Among all home renovation tasks, timber floor sanding appears to be one of the easiest ones. This means that, with some knowledge and a little experience, homeowners can do it themselves. As a homeowner, you can go for this challenge if you are confident and have the necessary equipment.
Otherwise, it is better to leave the job for the experts. Although floor sanding is fairly easy compared to other complicated renovation or hardwood floor jobs, it has its fair share of risks.
If you are a homeowner and want to sand the floor yourself, make sure you learn everything about sanding hardwood floors before proceeding.
Importance of Timber Floor Sanding
The key reason for sanding floors is to smooth them or level them. Both old and newly laid timber floors need to be levelled. To ensure the newly laid floor is levelled and makes a smooth and plain surface, sanding is needed. It is also a prerequisite for finishing. After that, you can proceed with applying the finish.
Old floors can be worn out, and there could be damages, dents, scratches, etc. In order to fix those problems and level the uneven surface, the floors need sanding. Moreover, sanding allows for the removal of the previous finish or wax, so that it becomes easier to level the floor.
Sanding the floor to level is extremely important. Otherwise, the uneven floor can collect dirt, and debris, damage the furniture, and make people trip or fall. In short, it can be a huge nuisance for a living space.
Moreover, sanding is a huge part of the restoration process of hardwood floors. It increases the lifespan of the floor and refinishing it after sanding enhances its appearance and condition to resemble its original form.
5 Considerable Factors for Timber Floor Sanding
Walls and floors are what make your house. It is better to have some knowledge about your house. Even if you decide to consult a floor sanding and polishing specialist, at least you need to have some knowledge about the job.
1. Estimating the Amount of Work
Before starting a job, one should estimate the amount of work they have to do and be prepared for it. Oftentimes, people assume a floor is in good condition which means there will be less work to do. That is not the case. In fact, it is the opposite.
When the floor is covered in wax, looks polished, and appears to be in a good condition, it will take more sanding.
Thick layers of wax mean you need to sand them down before you reach the actual timber. Once you sand away all the wax, then you can get into sanding them flat. Then again, more wax means more distortion to the woods which ends up taking a lot longer to smooth out.
2. Preparation for Sanding
There is some preparation involved for sanding. You cannot go straight into sanding your timber floor. First of all, make sure the area is clean. Try to get rid of any dirt or debris before you proceed to sand.
Secondly, you need to check whether there is any damage. It is crucial to fix any problem before sanding. You need to check for broken pieces, cracks, dents, etc. If you find any problem, you should fix it.
Lastly, you need to have all the necessary equipment in hand before getting started. You might need a vacuum, dust bag, soft bristles brushes, etc. for the cleaning process. Afterward, you will need a sanding machine, sandpaper, scraper, extension cord, clean clothes, etc.
3. Sanding by Hand vs. Sanding with Machine
Both sanding by hand and sanding with a machine have their pros and cons. You can choose a suitable option based on your available resources and your preference.
Sanding by hand allows you precision for your work. You can smoothly sand down the floor without much damage to the floor. Additionally, you can have better control of pressure if you sand by hand. That being said, sanding by hand can be extremely time-consuming, especially for a larger area. So, if the work area is big, it would be better not to choose sanding by hand.
On the contrary, using a sanding machine can be a lot easier and time-saving. You can also get several sanding options depending on the area you are willing to sand. For instance, a drum sander can be used to sand down a vast area, whereas a belt sander is more suitable for smaller spaces.
Nonetheless, you cannot get precision and control with sanding machines compared to hand sanding. Also, there is the risk of damage with machine sanding unless you are experienced with sanding machines or sanding timber floors.
4. Sanding Yourself vs. Hiring Professionals
You can choose to sand your timber floor yourself or you can hire a professional. Both options have some advantages and disadvantages.
For instance, if you decide to do it yourself, you need to understand the task, which means that you need some prior knowledge or experience. You need to have skills to some extent to do the job properly. You need to know how to use a sanding machine, or how to use sandpapers by hand.
Sanding a huge area can be time-consuming too. Above that, if you do it yourself and have no prior experience, it can take even longer. You need to be prepared for that. Also, you need to be very careful while sanding the sides of the walls or around the corners. There is a high possibility of the walls or the baseboards can get damaged if not handled with care. On the bright side, sanding timber floors yourself will be a cost-effective option.
Hiring a professional for sanding hardwood floors can be expensive. They will examine the space, and condition and charge you based on that. Nonetheless, it will be a lot more than the cost of doing it yourself. However, they will do a clean job of sanding and finishing.
As they are experienced, they can get the job done better and in less time. Moreover, if you want to increase the longevity of your wooden home, it is better to rely on experts. They can also advise you on the type of sandpaper or machines to use, how to maintain the floor afterward, and so on.
Even if you finally decide to do the job yourself, you should at least consult with an expert for useful advice for your house. They can be incredibly helpful by providing a work estimation, their evaluation, and requirements for the tasks.
5. Sandpaper Options
There are three types of sandpapers available. They are coarse, medium grits, and fine grits. You will need at least two if not all three types of sandpaper. All three sandpapers have different purposes in sanding wooden floors.
If your floor is worn out or you need to remove the old finish, you will need the coarse grit. It will allow us to effectively get rid of the previous finish. For floor restoration, or bringing back the shine off the floor, you need to use medium grit sandpaper. For this, you do not need too harsh sandpaper such as coarse grit.
No matter which one you use, you need to finish off with fine-grit sandpaper. After sanding, you need fine grit sandpaper to polish the floor.
Risks of Sanding Hardwood
There are plenty of risks involved with sanding timber floors. We have already mentioned a few, but there are some more that you should consider.
As we mentioned, if you choose to sand your floor yourself, you might damage the floor, the walls, the baseboards, etc. Sanding means you are removing a thin layer from the wooden floor, so overdoing it can weaken the floor and make them more prone to damage.
Sanding the floor will cause small wooden particles to float around the area. This can cause respiratory problems, allergies, etc. You need to wear protective gear, such as goggles, masks, etc.
If you are planning to renovate your apartment or a rental house, make sure to discuss it with your landlord or respective authority. There could be some restrictions for renovation. So, double-check any legally binding restrictions before proceeding to make any changes to the floor of the house or apartment.
Taking Care of Timber Floor
Once you are done sanding and finishing your floor, you will probably want it to be as good as new for the longest time. Taking proper care of timber floors can extend their lifespan a lot more. For that, you need to regularly clean your floor with a vacuum cleaner or sweep it. It will remove any dirt, debris, or dust from the floor.
If something spills on the floor, wipe it immediately with a clean damp cloth. Also, do it to remove any stain. Do not use any harsh chemicals or stain removers.
Use a protective sealant or finish on the floors. Apply it every few years to keep the floor protected and glossy as new. Do not put heavy furniture or other items on the floor until the sanding, and finishing is done and the sealant is completely dry.
Try to avoid exposing the timber floor to excessive humidity or moisture because such things can damage or deform the floor.
Lastly…
There is nothing more satisfying than renovating your own house the way you want. If you are confident enough or have the necessary resources and skill to sand the timber floor yourself, you should definitely give that a try. However, if you are sceptical about it, do not risk it. Hire a professional to do the job.
