Hardwood floors are timeless, staple features in any home. They enhance the home’s character, add an aesthetic appeal, and are considered to be very beautiful. One of the great qualities of these timber home refinements is they can be sanded and refinished time and time again to have them looking like new years later. However, there have been many horror stories of Do-It-Your projects gone wrong, so we are here to give you the official checklist of Do’s and Do Not’s for Refinishing Your Hardwood Flooring. Let’s take a look!
Do: Remove Baseboard, Trim, and Transitions
When beginning this project, it is best to remove all your baseboards and trim. Your sander needs to get into the corners and be as thorough as possible so to be safe, remove them all. You also will want to take off any transitions that are not being stained as well to avoid damaging them. When removing your trim, you can write numbers on the back and write the corresponding number on the walls to remember where they all go. This will help when you reinstall all the trim and quarter round.
Do Not: Buy a Sander; Rent One
Unless you plan on making a career of refinishing hardwood, it is probably in your best interest to rent a drum sander. You may want to get a couple of tools like an edging tool and scraper to help you get into the corner efficiently. Nothing can make a finished job look worse than uneven sanding in the corners and edges of the room. While sanding, you will want to make sure your whole space is evenly sanded.
Do: Get the Edges Thoroughly
Another common beginner mistake is not getting the corners evenly, as discussed in the last section. Uneven sanding can lead to uneven staining. You need to make sure that you have the same scrape and smooth glazed surface entirely throughout the room. Go back with 80 or 100 grit paper on the sand and edger to fine the room down evenly.
You will want to pay attention to detail when completing this task. It is essential to take into account all of the above factors and be sure to check out the rest of our series to find more tips on what to do and what not to do when refinishing your hardwood floors.
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