I just housebroke two puppies, so I can finally rip up those smelly rugs and begin to refinish my hardwood floors. My husband and I ripped up the carpet last night and took the tack strip off as well as all of the staples. I just banged down all of the nails that were coming up. Now, I know I’m supposed to sand the floor down, but I honestly don’t know how. My hubby left me the electric sander and sandpaper which I figured out how to put together – but have no idea how to use it. I know you have to turn it on, that parts obvious, but I don’t know how much pressure to apply with the sander. There are stains of paint and who knows what to sand out. Also, there is some buckling in some spots from water damage. Can that be sanded down and finished like the rest of the floor, or do those planks have to be replaced? I’m a novice, so any advice would be helpful – any advice!! Thanks so much.
On 03.06.10, In Q&A, By Admin
In regard to the water damage stains, you do not have to replace it, you need to use what called bleach, look for a local flooring supplier and get bleach, you may also want to get wood filer to fill in holes.
Make sure this wood not been sanded all the way down already.
A wood sender dose not require to put pressure for sending, you just send longer in area needed.
Check this web site if you don’t have any local supplier, I would call them and ask questions, http://www.academyfloor.com
Well, first of all, you shouldn’t have pounded the nails in. They should have been removed. When you go over the floor with the correct sander, (a drum sander, which you will need to rent), It will snag on the nails. At this point, you are best off taking a nail set and sinking them at least a quarter inch below the surface of the boards. You can putty them in later.
Next, the warped boards may need to be replaced, depending on how badly they are buckled. Without seeing them, I can only tell you that I would replace them, but that’s your call.
It would take you forever to sand the floor with a palm sander, or even a belt sander. Check a rental yard near you for a drum sander. You can also get the belts needed for it-a coarse belt, a medium, and a fine. The sander is not terribly difficult to operate, but you can’t let it sit in one spot or it will gouge the floor. Start with the coarse, sanding with the grain. Use the palm sander to go along the baseboards where the drum will not reach. After you finish the coarse, sweep the dust and repeat with the medium, then again with the fine. Sweep, them vacuum the floor and you are ready for stain. For best results, use a good quality oil-based stain. Apply, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a clean rag. After this dries (24 hours), you can putty the nail holes with matching wood putty. Using a quality oil-based polyurethane, apply with a lambs-wool applicator. Be sure to do the entire floor without stopping or you may have issues when you start up again. After this dries, scuff with 000 steel wool, then vacuum and apply another coat. Repeat for a 3rd coat and you will be done. Your floors will look great and last a long time. Hope this helps.
Screw down hardi-backer cement boards and install beautiful tile. Do it once!
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