Restoring a wooden floor is one of the best ways to enhance the aesthetics and comfort of your home. The floor restoration helps address minor issues and potential safety hazards associated with uneven floors. However, homeowners often make common mistakes, especially when opting for a DIY (do-it-yourself) restoration. These mistakes reduce the effectiveness of the restoration process, and sometimes, they ruin the entire project. Hence, before hiring or starting a wooden floor restoration project, you must learn about the mistakes.
What are the Common Mistakes Homeowners Make During or Before a Wooden Floor Restoration?
Not Preparing Accurately
Preparing the floor before the restoration process is as important as preparing a canvas before drawing. It lays the foundation and ensures the success of the effort. Whether you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself, start by cleaning the floor. Relocate all the furniture in the room and remove all dust, dirt, and debris from the floor. This will prevent the sandpaper from getting clogged and ensure a smooth finish.
Once the floor is crystal clear, you will be able to identify any damage or other issues on the floor. Issues include damaged boards, gaps, or cracks. Repair them before starting the restoration process. Sanding over these damages can lead to a serious problem and, eventually, structural damage.
Selecting the Incorrect Sandpaper Grit
Choosing the correct sandpaper grit is one of the most crucial factors in the restoration process of wooden floors. This helps remove the old finish, making the floor smooth and even. Using grit that’s too coarse can cause deep scratches, while using grit that’s too fine can result in an uneven surface.
To prevent this issue, start with a coarser sandpaper grit, such as 36 or 40. It removes the old finish accurately and then switches to finer grits, such as 60, 80, and 100, to smooth out the surface.
Inadequate Sanding
Sanding is a tricky process. You must apply the correct pressure with precise technique to achieve the desired results. For example, sanding with extreme pressure and uneven motion can lead to an uneven floor. To avoid it, use consistent pressure and a back-and-forth motion.
Following the right direction is also crucial. Always sand in the direction of the wood grain to minimise damage to wood fibres; for the best results, take time to remove the old finish first. An old finish can cause the new finish to adhere poorly, resulting in an uneven appearance. If you are unsure about the sanding time (the floor required) or method, follow the manufacturer’s guide.
Applying Finish Incorrectly
Applying too much or too little finish is wrong and ruins the appearance. Start by applying a thin layer of finish, let it dry, and then add layers of quotes as needed. Are you struggling to understand how much time the floor will take to dry or the number of layers required to achieve a perfect finish? Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Wooden floor restoration can breathe new life into your floors and enhance your comfort. Nevertheless, avoiding these mistakes is crucial to getting optimal results. Additionally, you must use the right tools and safety guards for the desired outcome.
If you’re struggling to handle it on your own, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. At AJ Floor Care Ltd, we offer top-grade wooden floor restoration services at the most competitive price range. Our experts provide personalised restoration that complements your flower and boosts its longevity.
Contact us to schedule your restoration service today.