Hardwood floors are the defining feature that draws so many of us to old houses. No matter what the age of the house is, the type of wood used or the design, these floors provide a character, warmth, and value. If you own an old home, then you should know that refinishing the floor can invoke new life into your house. This is because our old houses tend to be subject to of a great deal of abuse. The floor inevitably become dirty, stained, scratched and completely worn-out, a far cry from the once gleaming and flawless state just after the installation. In the olden times refinishing floor was done when the original finish had completely worn off or if the owners could not stand the sight of their old floor. Today there could be any number of reasons for you to get your wooden floor refinished. From removing the paint stains to sealing the cracks that might have developed or to just remove the paw stains brought about by your pets, if you have a reason to make your old hardwood floor look new then you should not hesitate for a bit.
Recoating the floor v/s refinishingfloor
Many a times completely overhauling the finish is not required even if the floor installation was done many years ago. It is not always for the sake of beautification that homeowners decide to do something about their floor. A simple finish protects the wood from newly opened pores that will ultimately allow dust, water, spills, etc. to seep in. Denting and scratching is another major cause that warrants something to be done. Recoating the floor is one solution that simply adds a new protective layer which adheres to the previous one. This process is fast, easy and safe when compared to refinishing floor however, it carries with it its own limitations just like any other substitute. Any problem that is present in the wood itself cannot be solved through this.
Steps involved in refinishingfloor like a pro
There are six steps that you need to perform before you can apply a new finish to your old hardwood floor. These are as follows:
- Empty the room completely to expose the entirety of the wooden flooring. This will reveal all flaws at once.
- Make the necessary repairs to the visible damage as much as possible. Fill deep scratches and drive back exposed nails to begin with.
- Clean the floor completely. To remove any contaminants that might hinder when refinishingfloor work is carried out like grease, grime, wax bits, floor polish, etc.
- Dry out the floor with a soft cloth and leave it overnight to allow for the moisture to evaporate.
- Scuff the entire floor to create tiny scratches that will help the new finish to latch onto the old one.
- Remove all the dust using a vacuum so that there is no residue behind. Dust is the enemy of new finishes and will make the refinishing work harder.
After completing all the above-mentioned steps, the areas will be ready for refinishing floor job to be carried out. You must remember though that the floor will need ample amount of time for the coats to dry out completely and thereafter harden. The finish might dry out in a matter of minutes however, there is a week’s time involved for it to reach its full hardness. It is advisable to bring in the rugs and the furniture at least three days after the refinishing job and to completely avoid walking on the floors with the shoes on during that period. Any pets that might be loitering around need to be kept away from the floor for a week’s time.
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