My project is scheduled in a few days, how do I prepare for my floor refinish?

Remove all furniture and debris from floors in the work area. It is not necessary to mop, but sweeping up larger debris is helpful. You may also want to remove items from the wall to a brush of the shoulder or dust build-up.

 

How do I care for my floors once they have been completed?

The best advice is to avoid cleaning with dripping mops. For more details see "Caring for Your Hardwood Floors".

 

Is there a way to reduce the noise level that hardwood floors make?

There are two noise issues with hardwood floors; squeaks and click-clack noises. The first, squeaks, can be caused by loose nails from the wood planks to the sub floor and is usually an issue with older floors. With time, wood expands and contracts, causing the nail holes to loosen up. The squeak that you hear is the nail going in and out of the loose hole when weight is applied to a particular area.

 

Squeaks can be minimized by adding nails, generally to the area where the floor joist would be.Wood is naturally great at carrying the sound of your footsteps. To reduce this noise, a insulation can be laid down before installing new flooring for about $.50 additional per square foot.

 

Should I leave my house while my floors are being refinished due to the smell?

The smell of oil-based polyurethane can be a little strong and may irritate people who are more sensitive to odors, but it is not harmful. If you are more sensitive, there are other options, such as water-based finish that do not have a strong odor.

 

What are the differences between water-based and oil-based polyurethane?

There are several differences between these two products. We use a commercial grade water-based product that does not amber (or yellow) with time like traditional oil-based poly does. Other benefits are that it has a quicker drying time (2 hours as opposed to 12), low odor and is very durable. Water-based does go on a little thinner than oil-based, but we use 4 coats instead of 3 coats.

 

The cost is about $.60/square foot more than oil-based, but may reduce your job time (and may possibly save you from staying at a hotel for a few days, if your entire living area is being refinished.)

 

When will I be able to walk on my freshly refinished floors?

We generally use 3 coats of oil-based polyurethane. Each coat will need 8 to 12 hours to dry enough to support foot traffic. Humidity can cause the drying time to be extended. If you feel that the floors are tacky, it's best to wait a while longer before walking on them. It's always best to avoid walking on your hardwood floors in high heels, especially within the first two weeks.

 

When can I put my furniture back?

The morning after the last coat of polyurethane has been applied allows the floors enough time to set for furniture to be put back.

Do not drag your furniture across the floors. It's best to wait 2 full weeks before laying down area rugs, because the finish is still curing in this time. Always use felt pads on the bottoms of any furniture that will be frequently moved, such as dining room chairs.