411homerepair.com

Sanding Wooden Floors

by Magdalena Ehnes on Nov 30, 2011

One of the messiest jobs in decorating is sanding a wooden floor. The process may be messy, but the end results are worth all the hard work.  Follow these steps to transform your wooden floors.

Get prepared

Sanding will create more dust than you can imagine and it will get into every nook and cranny.  Clear the room of any items that aren’t nailed down, including pictures, curtains, the sofa, display cabinets, and the TV. Protect the rest of the house from dust infiltration by sealing the internal doors with masking tape.

Repair and replace

If any boards are rotten or damaged you should replace them before sanding.  Screw down any loose boards.  Nail them down along the edges of joists so the board sits flush on the floor. When screwing boards tight to the floor, the screws need to be at least 2mm below the surface.

If there any gaps, this will cause draughts. Either shift boards along to fill gaps, or if this isn’t possible, place slivers of timber in the gaps, gluing both sides and then hammer them into place.  Any minor areas of damage can be patched up with wood filler. Use a nail punch to push any raised nails down into the wood.

Sanding

Now the fun starts!  Work with the floor sander diagonally across the room.  For good condition boards, use medium grade sanding sheets, to begin with, if not, use the coarse grade sheets.

Keep the sander moving to stop any ruts forming.  Criss-cross the room in the opposite direction.  Switch to a medium grade paper and sand following the direction of the boards.  Finish with a fine grade paper.

For the edges, you’ll need around edging sander.  Again, start with coarse grade discs and work up to the finer grades.  To get the dirt out of the corners, use a chisel.

Cleaning and finishing

Vacuum and wipe the surfaces with cloth made damp with white-spirit. Work in stocking-ed feet to protect the unsealed floor. 

To finish you need to seal the freshly sanded wood with a varnish or paint.  Choose varnish appropriate for flooring.  Apply at least two coats, more for hallways and stairs.  Allow a drying time of at least 24 hours before bringing any of your furniture back into the room, particularly heavy items like sofas and chairs.

Latest Articles

How Much Does It Cost To Take A Bath​?

Plumbers know that a bath may seem like a relaxing luxury, but the real cost extends far beyond your water bill. The average soak uses 35 to 50...

on Apr 8, 2025

10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget

A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...

on Mar 25, 2025

Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas

Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...

on Mar 7, 2025

Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...

on Feb 18, 2025

Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan

When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...

on Jan 12, 2025

Sponsored Articles

Actions

More DIY Articles

Top 5 Repairs and Renovations that Help Your House Sell Fast

If you are a homeowner looking for a quick way to sell your home, the first thing you should probably do is take stock of the condition your home...

Real Estate / Finance

No Garage? Parking Solutions for Homes without Them

When searching for a new home, most often buyers will look for homes with garages. And many buyers are hoping to find a multiple-car garage. While...

Doors / Garages

14 Tips and Tricks to Help You Unpack Efficiently After Moving

Moving is in itself a monumental project taking a lot of planning and time. Once you have made it to your new home along with your belongings, a...

Real Estate / Finance

Understanding the Importance of Building Information Modeling

We can consider The Building Information Modeling to be the most successful leap in the history of Civil and Architectural Engineering and now, it...

Construction / Materials

Different Types of Home Driveways

There are a number of different types of driveways, and countless styles and colours to choose from. Whether you are installing a new driveway, or...

Construction / Materials

Contact Us | Submit Article | 411homerepair © 2025