Restoring Old Floors
Mentally and Physically Preparing for Floor Restoration Job
- Preparing for the Inevitable
Dust
- Health Concerns Regarding the Floor Restoration Process
- Electrical Considerations for Our Machines
- Hidden Surprises When Preparing for Refinishing Floors
- Painting Rooms Before and After Your Floors Have Been Restored
- Protecting Your Floor
- Care of Your Polyurethane Floor
- Final Preparation Steps
Preparing for the Inevitable Dust
Floor surfacing--"sanding"--is dusty! Although our machines are self-vacuuming,
there is still a small amount of dust that accumulates on all surfaces that are
capable of collecting it - such as railings, pictures, knickknacks, etc. Most jobs
require at least 3 days although it is usually dry enough to walk on in the evenings.
Closed doors will prevent the spread of dust, and a sheet of plastic to cover areas
where doors are not applicable will significantly cut down the amount of cleanup.
Preparation for minimizing the spread of dust along with moving your furniture are your responsibilities, unless otherwise agreed upon. We will help with a few large items if they are emptied and ready to move.
Be aware that our dust may set off smoke detectors. Be sure to let us know if you are on a central system before create any unnecessary fire department trips.
Health Concerns Regarding the Floor Restoration Process
In addition to the dust, the finishing process creates vapors reminiscent of a "paint thinner smell." This warning should especially be heeded for any inhabitant who is pregnant or has existing breathing problems.
Electrical Considerations for Our Machines
Allow access to a source of 30 amps/220 volts (dryer plug or breaker box). Back to top
Hidden Surprises When Preparing for Refinishing Floors
Several older homes have beautiful wooden floors hiding under carpet or linoleum and are just waiting to be exposed and refinished. Some floors, however, will also need patching and repairing that, when finished, will still look beautiful. We are able to provide such work. If this is necessary, please let us know as early as possible (either before you tear up the carpet and linoleum or immediately after you have done so) so that we can factor such work into our good-faith estimate.
Repair solutions will differ depending on the size of the area that needs
repairing as well
as the type of wood that is already present. Examples of repair options for antiqued
pine floors, for example, include cutting and staining new pine boards to match
the antiqued boards or to use some of our antiqued boards that we purchase from
a vendor in Virginia. Regardless of the required work, we will work with you to
make the decisions that fit within your budgetary and aesthetic goals.
Painting Rooms Before and After Your Floors Have Been Restored
Room painting may be done before or after the floors are restored; however, a few things should be considered: (a) most painters – myself included – would rather do 90% of the painting first, leaving the final coat on trim and a small amount of touch up to be done after the floors. This will reduce the risk of paint staining the floor; (b) SPRAY-PAINTERS MUST COVER THE FLOORS COMPLETELY IN ALL CASES
Protecting Your Floor
After the work is completed, give the floors a day or two (24 to 48 hours) to cure and attach "floor protector pads" to chair and table legs on anything that sits or slides directly on the wood floor. We carry a complete line of floor protector pads. Just ask for them. Back to top
Care of Your Polyurethane Floor
Remember, your polyurethane
finish is a NON -WAX finish. DO NOT APPLY WAX or any product containing wax or oil
such as Liquid Gold or Murphy’s Oil Soap. Instead use a vacuum or SLIGHTLY
damp mop or cloth to clean everything OFF the floor and avoid anything that you
APPLY TO the floor. Use products that specifically are made for "Non-Wax wood
floors" – THAT WAY THE FLOORS CAN EASILY BE RECOATED when they begin
to show wear – and will save you time and money to keep them looking at their
best!! For more information on floor care, link to "Caring for Your New Floors".
Final Preparation Steps
Empty the areas of furniture and debris, and START GETTING EXCITED – BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE YOUR NEW FLOORS!!!
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