Hardwood floors are long-lasting, and they will perform well in high traffic environments. However, their appeal can decline over time due to prolonged use and accidents around the home. You might notice dents, discolouration and scratches on the surface. If this is the case in your home, you should think about renting a drum sander and refinishing the boards. Floor sanding will eliminate the damaged layer of lumber and reveal a clean and beautiful surface. Drum floor sanders are considerably massive and powerful machines. So, the refinishing tasks will be challenging. Here are some simple guidelines to help you have a successful and safe project.
Choose a Range of Sandpapers
When renting a drum floor sander from your local equipment supplier, you should purchase a range of sandpapers. In general, sandpapers are available in a wide range of grit gauges. The exact grit is expressed in the form of a number on the back of the paper. When sanding, you must begin with coarse grit products and work towards finer alternatives. The right choices will depend on the level of damage on your flooring and the level of refinement you would like. For the best results, you should ask your supplier for guidance on the grits. Also, it is prudent to ask the attendant to demonstrate the right technique for placing the paper on the equipment.
Obtain Personal Safety Gear
You should not work on the floor without personal protective equipment. There is a significant risk of injury when using a drum floor sander. You should have a dust mask or respirator for your project. Most sanders have a bag which collects the timber dust, but some particles are released into the air. The debris can cause harm to your lungs. You should also have safety goggles to shield the eyes from the same as well as other projectiles.
Sand along the Wood Grain
Sanding using drum equipment is not complicated; it is intuitive. When performing the task, you should check the flow of the wood grain. Pull your drum sander in a straight line along this grain. You should not attempt to exert pressure on the equipment for deeper sanding; this could damage the floor. Finally, you should be careful not to damage the trim, walls and baseboard.
Sanding a significantly damaged hardwood floor can be a challenging task. Therefore, if you are dealing with a distressed surface or your timber flooring has a large area, you should think about hiring an expert contractor to perform the refinishing project.