Sanding wood floors is a time consuming but relatively easy procedure. Sanding wood floors & refinishing yourself will definitely save money , and even an inexperienced homeowner can likely do a better job than the lowest bidding handyperson who quotes on it.
Can I sand my wood floors by hand?
However, for some reason, some people still prefer sanding their floors by hand They swear that sanding the floor by hand will provide you with flawless results. They consider sanding the floor by hand as a true form of craftsmanship, considering how detailed and more complex the whole job is.
Can you do floor sanding yourself?
Is sanding your floors a diy job or would I be better off getting a professional to do it? It’s totally DIY-able, but be warned, it’s really, really hard work The sanders are really heavy and I just wouldn’t have been able to lift the machine out of the car and into the house on my own.
What kind of sander should I use on hardwood floors?
The drum sander is the real workhorse of hardwood floor sanding. It is a massive piece of equipment, too heavy for most people to lift—two people are required to carry it.
How do you prep a floor for sanding?
- Clear the Room Before Sanding
- Clean the Floor
- Hammer in the Nails
- Remove the Baseboards Before Sanding
- Protect the House From Floor Sanding Dust.
How do I make my hardwood floors look new without refinishing?
- Try buffing and polishing with a commercial-grade buffer.
- Use a hardwood floor polishing sealant.
- Clean markers with toothpaste and a clean cloth.
- Apply a wood floor cleaner or oil soap for a high-gloss clean.
What grit do I need to sand floors?
Start with 36-grit sandpaper for a floor that hasn’t been sanded in a long time or that has a lot of heavy finish on it. Floors that have been painted may even require you to go tougher and use 24 or 16-grit paper. Maple floors are so hard that they often require 36-grit sandpaper as well.
How many sanding sheets does it take to sand a floor?
The amount of sanding paper you’ll require will depend on the size of your room. However, as a guide, for the 3m x 4m room I sanded, I used around 6-7 sheets at the roughest grit and 2 or 3 of the finest , and the same again for the edging sander. You’ll need fewer sheets the finer the sandpaper gets.
What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?
Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.
How long does it take to sand a floor with a floor sander?
If you’re using both the electric sander and the edger in 140 square-foot floor space, it will take you roughly 5 hours to do three sanding passes Another thing you must take into account is how old your house is. If yours is 50 years old or more, you’ll need extra time to complete it.
Should I clean floorboards before sanding?
The better ventilation you have in the room, the faster the finish will get dry. Clean – Pre-cleaning your floor is as important as cleaning after each stage of the sanding process You do not want dust and dirt particles scratching the bare wood or staying trapped in the finish forever, right?.
How much wood does floor sanding remove?
Floor sanding removes at most about 1/16 inch of wood, and damage that is deeper than that usually will still be evident, though less obvious.
Can you stay in your house while floors are refinished?
If your hardwood floors have been sanded and finished with Bona Mega Clear HD, it is safe to sleep in the home about 2-3 hours after the project is finished , but again, only if there are other rooms that have not been robbed of their furniture – furniture should stay off floors for at least 24 hours after ANY project.
Can a homeowner refinish hardwood floors?
Professional refinishers will do your floors better and faster than you could. “Our crews do this every day,” Williams said. “This is how they support their families, and they take a lot of pride in the fact that they know their job.” Brunton argues that most homeowners will do just fine if they just take their time.
When should I sand my hardwood floors?
- Problem #1: Excessive Dents and Scratches. Dents and scratches on hardwood happen (especially if you have kids or pets)
- Problem #2: Fading and Discoloration from Sunlight Exposure
- Problem #3: Water Damage on Hardwood
- More Stories for You.
How can I refinish my hardwood floors without sanding?
- Use a store-bought chemical abrasion kit.
- Buff and recoat floors with polyurethane.
- Use a revitalizer.
Can you use a drywall sander on floors?
Drywall sanders, although commonly used to sand down plaster and taping, as well as preparing a wall for painting. This type of sander can be used to sand off anything, this is including wood. Therefore, you can use this specific sander to sand wooden floors.
Is it hard to sand and refinish hardwood floors?
The hardwood floor refinishing process is easier and less expensive than sanding down to bare wood and takes less time In a few hours, your floors will look as good as new. The job requires using a buffer, which you can rent at a home center, and a vacuum to suck up dust.
How much does it cost to run a floor sander?
Floor sander rental costs vary depending upon location, but you should be able to rent a drum sander for about $50 to $80 per day Orbital sanders and edge sanders will rent slightly less. Rent for a more extended period, like a week, to save money.
Which floor sander is best?
Unless you plan to sand many floors in your lifetime, your best choice of floor sander is the random orbital sander from one maker in particular. Unless you plan to sand many floors in your lifetime, the best choice for do-it-yourself floor refinishing is the random orbital sander.
Should you clean hardwood floors before sanding?
Clean, Clean, Clean This should help pick up any dust you stirred up while sanding Now your floors are prepped and ready for stain!.
Do I need to strip wood floor before sanding?
For example if you have a painted finish on your wooden floor then stripping will likely be more effective , however if you want to remove a basic polyurethane finish and you need to do so during the colder months of the year then sanding will be more appropriate.
What do professionals use to clean hardwood floors?
You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.
How do you refresh dull hardwood floors?
- First, give your floor a good cleaning
- Next, apply the revitalizer according to the package instructions
- Use your mop to spread the revitalizer on the floor
- Once the revitalizer is spread evenly, let it dry fully before you move furniture back in place or allow foot traffic on the floors.
How does Sandless floor refinishing work?
Sandless refinishing, as the name implies, involves no sanding. Instead, a technician uses a machine with abrasive pads and a liquid solution to remove surface debris from the floor The floor is lightly scuffed as the liquid etches away debris. Because no sanding is done, very little, if any, dust is produced.
Can you sand floors with orbital sander?
Random orbital sanders are the best choice for do-it-yourself hardwood floor refinishing They take longer to remove old finishes than drum sanders, but they do not require a lot of experience to use and are less likely to damage your wood floor.
How do you know when to stop sanding?
So what’s the right amount? The best way to know when you’re done sanding is to scribble a light pencil line across your wood before you start Once the line is gone, move up to the next grit. Repeat up to the highest grit sandpaper, then wet your wood with mineral spirits to confirm there are no remaining marks.
How much should you sand before staining?
On most raw woods, start sanding in the direction of the grain using a #120-150 grit paper before staining and work up to #220 grit paper Soft woods such as pine and alder: start with #120 and finish with no finer than #220 (for water base stains) and 180 grit for oil base stains.
How do you tell if wood floors can be refinished?
Water Test Pour a spoonful of water onto the floor. If it forms droplets that stay on the surface of the wood, the floor finish is still good. If the water is slowly absorbed into the wood, the finish is worn and needs to be restored.
Citations
https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/real-estate/how-to-refinish-hardwood-floors
https://www.littlehouseonthecorner.com/diy-guide-professionally-sand-wooden-floors-floorboards/
https://www.flooringfirst.co.uk/service-guide-floor-sanding/sanding-hardwood-floors-by-hand.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72OCeMLjp08
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-refinish-hardwood-floors/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901a1d66e5