A Guide to Hardwood Flooring’s Sanding, Refinishing, and Maintenance
Hiring a professional to refinish your home’s hardwood floor is costly and time-consuming. You must be ready to spend a lot of money as the project may cost more than you expected. When it comes to hardwood flooring and its refinishing, there are several options available to you. If you follow the steps outlined in this blog, you will get an excellent-looking hardwood floor.
Set Up the Space
Prepare the room and remove furniture, rugs, and carpets before starting. Tape ductwork and electrical outlets, plasticize the doors and pry off the base molding. As you remove molding pieces, number them for correct reinstallation. Use pliers and a vice grip to remove flooring nails or staples and secure loose boards.
Fix the Cracks
You must fix the holes by filling them with wood putty. Use a trowel filler that fills large areas if your floors are severely damaged. You can also cover the floor gaps with wood patches. Remember to wipe the surface to remove dust and debris; otherwise, the floor might look uneven.
Sand the Floor
Start with coarse 40-grit sandpaper and work your way up. The coarse sandpaper is an excellent choice to remove all scratches and rough places from most wooden hard floors. However, doing it improperly or rubbing the same surface extensively will leave the floor uneven.
Add Floor Buffer
Use sandpaper with 120-grit paper; it ensures maximum reliability and efficiency while buffering the floor. Before refinishing the hardwood floor, clean the walls, so no dust falls off. Clean the floor using a brush-head vacuum and a cloth to eliminate dirt.
Additionally, make a mixture of water and alcohol. Cover the floor with the solution using a pump sprayer and mop it thoroughly. This increases the wood grain, making it stain-receptive.
Stain and Seal
For stain and seal, decide if you want to modify the floor’s color before refinishing. Choose an oil-based stain but remember to wear a mask or keep the place ventilated as stain emits hazardous gases. For a thin coating of stain, use a rag cloth and start at the room’s far end. Let the floor stain dry for 24 hours after application. Apply another layer to reach the desired color.
After drying, seal the floor. Floor sealing prevents scratches and damage and also enhances wood’s luster. Polyurethane is the most popular water- or oil-based hardwood sealant. Since it doesn’t soak in, polyurethane sealer protects wood from water and scratches. Since the finish generates hazardous fumes, wear a mask. Wipe away dust and dirt before applying polyurethane sealant with a roller pin. Start tiny at the corner’s far end and move your way up. Wait 24 hours to walk on the floor and 72 hours to replace furniture.
Remember, adequate drying time produces a resilient hardwood floor. The above guideline will allow you to polish and refinish your hardwood flooring without overspending on labor and other expenses. Make it a DIY project and enjoy the activity.
