Floor Sanding FAQ's

Is it dusty?
No. Many people's only experience of floor sanding machines are very basic rental machines, often with paper bags to collect the dust. These machines are designed to withstand the rigours of the rental market and as such are a very crude, simple design. The professional sanding machines that we use are completely dust free. Any other power tools that we use are connected to powerful dust extractors while in operation. We also vacuum the floor several times during the sanding process. For more on dust control please click here.

How long will it take?
Never less than a full day. Large areas or multiple rooms may take several days. You will need to ensure that the area to be sanded will be free of traffic for this period. We will discuss approximate timings with you when we give you your free consultation.

Do I need to move the furniture?
Areas to be sanded need to be clear of all furniture before we start, as well as for 24 hours after the final coat of varnish is applied (to allow the seal to reach full strength). If you need help with this we can discuss it when we visit you.

Is it noisy?
The preparation (knocking in nails) and the sanding process is very noisy. The sanding machines we use have powerful electric motors and are far louder than ordinary D.I.Y. power tools. The manufacturers recommend that the operators wear ear protectors. Obviously the application of stains and varnishes is quiet, except maybe for some out of tune whistling!

Should I have my floors sanded before or after I decorate the rest of the room?
We prefer to be the last stage in the interior decoration process. It is much easier to remove sanding dust from a freshly painted wall (as long as it is completely dry) than it is to remove paint from a freshly finished wooden floor. Gravity prevails!

Do you use any harmful chemicals?
Unless otherwise requested, we use water based varnishes that are odour free and non-toxic. If gap-filling is required, then we will use a solvent based resin which needs careful handling. Good ventilation is important at this stage, as the fumes can be fairly strong.

What about dust mites?
Dust mites are considered to be the most common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. They thrive in our houses because in nature they are killed by predators and by exposure to direct sunrays. They love carpets and underlay because they can find protection in the depths from sunlight, predators and vacuum cleaners. A sanded wooden floor is as hospitable to a dust mite as the surface of the moon is to humans!

Why do you use a stain and a varnish? Why not use a coloured varnish?
We get asked this a lot. If you visit your local DIY super-mega-store, a lot of the floor varnishes on offer have a colour included, such as teak or oak. The advantage of this is basically time and convenience during application. The disadvantage is that, with each coat you apply, the colour changes and darkens. You are guessing what the final appearance will be. More importantly, as a coloured varnish wears with traffic, the colour starts to be affected immediately. With our process, the seal is protecting the wood and the colour stain, ensuring that the stain remains the same for many years. When we get to the staining stage, we can apply 2 or 3 different options to a small section of the floor for you to choose from. We simply sand these samples off once you have decided and apply your choice.

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