Customer Guide
SANDING AND COATING OF TIMBER FLOORS
- Read this important information carefully to assist you in preparation for your floor sanding and finishing job.
Preparation For Sanding & Coating
• If building or renovating, it is best to sand and polish your floors after other trades have finished.
• Avoid any silicone or silicone based product / spray coming into contact with the timber floor as it will cause rejection of the coating. Silicone is often found on the footwear of plumbers and glaziers and other tradesmen. Silicone or silicone based products also include Fabulon, hair spray, fly spray etc. and should be avoided at all costs.
• Gas and electrical appliances are to be disconnected by qualified personnel and removed if work is required under them.
• Freestanding dishwashers or stoves also need to be disconnected in effected areas.
• All pilot lights inside the house (including hot water system) are to be turned off if solvent based polyurethane is used as it is flammable.
• It is recommended that all painting except the final coat on skirting boards be completed. The final coat can be applied to the skirting boards after completion of the floors.
• It is the customers responsibility to remove all furniture from the area to be worked on prior to our arrival. Also remove any breakable objects on shelves or walls, such as paintings, photos, or clocks etc.
• Unless specifically agreed to and quoted for, all floor coverings including staples, tacks and carpet gripper etc should be removed.
• Adequate lighting and power to be available. (240 volt) We do not use generators.
• Provide for clear and safe access to the site.
• New carpets should be laid after the timber floors are finished.
• In many instances arrangements should be made for alternative accommodation, bearing in mind the wet floor areas which cannot be walked on and the likelihood of strong fumes if using solvent based polyurethane.
• If using a solvent based polyurethane coating, due to the high toxicity, it is highly recommended that you vacate the premises for at least 24 hours and up to 14 days after the final coating is applied, especially for pregnant women, young children and anyone with allergies or respiratory problems such as asthma. (Non toxic coatings are available).
• Seal any access areas such as fireplaces and vents that could allow dust to enter the room.
• Curtains and drapes should be up off the floor. Fold them into garbage bags and seal at the top or hang them up with a coat hanger or remove.
• Cover all non-moveable furnishings.
What You Can Expect When Your Floors Are Professionally Coated
Do expect:
- Sanding and polishing a timber floor is a skill acquired over many years. Bear in mind that as all work is done by hand controlled machines and applicators, there will be evidence of this in the floor.
- A comprehensive quote detailing all work to be carried out.
- A thorough explanation of the work to be carried out at the time of quote.
- Expert quality sanding and coating.
- All visible nails punched and filled using appropriate colour putty.
- All knot holes and gaps at end of boards filled with appropriate colour putty.
- Some variation in colour and grain between new and old boards.
- Black Japanning or stain around perimeter of some older floors may produce a finished floor with a two tone effect.
- Movement in timber floors. All timber floors will expand and contract according to the change in its environment. This is quite normal and to be expected.
- A coating that will provide many years of beauty providing it is properly maintained. (Refer to Floor Care).
What not to expect:
- A completely dust free finish. It is impossible to have a totally dust free environment. There will always be some dust particles (and possibly insects) in the air that may settle on the wet coating. These small dust particles that appear in the finished floor surface will eventually wear off in traffic areas.
- Removal of deep cuts or gouges in the boards such as those from carpet trimming knives. They will often appear darker after sanding and coating.
- Removal of all stains by the sanding process. Animal urine stains and water stains within the boards and around nail holes are often impossible to successfully sand out. They will appear darker after coating.
- Filling gaps between the boards. These gaps are not filled because subsequent shrinkage and expansion in the timber will cause cracking in the filler.
- Do not expect boards damaged by borer to have the same gloss level as those in good condition.
- Do not expect any areas filled with putty to have the same feel as the timber after application of coatings.
Things you should be aware of:
- 12 volt downlights may produce a cobweb effect on the coatings.
- You may get markings on skirting boards from contact with the edger machine. That is why it is recommended to leave the final coat of paint on the skirtings until after the floors are finished.
- It is important to keep doors and windows closed while coating is drying. Resist the temptation to open the door to have a look!
- We cannot be held responsible for dust, fibres or insects which may settle in the coating while drying. There will always be some atmospheric dust particles that settle on the newly finished surface.
- There may be some dust throughout the rest of the house.
Important Guidelines For Newly Coated Floor:
- Most floor coatings dry in 24 hours but they will take approximately 10 - 14 days to harden.
- Floor coating can be walk on, in socks/stocking only, once dried, usually after 24 - 48 hours (weather depending). Avoid walking on the surface with street shoes for at least 7 days.
- Light furniture can be replaced in 5 - 7 days but extra care should be taken in the first 2 weeks.
- All furniture must be lifted into place. Avoid dragging furniture as it may scratch the surface.
- It is very important to use protective felt pads under furniture legs and castor cups under wheels (such as beds) to avoid scratching or denting the floor. Note: Most damage to timber floors is furniture related.
- Wait at least 7 days before moving heavy items such as fridges, pianos and large cabinets. They should be moved very carefully ensuring they are not wheeled or dragged over new floors to avoid gouging or scratching the floor.
- For new construction it is especially important to keep floors grit free until outside pathways and driveways are established. Exterior mats are crucial in these environments.
- Wait 2 weeks before laying rugs.
ALSO SEE FLOOR CARE