Why Timber Floor Sanding is Always Best Left to Professionals
Posted on: 22 June 2017
It's always recommended that you sand and refinish your home's timber floors on a regular basis; sanding will remove scratches and scuffs, as well as an old layer of finish that may be holding dirt and dust. After sanding, you can put down a fresh coat of sealant to help protect the floors. While floor sanding may seem like a simple job, there are some very good reasons why it's best left to a professional; note a few of those reasons here so you know how to take the best care of your home's flooring.
Pressure and weight of sander
Most rental sanders are very lightweight so that homeowners can easily manage them on their own, but this lighter weight means that you need to exert more effort to push the sander into the wood and remove old sealant, stains and paint. A professional will have a heavy-duty sander that does much of the work for them, making the job faster, and they will know how much pressure to apply so that they don't remove too much of that upper layer of timber. Wood floors can only be sanded so thin before the slats need replacing, so sanding too hard can mean a shorter lifespan for the timber, and an uneven surface as well.
When to change the paper
When you sand wood floors, you put pressure and wear on the sandpaper attached to the sander. The more you use the sander, the more worn down that paper gets, so eventually it doesn't work as well and needs replacing. A professional will know when and how to check that paper as he or she works and when to replace it so it's still effective.
Recoating
After floors are sanded, they need to be sealed, even if you plan on painting or staining those floors, as the sealant will protect the wood from moisture and termites. Knowing the right type of sealant to use can be difficult, as you need a sealant meant for that species of wood in particular, as well as for your home's environment. For example, if you live in a tropical area with lots of humidity, the sealant may need added protection against moisture, but if you live in a very dry area, the sealant may need added oils to keep the wood from becoming brittle. Applying that sealant can also be difficult; if it's too thick, it may hold dirt and debris, but if it's too thin, it won't protect the wood. Leave this job to a professional so you know your timber floors will always be protected.
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