5 Things You Need To Know Before Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Despite their toughness and striking beauty, hardwood floors will experience inevitable wear
and tear over their lifespan. Fortunately, any accidental damage from scratches, spills, dirt or
shifting furniture can easily be fixed by sanding and refinishing your hardwood floors.
If you’re considering hiring someone to rejuvenate your hardwood floors, here’s some advice
to ensure your hardwood floors receive the best care.

#1 How Do I Choose A Flooring Professional?

We recommend:

• Make sure your flooring professional is licensed with the QBCC and a member of ATFA (Australian Timber Flooring Association)
• Researching the market to create a shortlist of flooring professionals
• Checking out testimonials and examining their portfolio of work
• Asking questions about their process

#2 When Is The Best Time To Refinish My Hardwood Floors?

If sanding and refinishing your hardwood floors is part of a larger home renovation project, it
may be best to save this flooring work for the final task.

During high humidity and rain, it will naturally take longer for the new finish to dry. Why?

Timber is a porous material, and once the old finish is stripped away, your floor will absorb
moisture quickly.

#3 Living In My House While The Refinishing Work Is Done

Here’s what to expect:

• Clear all furniture from the room: You will need to clear all furniture from the room. The job can only start once the room is fully vacant.
• You will need to plan ahead: This room will be unusable for a few days while the sanding and refinishing work is completed. You will need to plan how you will navigate around your home during this time.
• Punching: your professional will punch and putty nails
• Sanding: Your flooring professional will start by sanding the old finish off the floors and repairing any damaged areas. The sanding process is coarse, then medium and fine.
• Removing dust: Once the sanding is finished, the contractor will clear all dust from the floors. This can involve using noisy equipment.
• Coating: Your contractor will then apply three or more layers of polyurethane coating to protect the finish. These coats can initially release a strong odour until they set.
• After the coating is applied: Although you may walk on your floors after the initial curing process, it is best to take certain precautions until the coating has fully hardened. Depending on the coating and weather conditions at the time of application, this can take several days to several weeks.
• Ongoing maintenance: To avoid scratching your floors in future, purchase rugs with rubberised, no-slip bottoms for all entryways into the room and if you have pets, keep their nails trimmed.

#4 How Can I Deep Clean My Hardwood Floors?

Every so often, your hardwood floor will benefit from a good deep cleaning to keep it in tip-
top condition. Here’s how to deep clean your floor:

• Thoroughly sweep your hardwood floors with a soft bristle broom. Avoid stiff bristles, as these can scratch your timber.
• Vacuum hard to reach dirt from the room corners and in between floorboards.
• Mop using a micro cloth and concentrated cleaner formulated for hardwood floors.

#5 How Often Should I Clean My Floors?

In general, aim to surface clean your hardwood floors three times per week with a vacuum or
micro cloth. Deep clean your floors once a month with a timber floor cleaner.

Final Thoughts

Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors is a great way to unlock your timber floor’s beauty
and give it a second life.

Need help with sanding and refinishing hardwood floors? We can help! Contact the experts at Brisbane’s Finest Floors today on 0411 220 488.