You may recall our recent discussion of how to remove recalcitrant stains from area rugs. Today, we'll discuss the flip side; what lies beneath.
All of the floors in our house are refinished wood. The dining room has an area rug underneath the table. Unbeknownst to us the dogs liked the rug as well as we did. Removing the rug for cleaning, gave us our first glance at how deeply stained the floor beneath was.
After try a number of "guaranteed to work" home remedies, we called in the pros. The party line amongst floor guys is "Just cut out the bad part and replace the wood. It will be good as new. Won't cost too much either"
And so we did, or rather they did. Watching trained troops taking saws to your dining room floor is not for the timid, we working on faith preferred not to look.
In less than 2 hours the old was out and new was in. An hour after that the entire floor was sanded, vacuumed, wiped clean, matching stain mixed and applied.
After try a number of "guaranteed to work" home remedies, we called in the pros. The party line amongst floor guys is "Just cut out the bad part and replace the wood. It will be good as new. Won't cost too much either"
And so we did, or rather they did. Watching trained troops taking saws to your dining room floor is not for the timid, we working on faith preferred not to look.
In less than 2 hours the old was out and new was in. An hour after that the entire floor was sanded, vacuumed, wiped clean, matching stain mixed and applied.
The next day the sealer was rolled on.
Twenty four hours later came the final buff and polish.
The guys were right on all counts. With luck, one week from now we just may have the china cabinet back in place, its contents shiny and bright, the baseboards cleaned and touched up and the room ready for duty. The dogs are no longer welcome.Toad
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9 comments:
toad, been there and know what you've just gone through. refinishing floors is the most invasive process for the home owner but the results are usually fantastic. enjoy the floor and keep the pups away
Toad, having been in the wood floor business for 20 years I'm happy to say that you did it right. It can sure create some dust and be intrusive, but the results are worth it. Good luck. I have dogs but they are pretty good about going outside. Cats are the worst.
I tried sanding and refinishing my hardwood floors once. I'm not married anymore.
OP: What can I do to the other floors to restore their shine?
Unfortunately over the years they have been oversprayed with spray wax, been Murphied, been....
"In less than 2 hours the old was out and new was in. An hour after that the entire floor was sanded, vacuumed, wiped clean, matching stain mixed and applied. The next day the sealer was rolled on. Twenty four hours later came the final buff and polish."
I'm stunned, silenced. Wow.
They were so good you didn't even have to be brave. I don't know where else than Mayberry you'd get that kind of 24 hour service and performance.
Everytime I look at floors being refinished I think on one of my favorite paintings:
http://www.paris.com/paris_photo_tour/orsay_museum_art_collection/orsay_the_floor_scrapers_gustave_caillebotte
-F
they did my kitchen
I am guessing that they used a polyurethane finish and that the other floors are also poly. The advise I am giving is exactly worth what you paid for it, and is a complex mixture. One cap of white vinigar to a gallon of water. Damp mop, (meaning as much of the water as possible has been wrung from the mop)drying with a cotton towel. No Murphy's please. Your reputible floor store will also sell Bona cleaner. Good stuff. Use some, but not much else. dust frequently mop only when needed. enjoy. The look that follows is called patina and it is actually priceless as it is exclusive to your family. Oh, and enjoy and live on em. I know people who are afraid to walk on new floors. Pity.
Oh, Toad, if the buildup is pretty substantial you may need to get a buffing pad and a commerical buffer to deep clean the finish. The floor guys you used would be able to do that for you. They may want to add a new coat of poly if the finish is starting to go.
Thank you Old Polo, I'm hanging on your every word. I'd been in WalMart today and saw a Minwax product called Reviver Hardwood Floor Restorer, I didn't know what to make of it. I like the idea of vinegar + elbow investment much more than a bottled product.
-F
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