The most common kind of finish for a modern hardwood floor to have is urethane, but older floors may have alternate kinds of finishes. In previous eras, it was very common to finish a hardwood floor with wax. Since wax floors can be damaged if they are cleaned with products intended for a urethane finish, it is important for homeowners to determine which finish they have, particularly if they did not install the floor themselves.
Fortunately, there are several different ways in which consumers can test their hardwood floors to determine if the finish used was a wax-based product. Be sure to perform all these tests in and out of the main walkway area, such as in a corner under the stairs or in a closet.
The first test is to lightly rub sandpaper against the floor. If the finish tends to form little balls on the sandpaper or on the floor, it is probably based on wax rather than urethane. Another option is to simply drip a small amount of water onto the floor. If the floor is finished with wax, the area under the droplets will turn white in approximately ten minutes. Finally, homeowners can dab mineral spirits onto a clean, white rag. Rub the mineral spirits onto the floor. If the finish is based on wax, the rag will begin to change colour to brown or possibly yellow.
Both wax-finished and urethane-finished floors, however, are similar in that they need floor sanding and polishing at regular intervals.
There are some home renovation tasks that can very efficiently be completed on a do-it-yourself basis. Most people, for example, have no trouble at all putting together furniture that is sold in an unassembled state. Painting interior and even exterior walls is another example of a task that most people can complete to their satisfaction without professional assistance.
Wood floor repair, however, can be a different matter entirely. Some homeowners mistakenly believe that they can sand down their scratched and tired floors without contracting with a professional floor sanding services firm. The results such homeowners get, however, are likely to be disappointing. One way in which this is often true is in the quality and consistency of the finish coat applied after sanding has been completed.
Home renovators may not realise that mistakes made during the application process can cause the floor to have an overly shiny or hazy appearance.
Common issues
Applying a top coat over wood that still has too much moisture in it can cause a hazy appearance. This problem is more likely to occur with a new floor than with an old one that has been sanded. However, a related problem of high humidity in the air during finishing can also contribute to hazy or shiny finishes, as can insufficient ventilation during the application of the product.
A floor represents a large investment of funds. It makes little sense to squander that investment by refinishing the floor in a manner that will produce slapdash results. Instead, hire a professional floor sanding contractor who can take care of your refurbishment job properly from start to finish.
A hardwood floor is a beautiful and lasting investment, but can lose value quickly if allowed to fall into poor condition. Even more alarming, this fall in value can actually affect the market price of other components of a house. For example, prospective home buyers will be willing to pay less for those gorgeous new kitchen cabinets if they are hanging above a floor that looks the worse for wear. This means that it is of paramount importance to keep your wooden floors in excellent condition at all times, since having them repaired at the “last minute” prior to listing a property for sale can cause you to miss the market high in your area – a high that may not come around again for many years.
Scratches are the most basic kind of damage to a wooden floor. Fortunately, scratches and other marks can easily be removed by professional wood floor restoration companies. This should be done periodically to keep floors looking as good as new.
Another kind of repair consists of eliminating squeaky areas. These can result from winter conditions, which cause wood to contract slightly so that boards begin to slide along nails rather than being gripped firmly. Gaps are another issue that can develop in the winter due to seasonal floorboard shrinkage. There are simple, do-it-yourself techniques for repairing squeaky areas, but hardwood floor sanding to remove scratches should always be performed by a qualified professional firm with experience so that you get the best possible results.
Wood floor sanding needs to be done in every building with a wooden floor. This not only improves the look of the room but also makes maintenance easier. A well sanded floor will complement any decor and makes the interiors look luxurious. A well kept floor commands more respect than one that is laminated or carpeted. Whether you have a hardwood or a softwood floor, sanding will help bring out the best.
Why choose a good sander?
Choosing the right sander is very important when it comes to wood floor sanding. A sander who has the newest technology should be chosen. Old sanders use machines that mess up the entire place with dust. The more recent developments in technology have brought machines which collect the duct by suction. This reduces the dust considerably and makes the after-job cleaning much easier. You should also hire the best sander you can afford as there are chances that the sander that doesn’t know what he is doing can damage your floor.
Care after wood floor sanding
After the wood floor sanding, a protective coating can be applied to maintain the same shine. After applying the coat, you need to be careful for a week to help it cure and dry to avoid scratching it. Although you can walk on it barefoot, moving furniture over it should be avoided. Taking care for just a week will ensure that the job done is well preserved and will last a long time.
Things to consider
You should decide what look you wish your floor to have before you contact the agency for wood floor sanding. You can go for the matt, glossy and a few other types of finishes. You can also go with the natural look without any extra finishing. This works out cheaper as well. You will also have an option of filling up the gaps. A nicely done floor is a pleasure to use and to maintain it all you need to do is make sure it remains free of coarse dust and not drag objects with sharp edges on it.
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