Building an outdoor patio doesn’t have to mean using bricks or building a wood deck. Many homeowners prefer to use tile. It gives them a lot of aesthetic choices, and it doesn’t rot or break down, so they know they can build a space that will last.
That does not mean there are no risks, though. For one thing, some tiles do not have enough grip for outdoor use. They may not have a textured surface. This can be slippery on the best of days. After even a light rain, though, it can become a major slip-and-fall hazard, as they’ll get very slick. The same is true in the winter, when even a little snow or ice can make the entire tile surface feel like a frozen pond.
This is especially dangerous when people are walking from one material to another. If the tile patio connects to a concrete sidewalk, for instance, the concrete may offer far more grip. Someone switching from one to the other could unexpectedly slip, not realizing how much worse conditions are on the tile.
Plus, the cold can take a toll on tiles that are not strong enough — if someone chooses to use indoor tiles for an outdoor project, for instance. The freezing and thawing can crack and break the tiles. Then, in addition to being slick, they are also covered in trip hazards.
As you can see, that tile patio may not be as safe as you assume. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, be sure you know what legal options you have.
