Published on 28 April 2022

Posted in Floor Sanding

Floor sanding can be very beneficial to your home. Not only does it give your floors a new lease on life, but it can also increase the value of your home. Plus, it’s a great way to  get rid of all the dirt, dust, and grime that has built up over time.

However, floor sanding can be a tricky business. If you’re not careful, mistakes are easily made that will cost you time and money. The good news is that in most cases, they are easy to avoid. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five of the most common floor sanding mistakes, and how to avoid them. So if you’re planning on tackling your floors yourself, read on!

5 Floor Sanding Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

Here are the five biggest floor sanding mistakes, and how you can avoid them:

Using The Wrong Sandpaper Grit

One of the most common mistakes people make when sanding their floors is using the wrong grit sandpaper. If you use a grit that’s too coarse, you’ll end up with scratches and gouges in your floor. On the other hand, if you use a grit that’s too fine, you’ll just be wasting your time because the sandpaper won’t be able to remove the old finish.

To avoid this mistake, make sure you start with a coarse grit sandpaper (about 40-60 grit) and work your way up to a finer grit (100-120). This will ensure that you remove the outer layer without damaging the floor.

Sanding The Corners Of Rooms:

Another common mistake is spending too much time sanding the corners of rooms. In fact, you shouldn’t sand the corners and edges too much, as this can damage the floor and surrounding walls / coving. Instead, focus on sanding the main area of the room, and then go back and lightly sand the corners and edges.

Not Sanding Enough

This might seem like an odd mistake to make, but not sanding enough is actually a pretty common error. People often think that they can get away with sanding just the top layer of their floors, but this is not the case. If you don’t sand down to the bare wood, you’ll end up with an uneven finish.

Sanding In Straight Lines

When sanding floors, you should sand diagonally  across the boards. This will give you the best results and help to avoid any lines or patterns in the finish. Plus, it’s just generally easier. To sand diagonally, start in one corner of the room and work your way across to the other side.

Not Replacing The Sandpaper Regularly

Another mistake people make is not replacing the sandpaper regularly. Sandpaper wears down quickly, so it’s important to replace it often. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an uneven finish. So make sure you regularly check your sandpaper and replace it when necessary.

 

So there you have it – five of the most common floor sanding mistakes and how to avoid them. If you’re planning on tackling your floors yourself, keep these tips in mind, and check out our how to guide.

Contact us today to find out which sanders to hire, to get that perfect finish.

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