You want to restore a wooden floor, you know you'll need to sand down and seal
the wood but what now? Where do you go? What do you do? Who should you ask for
help?
This article sets out the steps you should take to ensure a
successful project with as little stress and complication as possible using
contractors.
For information on sanding the floor yourself visit
We have been sanding and restoring wooden floors
professionally for years and have found the following advise to be a great
guideline to ensure an amazing result you'll want to show off to everyone!
Start Early
We cannot stress this enough, start gathering information
well in advance of starting the restoration.
Preparation is key.
We advise creating a folder for all of your sources,
especially if you're working on this with other people, you definitely all need
to be on the same page for this one! We
suggest creating sections or sub folders for each aspect of the project: the
type of floor you have, sanding advice, reclaimer yards, finishing process and of course, maintenance.
Dropbox, Evernote and Yammer are all great online tools which can be accessed
anywhere and you can always upload photos to your files too. This is a great
idea for documenting the process, who doesn't want to show off a before and
after photo?!
Good sources for information about floor sanding:
The following site sets out a handy list of 5 step guides
for your whole floor restoration project. It starts with the subfloor and ends
with the maintenance on your newly sanded wooden floor.
Managing your expectations
Once you've gathered some information you can start to
create a list setting out your expectations. Be realistic in what can be
achieved. Some wood floors, especially pine, are full of character. The beauty
of wood lies in its subtle knots and colour changes, embrace them and you'll be
better off in the long run.
Repairs
When dealing with repairs, consult a carpenter, especially
if you have a few areas that require special attention. We strongly recommend
using reclaimed floor boards especially if it's an older floor not only will
you be making better use of sources but the colour will match far better than
any new wood will.
Here are a few reliable sources:
Dedicated Sources
Reclamation Yard around Cambridge:
Sanding conractors
The easiest way to find a floor sanding contractor is to
look online, but you could also ask local wood floor suppliers for their
recommendations, ask around and see who is suggested the most in your
area.
Research all timber floor sanding firms thoroughly before
asking for a quote. Be very wary of firms who give you a price for sanding over
the phone, we feel that it is practically impossible to give an accurate quote
without seeing the floor first. It's far better for the contractor to inspect
the wood before providing a price for the job.
If you haven't already, make sure that all carpets and
underlay are removed so the floor is fully exposed for the contractor's
inspection, this way you'll both know exactly what treatments you'll need.
For more information read our article The 5 important
factors to consider when choosing a wood floor sanding contractor [insert link}
Get a quote in writing
Simple.
Getting a quote in writing
from your contractor gives you a clear indication of what you can expect
not only in terms of cost, but also what is included and what isn't.
We advise against a verbal quote, we've seen far too many
clients who have been charged more than was discussed or have had steps missed
in the floor's treatment.
Managing your timeframes
Wood floor sanding contractors (or at least the good one’s!)
work to tight timelines and asking them to change a scheduled job can be a huge
disruption for them. Try to allow a few extra days either side of the project
just in case you run over with other tasks or the job is delayed slightly.
Working with tradespeople you've used in the past can also help or firms that
have been recommended to you.
Preparation
Your floor is now ready for sanding, all other trades have
left site and your floor sanding contractor is due in the next few days. What
can you do to prepare?
Make sure that all your clothes are clean and your washing
up is done. No, seriously! On the day the floors get sanded a tonne of
electricity is needed to operate the machines. I you have your washing machine
and dishwasher running at the same time it might cause power outages. Better
safe than sorry!
The day before the sanding starts it is advised to clear the
rooms where the floors will get sanded, store any furniture and loose items
elsewhere. All power should be fully operational, floor sanding equipment
doesn’t really like working off of extension cords!
It's really helpful if you can keep a space clear for the
contractor's van, preferably close to the site, they'll need to carry in lots
of equipment to ensure that you get the best finish possible and it's vital
that they can get to it all. Make sure you offer tea or coffee, possibly the
most important advice ever given.
Maintenance
Once your beautiful new floor is finished by the wood floor
restoration technician it is required to let the floor dry and cure as
recommended.
Whatever you do, don't place any rugs back on the floor
until 14 days after the sanding and sealing has been finished. Tempting as it is,
don't walk on the floor too soon after it has been done, listen to your
restorer's expert advise, they really do know best. And while we're at it,
don't you dare go dragging heavy items over your freshly finished floor.
Make sure you use the correct cleaning equipment and
products to keep your floor looking it's best.
http://www.floorsandingnewmarket.co.uk/#!maintenance/hbwr3
We trust the above guide is helpful and enable you to get
the most from your wood floor sanding and restoration project. For more
information please feel free to call us on
01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk
