What is Floor Sanding?
Floor sanding is the process of smoothing the surface of a wooden floor using abrasives. It is not rocket science but good to know the procedure so that the first thing comes first. Sand flooring involves three stages; first is preparation, then sanding, and finally coating with a sealant. Although this can be done by hand, there are improvised machines that have been designed to make sand flooring easier.
Floor sanding machines
These are machines designed to make sand flooring easier. Most of the material on the wooden floor is removed by drum sander and belt, the remaining parts of the floor where the drum sanders cannot do can be done with edge sanding and finishing machines.
Preparing the Timber Floors for Sanding
Before sanding, start with first things first because sand flooring comes last. The following are steps recommended for you to follow during the procedure.
- Do all the prerequisites first
- Remove all the floor coverings from all the floors to be sanded
- Cover all the rooms so that no dust goes in or out of the finished floors. Make sure you seal all the rooms’ openings
- Plugin the power outlet to your machine ready for the works.
- Ants are attracted to polyurethane, so treat the wooden floor with pest killers before sanding starts
- Consider alternative accommodation arrangements because you won’t bear the smell of strong fumes if you will consider using toxic coatings to your floors.
Sanding Process
Use specialised sanding machines to complete the sanding job, on hard to reach corners of the floor use a special edger to complete the job. After the sanding process, remove the dust by using a vacuum machine and later start polishing your floors. After polishing the timber floor is left to dry for a few days. There are three options to apply your finishing; between water-based, solvent-based and oil-based. Choosing the polishing product for your sanded floor is vital.
Why floor sanding is important?
Why get your floors sanded? Here are the reasons:
- Sanding clears the floor of any particles that may damage the finishing of the floor, thus making it resistant against wear and tear from environmental elements. It also gives an impressive glossy look on the surface, it creates a beautiful vintage and very popular in many offices and homes.
- After polishing sometimes, chemical agents may dry up leaving rough and coarse texture on the floor which is unsightly to you and your home visitors.
- Other ways have been designed which do not use sandpaper at all. This technique is aimed at improving the quality of your floor.
- Sanding before applying the actual finishing will help remove particles that would hinder the successful absorption of chemicals effectively for optimum protection against decay and rotting of wooden floors.
- Longevity is one feature adored by many, the ability of a floor to last too long saves you effort and money for a total overhaul of your floors or floor restoration.
So, if you have been considering sanding your floors, it is high time to seek professional experts’ assistance, up until now you can see that the sanding job is not for inexperienced after all. So looking for an expert is an issue again! Stop and don’t fret anymore, there are flooring experts near you, and I promise you they won’t drain your account!
