Tips for Timber Floor Sanding
Sanding or refinishing your timber floors can be a delicate process for one to DIY than you would expect. Follow these tips for sanding timber floors, and you will get the job done in pristine condition without destroying it. When you want to update your wooden floor’s look, take some time to know the deliverables and if you wish to give a shot yourself or hire a professional to carry on with the project. The following tips include:
Reduce the Dust and Check the Floor’s Depth
While sanding your wooden floor, you will require a heavy rotary machine that will kick in an immense amount of dust. Fortunately, some sanding equipment comes with an attached vacuum to take care of sanding dust. If you have such a kit, it will reduce damage caused to your lungs, nevertheless, use respirators or wear a nose mask to prevent dust from entering into your respiratory system. Other measures to mitigate dust damage is to use plastic sheeting in areas not yet done. Covering all air vents, electrical outlets, and similar regions to stop dust kicked off the power sanding tools damaging power outlets, which poses fire hazards to the house. If you can afford a respirator, use it; otherwise, a nose mask can suffice. It is also essential to wear goggles to prevent the tiniest slivers from hitting your eyes at high-speed velocity.
Before you decide to DIY sand your floor, consider the depth; if your floor’s center is less than a quarter-inch, you might want to consider hiring an experienced professional to do the job. Narrow floors are incredibly delicate to DIY, and it might lead to notorious damages. You might quickly weaken the already thin base, and you might extend the damage to the subfloor. Therefore, it is essential to assess the depth of the floor before deciding to DIY or bring onboard an experienced sanding professional.
Make Initial Repairs
Yes, before embarking on anything, first perform initial repairs on splits and gouges that you can see around. After doing repairs, check the nail heads; if they protrude, countersink them to avoid sanding or shredding, which might cause lethal damage to the sander head.
Be consistent while Sanding
While sanding your wooden floor, start using the roughest grit type and finish with the most acceptable option. The final result will be a smooth floor, which is fundamental for stains to adhere to correctly. While using a rotary sanding machine, be consistent with the time you take to sand a particular spot; overdoing it in one place will cause unevenness to the floor, requiring repairs later on.
Remove the Trim
Before you start sanding your floor, remove the baseboard before you proceed. Sanding reduces the bed’s height, leaving a gap between the floor and the trim; besides, it can scuff the edge.
When you finally achieve the fine and smooth finish, decide what stains you want to use for your timber floor. The cost is critical in determining what coats to apply to your sanded floor.
If you want to achieve the best results in your sanding project, consider investing in a sanding professional and the best coats. You will add character and elegance to your wooden floor with better investment. Better yet, trust the professionals at MJS Floorsanding in Brisbane to execute everything for you.
Read More »