When was the last time you had your floors sanded? If you haven’t decided to invest in such a project yet, it might be high time to do so. Many homeowners hide their stunning floorboards under carpets without realizing that bare floorboards provide homes with a special charm.
The merits of a well-treated floor are numerous, such as elimination of scratches, lower risk of pests, minimization of wear and tear, preparation for floor staining, no mold formation, etc. Amateur sanders, however, tend to make some common mistakes that affect the outcome of the process.
The following guide will introduce you to the benefits of floor sanding and the most frequent mistakes to avoid.
Benefits
Floor sanding provides homeowners with a multitude of benefits. For instance, it eliminates the signs of wear and tear that start to show after years of foot traffic. Temperature changes that happen over time have a tendency to dull the shine of floorboards and make them look worn.
Nevertheless, the best thing about hardwood is the opportunity to sand and seal it repeatedly for the boards to regain their initial shine. Anyhow, this isn’t the case with laminate flooring, which has to be replaced once it becomes worn. Check out some tips for taking care of laminate flooring.
Another benefit of floor sanding and restoration is reducing the risk of pests. The spaces between floorboards are the perfect opportunity for pests to start nesting. They take advantage of every opportunity to find their way into your house through the cracks and holes in your flooring. Once you sand and coat the surface with a protective coating, the spaces get sealed up, and pests are denied entry.
Moreover, floor sanding helps homeowners get rid of scratches, cracks, and dents, which are inevitable with the use of flooring. These forms of damage occur due to dropping items and objects on the floorboards, wearing shoes, dragging furniture across the floor, etc. Such damage might not be noticeable at first, but it gradually removes the glow of the surface. Fortunately, sanding and polishing are known to increase the lifespan of the flooring.
Floor staining and restoration are beneficial for allergy sufferers, as they won’t have to use carpets. The health of allergy sufferers stands to gain from sealed flooring. In contrast, carpets provide the perfect surface for harboring allergens and dust, which induce asthma and worsen the allergy symptoms of household members. See this URL, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323523, to learn about the types and causes of asthma.
Polished floors, however, need a simple broom sweep to be clear of pet hair, pollen, and dust mites. Conversely, carpets cling onto the allergens until they are steam-cleaned or vacuumed thoroughly. Sanding also allows homeowners to add a new varnish to their flooring. If you are sick and tired of the dull look of your floors, you can improve their appearance by restaining them. Sanding is essential before staining, as it makes sure the surface is smooth and even.
In addition, mold formation is less likely to occur on sanded floors. By eliminating the scratches and dents on the floorboards, there is almost no risk for mold to break out. Sanding is more cost-effective than having your hardwood floors replaced. In most cases, restoration is sufficient to repair the existing damage.
Common mistakes to avoid
If you decide to sand the floors by yourself, there are certain common mistakes to avoid. For example, using the wrong grit sandpaper is a frequent mistake, as sanding with fine paper isn’t always the wisest idea. The selection of grit should be based on the condition of your floorboards. In case they have been previously sanded, you can start with finer sandpaper.
Nevertheless, if the floorboards have never been sanded before, you should start with coarse sandpaper, such as 24grit. Although many individuals find it radical, the finer paper won’t remove any old varnish or dirt. Using the wrong kind of sandpaper means it clogs up incredibly fast. Such sandpaper is useless, as you’ll have to keep replacing it.
Another common mistake for amateur sanders to avoid is not sanding enough. Individuals must remember that this job is exhausting and time-consuming. Hence, if you haven’t got the physical strength or time to do it, you should hire professional assistance. There are numerous floor sanding companies in London, which specialize in wooden floor restoration. However, if you wish to do the job alone, you should be up to the challenge.
The moment you start sanding, you will immediately experience an obvious difference in the surface. As you proceed with the removal of dirt and varnish, it might seem that you aren’t making any progress. This is mainly because the floorboards aren’t entirely flat, meaning the drum of the machine isn’t able to reach all areas at once.
When it comes to concave floorboards, shadows are usually left at the edges. Conversely, in the case of convex floorboards, shadows are generally left in the middle. It’s absolutely important not to give in to the temptation to stop sanding. The ultimate bits of the procedure can be frustrating, but they are definitely worth the effort. Make sure not to stop sanding until all shadows and marks are successfully removed.
Another mistake for homeowners to avoid doing is not sanding diagonally. It’s a highly recommended technique, as it makes the process much quicker. In the end, you won’t be dealing with hard-to-reach floorboard areas, which create the shadow issue.
Amateur sanders are advised to change the sandpaper often to avoid one of the biggest mistakes. Only by changing the sandpaper frequently you can sand your floors faster as well. When the paper gets clogged, you’ll be investing your effort for nothing, as the progress will be terribly slow. Therefore, remember to check the sandpaper often enough to ensure timely replacement. Visit this page for everything you need to know about sandpaper grit.
The bottom line
Do your best to restore the former glory of your floorboards!