'How to prepare your home for timber floor sanding and finishing.'

Tips for the Home Owner:

• If building or renovating, the start date for sanding and coating floors is critical particularly in relation to other trades.
• Carpentry, electrical, plastering, plumbing and glazing must be completed before work on the floor can commence.
• It is recommended that all painting except the final coat on skirting boards be completed before the floor is coated.
• Seal any access areas such as fireplaces and vents that could allow dust to enter the room – use masking tape and paper.
• Cover large windows to minimise excessive heat while the coating is drying.
• Carpets should be laid after all floor coating is finished.
• Gas and electrical appliances are to be disconnected by qualified personnel. All pilot lights (including hot water system) are to be turned off (solvent/oil based finishes only).
• Cover all non–moveable furnishings using paper, drop sheets or plastic (using masking tape to secure).
• Remove all pets from house.
• Remove all perishable food from house, including items stored in fridge/freezers and cupboards. This is not required when using water based finishes.

Things to be aware of*:

• Any silicone on a floor will cause rejection of subsequent coats. Silicone or silicone based products also include spray on ironing aids, Mr Sheen, fly spray etc.
• Halogen down lights can highlight sanding marks. Sanding is necessary in between coats for adhesion.
• You may get slight marking on skirting boards from contact with the Edger. That is why it is recommended to leave painting of skirtings until after the floors are finished.
• You are likely to get some variation in colour and grain between new and old boards.
• Modern sanding machinery is fitted with dust collecting equipment but it is impossible to totally eliminate all dust from the job. Some dust particles will settle on the finished surface, and there will be an amount of dust throughout the house.
• Removal of deep cuts or gouges from the floor is not possible.
• Some stains in boards and around nail holes such as water marks may still be visible.
• Gaps between boards are not always filled due to subsequent shrinkage and expansion of timber which can cause the filler to crack.

* Please use as a guide only and discuss these items with your floor sander as they are not related to the type of coating used.

For queries about the upcoming floor sanding project in your home, please call Enviropro on 1800 011 006. You can view the high performance, water based range of Enviropro finishes here.