You notice your hardwood floors are looking dull. There might be some scratches or cracks that make your house look unkempt. The high traffic areas creak as you walk through.
Is it time to have your hardwood floors refinished? At Elite Floors, our highly qualified professionals can answer any questions you have about the process of refinishing hardwood floors. Let us help you understand some of the necessary steps it takes to make your hardwood floors look beautiful again.
Preparation
At Elite Floors, we are familiar with hardwood floor refinishing and can detect areas that need extra attention. For example, stained or weakened wood might need a section replaced for a smooth, flawless finish. If the floor is creaking, nails might need fastening. We also apply wood filler to cracks or gouges before the sanding process.
Prepare for Dust
The top layer of your hardwood floors is sanded off, and even a top-notch sander with a vacuum attached, dust escapes and can leave a bit of a mess. You can tape plastic over wall hangings, vents, and windows to keep them clean throughout the process.
Plan to Vacate
Many people arrange to stay at a hotel or with family for a few days during the refinishing process.
You will have to take all of your furniture and belongings out of the rooms that need refinishing. Unless you live in a substantially large house and have plenty of storage for your belongings, it is likely that your kitchen will become cluttered with furniture from your family room.
Realistically, it becomes difficult to live in a small area of your house without stepping foot in the areas in need of work.
How Long will it Take?
After the floors have been sanded and cleaned, the first layer of stain is applied. It can take up to 24 hours to administer the second coat. Polyurethane is the last step in the refinishing process, and it can become extremely malodorous and dangerous to inhale. For an average job, it can take approximately four days from start to finish.
Should I Refinish My Floors on My Own?
It is not recommended to attempt to refinish your hardwood floors on your own. Quality floor refinishing companies are experienced with sanders and understand how to maneuver the machine without ruining the wood or overworking an area. Also, the polyurethane contains harmful chemicals that are unsafe if you don’t wear a quality respirator.
Choose the Right Company to do the Job
If you are researching companies to hire, it is important to make sure the company you choose:
- Has legitimate liability coverage. Most companies will have no problem showing you their insurance policy coverage if something goes wrong. It is important that they also carry a workers compensation plan.
- Uses quality products. You want your hardwood floors to last as long as possible, so it’s important to research top brands of stains and finishes. Make sure the company you choose gets their products from a reputable retailer.
- Delivers quality customer care. There’s nothing worse than dealing with poor customer service from the beginning. Call the company and speak to someone about the refinishing job. If they are pleasant, patient, and provide helpful information, you are one step closer to finding the right company to do the job.
It can be overwhelming to narrow down the right company to refinish your hardwood floors. If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas, give Elite Floors a call!.
