Preparing Wooden Floors For Sanding And Polishing | Expert Guide

Timber flooring is gorgeous, and lends a prestigious air to any deck or room. But as time passes, it’ll start to lose its once-perfect shine, and will need to be restored to bring it back to full glory. 

If you’ve already hired a professional for the job, you’re on the right track. In this article, we’ll explain what to do before you get your floor sanded and polished, so that the professionals can bring your timber flooring back to life without problems.

1. Ensure access to the site

If you’re unable to meet the flooring specialist before they start the job, you’ll need to leave a key in a secure place. Some flooring specialists will be able to organise a lock box, allowing you to leave the key safely, and provide access to your home.

In addition to leaving the key in a safe place, you’ll also need to ensure easy access to your home, to allow the flooring specialists to carry the heavy machinery required for sanding and polishing. Ideally, they should be able to park their vehicle directly outside your home.

2. Ensure adequate lighting and power

The flooring specialists you’ve hired will need lighting and power to sand and polish your flooring, so you’ll need to keep your home’s electricity on while they visit. If you’ve just purchased or sold the property, it’s important that you still have electricity available in your name, as otherwise the job can’t be completed.

3. Clear all furniture

All furniture such as sofas, dining sets, and wardrobes will need to be cleared from the room being polished. This includes the inside of any built-in cupboards, and anything else covering the floor (such as rugs).

4. Remove or cover items underneath the house

If your house is a Queenslander, or another type of property with a space underneath, you’ll need to ensure that all items are removed or covered, as liquid can drip through and ruin items. The last thing you want is your car to be peppered with dark brown polish.

5. Remove unsealed food

Flooring specialists use polyurethane as part of the polishing process, which can cling to nearby food and spoil it. For this reason, you’ll need to remove all unsealed food from your pantry and other storage areas, to prevent them from being tainted.

6. Check for staples, tacks, and smooth edges

Flooring can contain staples and tacks, which need to be removed before sanding and polishing starts. If the timber flooring is underneath carpet, you’ll also need to remove the carpet itself, including any smooth edges that are holding it in place. 

If you’re unsure how to do either of these, the specialists you’ve hired might be able to include the work as part of their quote.

If you’ve decided to get your flooring sanded and polished, but haven’t yet chosen a company, our flooring specialists have decades of experience with floor restoration, and can bring your timber flooring back to its best. 

Get in touch for a free quote today!