QA

Question: How Long After Refinishing Floors Can You Walk On Them

How long do I have to wait to use my room after my floors are refinished? We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on. Allow 48 hours before setting furniture and returning pets.

When can you put furniture back on refinished 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.

What happens if you walk on refinished hardwood floors?

The floor may be walked on after 24 hours, but remains susceptible to scuffing or marring until completely cured. Furniture can be moved back in carefully after 3 days. Do not replace area rugs until the floor has fully cured – 7 days.

When Can pets walk on refinished hardwood floors?

A: Cats can be on the floors after around 48 hours. Dogs on the other had, we recommend that they stay off the floors for up to two weeks. The reason being their nails can be harsh on the new finish while setting up.

Can you stay in your house while floors are refinished?

The strong scent of polyurethane and stain lingers in the atmosphere for very long and can kick-start a migraine any time or all the time. Even if it’s not causing migraines, it’s still uncomfortable to live in a house where the floor is being refinished and there are strong odors in the air.

When can you walk on polyurethane wood floors?

Fresh polyurethane can be walked on as soon as all signs of wet finish disappear. You may be able to walk on the floor as soon as two hours after applying WBP and eight hours after applying WBP. You should wait two days before moving furniture onto a floor finished with WBP — four days for OBP.

How long before you can walk on stained wood?

After cleaning up the inevitable dust with your shop vac and tack cloths, apply the second, final coat of sealer, then let it dry. You typically must wait 24 hours before being able to walk safely on the floor again, and as long as 72 hours before replacing furniture in the room.

How long after water-based polyurethane can you walk on floors?

Water, and essentially all liquids, can also damage your new floors. Thus, it’s best to wait until all coats have been applied and dried before walking through the room. After that final coat, your floors should be off-limits for 24 hours. This is the only way to avoid any damage.

Should hardwood floors feel rough after refinishing?

What Causes Newly Finished Hardwood Floor to Feel Rough? If a hardwood floor that you sanded and refinished with water-based polyurethane feels rough, the reason is likely one of the following: You didn’t use enough coats of polyurethane. You didn’t clean the floor well enough and there’s dust in the finish.

How long does floor varnish take to dry?

On average, you must wait at least 24 hours before you can move around lightly on your floor. On the other hand, if you’ve opted for an oil-based varnish, don’t move on your freshly restored floor for a period of 48 hours. In addition, high heels should be avoided, especially during the varnish cure time.

How long before you can walk on fast drying polyurethane?

When using water-based or fast-drying oil-based finish, you can walk on polyurethane wood floors with socks in 24 hours. After 7 days you can put heavy things on polyurethane wood floors.

How long does polyurethane last on hardwood floors?

What a new coat of polyurethane does is it adds another layer of protection to your floors, extending the life of the floors usually for another 3-5 years. Doing this every 4-6 years will prevent you from ever having to fully refinishing your floors again. Don’t wait until it is too late and “wear” begins to show.

How do you take care of newly refinished hardwood floors?

Immediate and On-going Instructions For Wood Floor Care Once They Have Been Refinished Do not reset any area rugs for 14-18 days. Do not use any cleaners for a period of 2-3 weeks, including water. Never use popular oil soaps, nor wax, acrylic, polish or carnauba shine restoring products.

Can I walk on stained floor before Poly?

Drying Times Cooler temperatures may slow the drying time by several hours. While stain brands recommend a drying time of 12 to 24 hours, allowing the floor to dry between 24 and 48 hours ensures that it is completely dry before applying the water-based polyurethane — especially when conditions are less than ideal.

How do you air out the floor after refinishing floors?

Use Fans. Use overhead fans, table fans, or place a box fan into a window and let it run for as long as necessary to help banish polyurethane fumes. This will help to promote air circulation and get the bad air out.

How long does polyurethane fumes last?

Some brands lay on thicker than others, which can affect dry times as well as cure times. Typically, as he mentioned, “full cure” (hardness) may not be reached for 10-14 days and the fumes will probably dissipate over the following 10-12 days. The smell can be around for anywhere from 3-6 weeks, however.