How to sand your floors like a pro

If you want to have beautifully sanded wooden floors you might be concerned about attempting this difficult job at home by yourself.

However, it is perfectly possible to undertake DIY  floor sanding and create a surface free from discoloration, bumps and nicks.

Here are our top tips to help you create the floor of your dreams. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time as the more effort you put in, the more the natural beauty of your floors will be enhanced.

Make sure your floor is flat

If the floor you wish to sand is heavily bowed, thin or worm eaten, it might not be the best candidate for a floor sanding machine as the vibrations caused can damage the surface.

The same goes if you have an old period house or cottage as it could make it tricky to retain the old-school charm.

Clean your floor

It is not enough to simply sweep, vacuum and mop if you wish to have perfectly retained floors. Instead, it is best to invest in a good quality dust mop as this will be the most effective at letting you remove the finer particles of dust and grit.

Once your floor is beautifully sanded and polished, however, you will want to regularly dust and mop in order to keep the floor looking tidy.

Remove the base board or skirting board

If the room you are working in has a skirting board fitted, it is best to take it off the wall and reinstall it after the job has been completed.

This will prevent it from being scuffed, which could require a touch up later on.

Check for loose boards

Before pulling out the heavy equipment, make sure you go through and check that none of the boards you are sanding have come loose as this can make it tricky to sand.

The best way to do this is by walking down every board. If you are unsure whether it has come loose, kneel down and give it a tap. This is the easiest way to see whether it is nailed down tightly.

Choose sanding grits wisely

When you hire equipment, ensure you get the correct sanding grits as this can impact the quality of your work.

The grit you choose may depend on the type of wood you have. If in doubt, ask the friendly team when you hire these products. They have specialist knowledge of the subject and can advise you on the type of grit and sandpaper that will be required.