HARDWOOD FLOORING TIPS

If you just had your hardwood floors sanded and refinished or a new pre-finish install, here are a few tips to help keep them looking new!

DO:

  • Once the refinishing/finishing has bee completed, wait 24 hours before walking sock footed onto your floors.
  • Keeping your animals' nails trimmed will prevent them from scratching the finish.
  • Add felt floor protectors to the bottom of your furniture. Especially frequently moved pieces, chairs, tables, etc.
  • Fun fact: keeping baby socks on hand, is a great way to improvise in a pinch and on card tables and chairs!
  • Wait 3 weeks before putting area rugs on newly refinished/finished hardwood floors.
  • Wait 48 to 72 hours after the hardwood has been refinished/ finished before "PLACING" furniture back in its place.
  • Keep a steady temperature and humidity within your home. Dramatic swings in temperature will cause hardwood to shrink or to cup.
  • Sweep/dust and mop often. Leaving debris on your floor, dragged in from the outside, can cause unnecessary damage.
  • Use interior and exterior doormats at entrances to collect dirt and moisture.
  • Place runners and area rugs (with slip resistant backings) along high traffic areas.
  • Protect your floor from the direct sunlight.
  • Lightly damp mopping to clean. Use 1 to 2 cups of white distilled vinegar to a gallon of warm (not hot) water.
  • Wipe up spills immediately.
  • Change your furnace filters once the work is completed.

DON'T:

  • Allow water to stand on your floors for any length of time, wipe up immediately.
  • Walk across your floor in poorly maintained shoes with heel taps, spiked heels. Exposed spikes on hardwood floors create a lot of pressure that will lead to dents that can't be repaired.
  • Use oil or citrus-based cleaners. Over time, using these products will add a cloudy film to your hardwood floors.
  • Never steam mop!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long before I can walk on my refinished/finished hardwood floors?

On average, you can walk on the floors 24 hours after the application of the final coat. We recommend you wear socks only.

When can I move furniture back into the rooms?

Within 48 hours (the longer you can allow your floors to cure the better) you can "PLACE" or "SET" furniture back into the rooms. Never slide or scoot furniture across your hardwood floors. By doing so there is a great chance you will scratch them.

How long does it take to sand and refinish a hardwood floor?

Oil based polyurethane - length of time to refinish hardwood: It will mostly depend on how much square footage you have and if you are finishing the hardwood in it's natural color or applying a color of stain on them. In general, it will take anywhere from 2 to 6 days (plus drying time).

How long will it take for the floors to cure?

Oil-based urethane typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to be 100% cured. Keep in mind the climate inside and outside of your home plays a factor in this.

When can I put rugs down?

Until the curing time is complete, it is best to wait 3 weeks.

Can I remain in the home while the floors are being refinished/finished?

Once we apply the polyurethane and or stain, you will not be able to walk on the floor for the duration of the project and up to 24 hours after its completion. If anyone in the household has allergies, asthma, or C.O.P.D., we recommend they stay elsewhere while the work is being completed.

How dusty will my house get, do you use a dustless system?

We are sanding hardwood, so no this process is not dustless. There are bags on our sanders and edgers, and we attach the vacuum to the buffer. We will also hang plastic to either seal off the areas we are not working in or seal up the areas that we are. We do our best to keep the dust to a minimal!