Floor Finishing Do's and Don'ts

DO think about what is reasonable in regard to finish for your own circumstances. Your contractor will want you to be pleased with your completed project but sometimes unreasonable expectations get in the way. In spite of the dust-free equipment used your home is not a controlled environment and some settling of dust is inevitable - minimal activity by other persons in the area while finishes are drying will help to minimize dust. Keep pets or animals well clear of the area.

DO maintain an interest in your project as it proceeds through the various stages and think about how you can help your contractor to complete the project effectively. For example, the floor sanding and finishing should be carried out after all other work but before the final coatings on your walls and skirting. It shows poor planning to have other workmen traversing your finished floor, which will undoubtedly be damaged in the process. 

DO ask your floor finishers opinion and find out his plan for the project. He will want you to understand the process and what part you can play in getting a satisfactory result. Make sure you understand what access you will have to the area and make alternative arrangements ahead of time if your access will be limited.

DO ask your floor finisher what he will need before the project starts. The machines require plenty of electrical power so make sure you have power points close to the area for use by your contractor. If the power is not yet on in your building and there is no lighting or readily available power you are not ready to start sanding.

If you've elected to remove existing carpets yourself, DO ensure that ALL underlay staples have been removed and ALL nails are punched well down.

DON'T expect your floor finisher to work around other tradesmen. When he arrives they should be finished and gone. He cannot achieve an optimal finish with their activity in the area.

DON'T expect your floor finisher to carry out extra work at no expense. e.g. punching nails that you had arranged to punch yourself or applying further coatings.

DON'T forget to give your contractor access to the electrical meter board for circuit breakers and fuses.

DON'T have pilot lights or naked flames burning while the floor finishing operations are ongoing. e.g. gas fridge or gas geysers or gas heaters. Fumes from some finishes can be highly flammable.

DON'T walk on the floor during or soon after floor finishing operations with dirty or gritty shoes. It will take up to 2 weeks before your new finish is fully cured and shoes should be removed when walking on the floor during this time.

DON'T pivot on  your foot during the curing time. This will damage the finish in a very visible manner. This is a picture of some idiots toe print. The floor had had it's final coat.