just left them on the ramp. They freeze to the surface but still provide traction underfoot. They can be composted when the season is over. 2) asphalt roofing shingles tacked to the wood of the shorter ramp and steps to my large shed. I live in an area with little snowfall so it's usually fairly easy to partially clear both ramps of 2-3." For my porch steps (7 on the north side) which get icy: I use rubber stair treads that I lay on the steps after all the leaves have fallen. They provide reliable safe footing and can be pulled up, shaken off, and laid down again. (Though I don't use these, there are also heated stair treads for the same purpose, but because I have seven steps, I think cords stretched across the porch deck to the outlet would be a hazard of a different sort given my foot drop.) When I broke my ankle one September morning, I didn't leave the house solo until spring thaw! I wasn't cleared to drive until then and I have good neighbors who shopped for me or took me to the market, and I paid someone to take care of the hens...so it all worked out. I hope you are doing well and have the help you need.

BlanketTime1 profile image
BlanketTime1 in reply togoatgal

those are great ideas! i'm moving north next year and hadn't even thought of this!

falalalala profile image
falalalala

My friend lived in an area that got lots of snow & ice.

He was an amputee who just salted his ramp.How he navigated through it all was beyond me.

Kenu profile image
Kenu

Have a friend that has heated rug’s on his ramp that keeps it melted off. I’m sure Amazon has them and maybe try MSAA maybe they can help with cost 💲 👍🏼🙏😉

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9

Tack down chicken wire on top of the wood. Tack it tight to the wood and leave it there all year. It's perfect to keep even walking people steady.

NorasMom profile image
NorasMom in reply tomrsmike9

I love that idea, but unfortunately, this is an aluminum ramp that was given to me. I wish now I'd just gone ahead and made a wooden one. I think I could cope with it better.

mrsmike9 profile image
mrsmike9 in reply toNorasMom

Oooo. That will be slippery for everyone! Do you have access to an old piece of carpet, something crummy, that you can have someone lay down it, tacking at the top??

NorasMom profile image
NorasMom in reply tomrsmike9

I'm pulling my hair out at this point. I like Goatgal's suggestion of jute mats, and someone else thought of rubber ones. The carpet wouldn't work because it's attached to a cement porch. This whole thing is turning into a major fiasco. I was so happy to get it, but it's turning into nothing but trouble!

Making matters worse, it could have easily been installed BESIDE the steps, and my uncle refused to listen. So now everyone HAS to use the ramp just to get to the house, and this is so not going to work. I plan to get it moved next Spring, but that doesn't help these next few months.

Sandydemop profile image
Sandydemop

i hope you can manage to stay safe during the ice for this winter. i have a metal ramp with small ridges going across. it will be my first winter with it but i can't think of any good reason I need to go out in the ice and risk my life. Take Care.

twooldcrows profile image
twooldcrows

i hope you can find someone to help you .....loves and many blessings ...be safe...

Tazmanian profile image
Tazmanian

They make heating wire for gutters maybe that will work underneath the ramp

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