Any house would benefit from hardwood flooring, but over time, wear and tear can cause them to lose their gloss. One great approach to increase the lifetime of hardwood flooring and restore its beauty is refinishing hardwood floors. Although hiring experts is always a choice, many Kansas City and surrounding residents, including Overland Park, Platte City, and Lenexa, choose to tackle this project personally. These ideas will help make sure your hardwood flooring looks great once more if you intend to do a DIY refinishing job.
1. Assess the Condition of Your Floors
Before you begin, determine if DIY hardwood floor refinishing is sufficient for your needs or if professional services are required for a full refinishing. Deep scratches, discoloration, or a worn-out finish on your floors typically indicate that refinishing hardwood floors is necessary for a complete restoration. Still, small surface problems can usually be fixed without sanding.
2. Choose the Right Equipment
Refinishing calls for a drum sander, edger, and orbital sander, among other specific tools. Local hardware stores in Johnson County or Gladstone sometimes rent these tools. A good, even finish depends on using the correct tools to avoid damaging the wood.
3. Prepare the Room
Clear the area of all furniture, rugs, and décor. Plastic sheeting will help you seal vents and doors to stop dust from spreading about your house. Proper planning for hardwood floor refinishing services can minimize future cleanup and help save time by ensuring the project runs smoothly.
4. Sand the Floors
The most important stage in refinishing hardwood flooring is carefully sanding. Remove the old finish and smooth out flaws, starting with coarse-grit sandpaper. For a polished surface, work your way progressively toward finer grits. To prevent scratches, sand toward the wood grain.
5. Handle the Edges Carefully
Room corners and edges can be challenging. Sand sections the drum sander cannot access using an edger. Pay especially close attention to corners since uneven sanding can compromise the final finish.
6. Clean Up Dust Completely
Sanding dust can cause problems when applying stain and finish. To achieve a flawless finish, make sure to clean thoroughly after sanding; this is particularly important if you’re wondering how long does it take to refinish hardwood floors, as proper preparation can speed up the process. This stage guarantees a perfect, fault-free finish.
7. Apply Stain Evenly
Apply the stain in small areas on your hardwood flooring using a clean cloth or brush if you are adding color. Right away, wipe off extra stain to prevent streaks. To be sure the stain matches your intended look, test it on a small area first.
8. Use a Durable Finish
Stain the wood, then seal it with a protective finish. A popular choice because of its longevity is polyurethane. For hectic homes in Shawnee or Parkville, water-based finishes are a great choice since they dry fast and release less smells.
9. Allow Proper Drying Time
Between coats let the stain and finish dry totally. Use the manufacturer’s directions on drying times to avoid uneven application or smudging. Before putting furniture back in the room, plan at least 24 hours of drying.
10. Maintain Your Floors Post-Refinishing
After refinishing hardwood flooring, cover furniture with felt pads and maintain regular microfiber mop cleaning of the floor. Steer clear of strong chemicals that might ruin the finish and maintain an immaculate floor appearance.
Conclusion
One satisfying project that gives your house’s inside fresh life is refinishing hardwood floors. Professional-looking results are within reach with appropriate tools, careful attention to detail, and good preparation. These ideas will help homeowners in Kansas City and surrounding areas negotiate every stage of the process.
Not ready to tackle the job yourself? Contact Flooring Butler today for expert refinishing services to restore your floors to their original beauty!