Floor Sanding - Facts vs. Myths

Floors are the most vital element of the house. Thus, it ought to be looked after legitimately. One of the most luxurious and elegant floor covering is – Wood floors. Though, they are easy to clean and maintain; they can become scuffed, marked and dull over years of use. One of the best ways to restore it is floor sanding.

Floor sanding helps in eradicating the top surface of a wooden floor by using sandpaper along with coarse materials. This is one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly option to give your house a complete makeover. Here’s our blog post on how floor sanding & polishing can maintain your floor.

But before you hire a floor sanding contractor to sand the decks and floors of your Melbourne home, it’s advisable to know about some of the common myths related to floor sanding circulating out there. Separating fact from myths is the certain way of avoiding being scammed. The techniques used in floor sanding differ to a certain degree. Thus, you would be surprised to get two-three opinions from different floor sanding contractors and they’ll tell you different things.

Important Floor Sanding Myths That You Need To Consider:

Myth 1: Floor Sanding is Simply about Sanding Floors

Fact: Most of the people usually believe that floor sanding is all about sanding hardwood floors. But, that’s not the truth. Floor sanding is altogether a huge process. Before sanding,

A contractor will drive nails at the wood level
Fill dents and holes with wood fillers
Replace broken floorboards

A professional contractor will commence sanding only when the above-mentioned tasks have been completed. Once the sanding is completed, the contractor will apply a quality finish of your choice. They will ensure that your floor is properly sealed against moisture damage.

Myth 2: The Process Can Be Dustless

Fact: If a contractor tells you that their floor sanding process will be dust free, they are probably lying. With the technological advancement, they are equipment that can significantly cut down the tidy, but it has its limitations. It’s not really possible to have a dust free project. Contractors quoting “A 100% dust free and clean process” are fairly making a false claim.

Myth 3: Floors Need To Be Recoat Every Now And Then

Fact: This is another common lie that is being tossed around by the contractors. They suggest that recoating should be applied every two to three years to keep the floor looking their best. But the fact is that as long as you use high-quality finishes to coat your floor, it can last up to 10-20 years without any need for another sanding session.

Beware of the contractors that tell you to recoat your floor every now and then; they are simply trying to scam you in spending more than required.

Myth 4: The Coating has nothing to do with the Flooring’s Durability

Fact: It’s really the inverse. The type of the floor finish determines the durability of the floor. While some finishes are sturdier than other, if properly applied, they can last a long time. Ensure that your contractor:

Applies the proper number of coats
Doesn’t combine incompatible stains and finishes
Allows adequate drying time between coats
Always buffs between coats

Following above-mentioned things ensures that your floor won’t need refinishing.

Myth 5: Stains Don’t Need To Comply With the Finish

Fact: This is one of the most significant mistakes most contractors make. Many contractors apply the water-based finish on top of oil-based stains on the same day and envision that it will adjust to each other.

There is no denying that great stains and finishes are required for the result to last. Thus, if you decide to stain your floor, ensure that the contractor uses compatible stains and finishes. Moreover, make sure that the contractor takes the necessary steps to ensure proper bonding between the two.

It is highly advisable to wait for a minimum of 24 hours between the applications. Combining two incompatible products will cause the finish to peel off, sooner or later. The only way to fix this issue is re-sanding the floor.

Myth 6: Floor can’t be sanded if the Nail Heads are Visible

Fact: Hardwood flooring can be sanded only a couple of times in its entire lifespan. Once its wear layer has been sanded off, you can no longer sand it, or else, you’ll risk damaging your floor. Also, many times, improper floor installation or a weak underlayment also leads the floor to start moving and some will push themselves up. Having visible nail heads indicates that there is no more sanding left on the floor.

However, just because the nail heads are visible doesn’t mean that the floor can no longer be sanded. Dishonest contractors will take advantage and try to convince you to opt for complete floor replacement. Beware of such false claims. Always ask your contractor for more proof before accepting to remove the floor.

Myth 7: There’s No Harm from Sanded Hardwood

Fact: Improperly executed sanding projects can put your house in danger, particularly fire perils. In order to avoid such hazardous problems, make certain to follow the below steps:

Ensure that the belt sander is properly associated with the wire box.
Make certain that the contractor empties all the bags from the sanding tools and move the filled garbage bags outside the house at the end of the day
Don’t permit your contractor to smoke in the premise
Stop the water heater pilot

Conclusion:

Don’t allow the above-mentioned myths prevent you from having a positive floor sanding experience. Finding a right contractor for floor sanding in Melbourne just requires a bit of research and distinguishes fact from fiction. Ultimately, it depends on your decision that guarantees the success or failure in the project.

Debunking 7 Common Myths about Floor Sanding