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PhrasesAt the Hardware StoreDevo sistemare i gradini della scala in legno.
B1

Devo sistemare i gradini della scala in legno.

I need to sort out the steps of the wooden staircase.

Pronunciation

GRA-di-ni del-la SCA-la — stress the first syllable of each; 'sc' before 'a' is hard.

When to use it

Use this when wooden staircase steps need refinishing, non-slip treatment, or structural repair. Wooden stairs are common in Italian palazzi storici and need periodic maintenance.

What it means

Gradini (steps) in Italian homes are often solid wood or stone. Maintenance involves anti-scivolo treatment (anti-slip), verniciatura (varnishing), or replacement. Anti-slip products include gomme antiscivolo (anti-slip rubber strips), nastro antiscivolo (anti-slip tape), and vernici antisdrucciolo (anti-slip paint). For solid wood steps, sanding and recoating with oil or polyurethane varnish restores appearance.

Variations

Nastro antiscivolo per i gradini.

Anti-slip tape for the steps.

Self-adhesive non-slip tape; a quick and effective safety solution.

Olio protettivo per il legno delle scale.

Protective oil for the wooden staircase.

Wood oil penetrates and protects while maintaining a natural appearance.

I gradini cigolano. Come smetto il rumore?

The steps are creaking. How do I stop the noise?

Creaking steps can often be fixed with screws, wood glue, or a lubricant in the joint.

Mini Dialogue

— La mia scala in legno è vecchia e un po' scivolosa. — Posso consigliare il nastro antiscivolo: si applica facilmente e dura anni. — Devo riverniciare anche i gradini? — Se la vernice è consumata sì. Le do la carta vetrata 80 per togliere la vecchia e poi la vernice per pavimento in legno.

— My wooden staircase is old and a bit slippery. — I can recommend anti-slip tape: it applies easily and lasts years. — Do I also need to revarnish the steps? — If the varnish is worn, yes. I'll give you 80-grit sandpaper to remove the old one and then wood floor varnish.

Cultural Note

Italian palazzi storici (historic buildings) often have marble staircases that require specific anti-slip treatments — not the adhesive tape used on wood, but specially applied anti-slip resin coatings that become invisible once cured. These specialist products are available at good ferramenta and are required in many buildings where the marble cannot be altered but safety improvements are needed.