Hardwood is one of the most efficient and cosmopolitan flooring materials for the home. It emits a very classic yet elegant finish that can last for decades. While hardwood floors are reminiscent of ancient palaces in Europe and early American homes in the South, they still fit very well in modern homes.
But one small downside to having hardwood floors is that it wears out over time. While hardwood flooring can last a lifetime, its polished finish can become dull and damaged as a result of overuse. This wear can be seen largely on hardwood floors located in parts of the home with heavy foot traffic.
Worn and shabby hardwood floors are not only unsightly, they are also difficult to clean. This is particularly true for wood floors that have peeling polishes or coatings. In short, the preservation of the beauty and shine of hardwood floors depends on periodic maintenance or repainting.
However, it’s good to note that not all of your wood floor’s lack of shine or chipping would require a total renovation job. Sometimes all you need is plain water and a cloth to restore the shine to your hardwood floor. Fortunately, there is a way to check if it is time for you to stand up and use the mop or start moving your furniture and get down on your knees.
The first thing to do is go to the wooden floor that is used most often. Then wet this part with water, maybe a tablespoon or two. Then watch.
If the water suddenly forms into small droplets, this means that your wood floor protective polish is still working and does not need a large-scale repaint; a damp cloth or stain remover is all it takes to restore shine. However, if the water seeped onto the floor and caused it to darken, the siding is already ruined and it’s time for you to do the wood floor repaint.
Repainting hardwood floors is not a walk in the park. It is always best to enlist the services of flooring professionals who have the knowledge gained from real experience and power tools to renovate your worn hardwood floor. However, if you want to renovate your floor yourself, you can start by reviewing the following tips.
First, measure the area of the wood floor that you would like to repaint. Generally, floors that are less than or equal to fifty square feet can be sanded by hand. Sanding paper and a good pair of knee pads will help you finish the job. However, if the floor you are about to repair is more than fifty square feet; You will definitely need a power sander unless you want to sacrifice your kneecaps and joints.
Second, after removing all the furniture and accessories that are likely to obstruct the repainting work area, remove the old floor covering, which is usually made of wax, varnish, or paint. The wax coating can be easily removed using an ordinary wax stripper; while varnish or petroleum-based flooring laminate can be removed with acetone or lacquer thinner. Removing the hardwood siding will prepare the floor for sanding.
Third, never forget to remove carpet nails and tacks sticking out of the floor surface. Nails and tacks not only ruin sandpaper and power sander, they can also damage your hands. Additionally, nails and tacks that are not dislodged properly can seriously ruin your hardwood refinish designs. After removing these, remember to fill the holes that were left with commercial wood filler of the same color.
Fourth, after sanding the entire wood surface, wipe it off with a damp rag or floor rag. It is best if you can purchase a resin coated cloth, which is available at your nearest hardware store; This special material can easily remove microscopic bits of dust better than vacuum cleaners.
Finally, after the floor has dried, you can start applying a new coat of wax, varnish, or paint. For example, three coats of varnish are recommended. Allow the coating to dry and sand the floor lightly after each of the three applications. Before finishing, don’t forget to re-clean the newly restored hardwood floor with a damp or resin-coated cloth to bring out the shine.