Refinishing hardwood floors can breathe new life into your home, revitalizing its appearance and adding value to your property. However, before you embark on this exciting bit of home improvement, it’s crucial to properly prepare your home to ensure a smooth and efficient process. From clearing the space to protecting your furniture, here’s a comprehensive guide to preparing your home for refinishing hardwood floors.
Clear the Space
The first step in preparing your home for hardwood floor refinishing is to clear the space of all furniture, rugs, and other items. Remove any obstacles that may hinder the refinishing process, including curtains, wall hangings, and decorative objects. Clearing the space not only allows the contractors to work efficiently but also prevents your belongings from getting damaged during the refinishing process.
Protect Walls and Baseboards
Hardwood floor refinishing involves sanding and applying finishes, which can generate dust and splatter. To safeguard your walls and baseboards from damage, cover them with protective materials such as plastic sheeting or painter’s tape. Additionally, consider removing any delicate items from nearby shelves or walls to prevent accidental damage.
Provide Adequate Ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial during the hardwood floor refinishing process to ensure the safety of both you and the contractors. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the space. If weather permits, use fans to improve airflow and expedite the drying process of the applied finishes.
Communicate with Contractors
Effective communication with the refinishing contractors is key to a successful project. Discuss any specific requirements or concerns you may have before the work begins. Provide clear instructions regarding access to your home, preferred work hours, and any areas that require special attention. By establishing open communication, you can ensure that the refinishing process aligns with your expectations.
Make Arrangements for Pets and Children
Refinishing hardwood floors can be noisy and disruptive, which may cause stress or discomfort for pets and young children. To minimize disruptions and ensure their safety, consider making alternative arrangements for pets and children during the refinishing process. This could involve temporarily relocating them to a friend’s or family member’s home or confining them to a designated area away from the work site.
Prepare for Temporary Inconveniences
Despite careful planning, refinishing hardwood floors may entail temporary inconveniences such as restricted access to certain areas of your home or limited use of facilities like kitchens and bathrooms. Anticipate these challenges and make necessary arrangements in advance, such as setting up temporary living spaces or relocating essential items to unaffected areas.
Follow Post-Refinishing Care Instructions
Once the hardwood floor refinishing is complete, it’s essential to follow any post-refinishing care instructions provided by the contractors. This may include avoiding heavy foot traffic on the newly refinished floors, refraining from placing furniture or rugs for a specified period, and using recommended cleaning products for maintenance. Adhering to these guidelines will help preserve the beauty and longevity of your newly refinished hardwood floors.
Hardwood Flooring from Jason Brown Wood Floors
At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 4 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 18 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
Jason Brown Wood Floors is also your convenient dealer of high-quality, professional-grade power tools. We offer brands that tradespeople trust most for the job. Come check out our Abingdon showroom to browse the in-stock selection of products and tools by Festool, Freud, Diablo, Shaper, Mirka, Makita, Saw Stop, and Grex.
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