Refinishing Wood Floors – Brucke Flooring in Tulsa
Refinishing hardwood floors can be an asset to a home. Sometimes, pulling back wall to wall carpeting and finding hardwood floors is a surprising discovery. True hardwood floors are often candidates for refinishing for less than the cost of installing new wood floorings. Refinishing a hardwood floor is something a homeowner can do themselves. A project like refinishing wood floorings requires a substantial amount of time and the proper equipment and supplies. The results, however, are worth the investment.
Wood floorings are often found in homes needing updating. It is possible for a homeowner to refinish hardwood floors themselves. There are specific tools that are required, and these are easily rented. These are primary edge and power sanders, along with an industrial grade vacuum. These are available through a tool rental supplier, a home improvement or hardware that rent tools or even a paint store. Do not skimp on renting tools. Good tools will make all the difference in the quality of the finish you will achieve. A household vacuum, for example, is not suitable for the clean-up required because the dust is too fine.
You will require a collection of various sand papers and screens for the refinishing work, along with adequate amounts of stain and finishes. You will also need clean white cotton rags or paper towels, Chinese bristle brushes, some plastic sheeting to protect other finish surfaces and painters’ tape.
The first thing that should be done is to determine if your hardwood floors are candidates for refinishing. It should be a solid hardwood flooring, usually 3/4 inch and actual wood floorings, not engineered hardwood. The easiest way to determine what kind of flooring you are working with is to locate a vent or spot where the flooring has been cut. That way you can actually see what you will be working with.
Removing all of the furniture from the room is the next step and is necessary to inspect the condition of the wood floorings. You want the boards in the wood floorings to be a tight fit. How do you know if your floor is a good candidate for refinishing? To do this, use what is known as the water test. Put a few drops of water on the floor. If the water is extremely slow to soak into the wood, you don’t need refinishing; you probably need a good cleaning.
If you have been removing resilient flooring such as vinyl or carpeting from floor, you could uncover asbestos. If the flooring you are removing was installed prior to the 70s or 80s, there could be a problem with asbestos. Asbestos cannot be sanded or scraped away. You would have to consult with an asbestos abatement firm who can then determine whether or not there is a problem.
At this point, you are ready to remove the shoe moldings. As you remove any molding, immediately label both the piece and its original location. That task will save hours of work when the molding has to be replaced. Be sure than any of this wood needing refinishing is completed. Next, check for nails or screws that are protruding above the surface of the flooring and either remove and replace them or countersink them properly. Repair any gaps between the floor boards.
You are now ready to begin the sanding processfor your refinishing project. Basically, refinishing hardwood floors and wood floorings requires three sanding sessions. The first is a rough sand, using a 30 to 40 grit paper. The next sanding uses paper in the 50-60 range and final sanding is in the 80-100 grit range. The floor must be cleaned and vacuumed between the sandings. If this is the first time you have used a power floor sander on wood floorings, practice on piece of plywood to polish your technique rather than gouge the floor you are refinishing.
Always sand in the direction of the flooring. You must get down on your hands and knees and make sure you are sanding right up next to the wall and well into the corner. Don’t “round” a corner off in a closet – someone’s going to see that as a refinishing shortcut, and it would be difficult to go back and do that properly. Always match the grit of paper to what you’re doing.
Once you have cleaned the floor thoroughly after the third sanding, you are ready to continue the refinishing process. You don’t want to have a window open where dust or dirt can blow in on your floor. If your stain or finish requires more than one coat, make sure you are allowing enough time for each coat to dry thoroughly. This is important and will ensure a smooth finish.
Never shake a can of stain or finish. This will avoid creating bubbles. Inspect the floor before you start to apply the stain or finish coat. Make sure you have completely sanded and processed any interior corners of the room. Check for any dust or debris that should be removed.
Your finishing materials should be either water based or oil based. This is a matter of personal preference and is basically an either-or choice. They should not be mixed. Water based products are the easiest clean up. Before you start applying your stain or finish, inspect your lamb’s wool applicator. If it’s picked up dust, sawdust or other debris, clean it off using some painters tape. Work the stain or finish in the direction of the flooring. Allow enough time for each coat to thoroughly dry.
If you are refinishing wood floorings with oil based products, use a respirator when you apply them and clean your tools properly between coats. Oil based products are a fire hazard. Hang them outside to dry and then dispose of safely. Manufactures will often include instructions for this in the packaging.
Between each coat of stain or finish, do a light sanding with a 220 grit paper or screen. Take your time with the final fine grit screening for both the stain and finish and overlap your passes. Once your floor is thoroughly dry, reinstall any moldings.
One of the advantages of wood floorings is their longevity and the ability to refinish then when needed. When you are finished, you ready to carefully replace your rugs and furnishings and enjoy the efforts of your refinishing project.
Contact Brucke Flooring Today
Whether you need help installing a new wood floor in Tulsa, or you’d like our assistance refinishing wood floors installed on the premises many years ago, we welcome the opportunity to serve you. Brucke Flooring of Tulsa has extensive experience working with a variety of different types of hardwoods, finishes, stains, and floor polishes. We specialize in this type of popular flooring.
Contact Brucke Wood Flooring of Tulsa now at +1 (918) 599-8100, to schedule a convenient appointment. We look forward to discussing your household’s flooring needs with you soon!
Brucke Flooring of Tulsa
Contact Brucke Wood Flooring in Tulsa, Oklahoma today and let our capable and knowledgeable wood flooring staff assist you. Brucke Flooring prioritizes the highest quality hardwood flooring and we specialize in refinishing, restoring and installing wood floors in Tulsa.
Also read: Benefits of choosing a professional flooring company over the do-it-yoursellf method,
If your home is in need of professional hardwood floor refinishing services, contact the Tulsa floor refinishing experts today!