Getting started with floor sanding

Would you like a DIY project? Have you thought about sanding a floor? Read on!

Wooden flooring is very popular, but not all wooden floors can be sanded. If you have a laminate-type floor, you are out of luck. The surface is only a few millimetres thick and is made of formica, or similar, over chipboard or MDF (medium-density fibreboard). In a building with original floorboards, sanding and lacquering can return them to a fantastic appearance. With a few rugs scattered on the floor, it can be very stylish indeed.

Here are a few tips for getting ready to start on a floor sanding project:

Speak with your neighbours about the work. This is because an electric floor sander is very noisy. You need to let them know when you intend to do the work, ensuring it is in daytime. An average floor can be sanded over a weekend.

Prepare the floor before you sand it!  Ensure the room is empty of furniture if at all possible. Check the condition of the floorboards and fix them up as necessary (replace rotten boards with other old boards; ensure all nail heads are well tapped down, screw down loose boards, fill any gaps with suitable material, and so on).

You will probably need to hire an electric sander (most people don’t own one), but you may not realise you need two, a large sander for most of the floor, and an EDGE sander, which has a smaller head for reaching right up to the skirting boards.

It is important to seal around the door, as it will be closed whilst you sand the floor and you don’t want dust to get into other rooms (if at all possible). Masking tape is useful for sealing the door frame temporarily.  It can help to have any outside window fully open, for ventilation.

It’s also a good idea to wear overalls with a tightly closed neck and straps to seal the arms and legs for the same reason. Dust is SO itchy! You must also wear a mask to protect your eyes and lungs.

Oh, and ensure you have everything you need INSIDE the room before you seal the doorway!

So, how do you actually sand a floor? That is in another article.