QA

Question: How To Use A Floor Sander

How difficult is it to use a floor sander?

There’s really no getting around it – sanding your floors is hard work and physically tiring. Mostly, this is down to the floorboards not being completely flat which means that the drum of the floor sanding machine won’t be able to reach all areas of the floorboards in one go.

How long does it take to sand a floor with a floor sander?

So how long does it take to sand a floor? If you’re using both the electric sander and the edger in 140 square-foot floor space, it will take you roughly 5 hours to do three sanding passes. Another thing you must take into account is how old your house is.

Are my floorboards suitable for sanding?

If your floorboards are ‘just’ dirty or have a thin coat of paint on them, starting to sand with 24 grit sandpaper should be sufficient. If your floorboards are really uneven or painted in a thick coat of paint, you will probably be best starting to sand your floors with 16 grit paper.

Can you sand floors with a hand sander?

The palm sander is definitely the most common tool for sanding a wooden floor by hand. Use it with a coarser sandpaper grit for a lot of efficiency and quick results. Palm sanders also have a square edge, which means you can sand right into the corners of the floor.

How many times should you sand floors?

Generally, you should do sanding after 10, 15, or 20 years from the time of installation. After that, you can sand it after every 10 years. The number of times you can sand your hardwood floor in its lifetime depends on how thick the solid or top layer of the engineered flooring is.

How long before you can put furniture on refinished hardwood 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.

Will a floor sander remove paint?

Floor Sanding Drum sanders are capable of ripping off even the most stubborn paint from wood floors. This also means that they are capable of stripping off much of the wood from the floor or gouging it.

Should I mop floor before sanding?

Mineral spirits Sweeping with a broom or dusting with a dry mop can leave behind small, fine dust particles that should be cleaned before refinishing a hardwood floor. Mopping with water will be risky to the unprotected wood.

Can you walk on freshly sanded floors?

At a minimum, you should wait at least 24 hrs before walking on the floors; for hours 24-48, it’s best to wear socks only (no shoes, no bare feet). Ideally, you should wait a total of 4 days before moving furniture back. This is to allow enough time for the floors to dry and cure.

How long will it take to sand a floor?

How long does it take to sand a floor? It can take 1-5 days for a professional and 2-15 days for a DIY enthusiast, depending on the size and condition of the floor. For planning purposes, it would take 1-day per room for a professional and 2 days per room for a homeowner doing DIY.

How do you get sandpaper to stay on a floor sander?

Set the base of the machine directly on top of the sandpaper and pad. The weight of the machine keeps the sandpaper in place; there is no need for adhesives or fasteners. The edges of the base should align with the sandpaper and pad, so adjust the position of the machine as necessary.

Is floor sanding worth it?

Sanding not only removes existing damage but also prevents the appearance of new issues. There are tonnes of problems which can affect a wooden floor but making sure everything is safe and works properly, can one day save us a lot of future headaches. A smooth surface is a clean surface.

Does floor sanding create a lot of dust?

Do expect dust Yes, when you are sanding the floors, dust is created. That is just part of the process and there is no way around it. However, there are some ways to minimize it. We always put plastic around the areas not being done, and our machines are good at collecting a lot of the dust.

How many sanding sheets does it take to sand a floor?

How long does it take to sand a floor? It’s hard to say without knowing the size and condition of your flooring. But with the right tools (like a drum sander and edger), you should do three sanding passes in an average-sized living room or bedroom in a day.

What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?

Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.

How do you refinish a 100 year old floor?

Refinishing 100 (plus) year-old hardwood floors Step 1 // prep. Empty the room and prepare for dust onslaught. Step 2 // drum sander. Step 3 // clean the dust. Step 4 // fill. Step 5 // orbital sanders. Step 6 // clean. Step 7 // stain (optional) Step 8 // first poly coat.

How do you sand uneven hardwood floors?

Coarse sanding (cont’d) Start to the left of the room and sand in the direction of the wood. If the floor is very uneven, we recommend to sand diagonally. Walk slowly forward and lift the drum gently as you reach the wall. Lower the drum again and return in the same path that you sanded.