It can be very tempting browsing through a hardware stores equipment rental page. Take for example when you cross the page for a floor sander that can be rented by the day or week. You think to yourself, “our floors could really use a rebirth and this would make a great weekend project” and while it's always great to expand your home improvement skills this is one particular project that should 100% be left to the pros.
In fact, there are some professional floor installers that still get a little anxiety over running the large floor sander. It's not that the equipment is especially hard to run, it's just that what happens underneath is so permanent. Sanding in one spot for too long will not only create noticeable dips that absolutely requires replacing boards, it's also one of only many mishaps that can happen with a DIY job. Here's why you should trust professionals like Superior Home Improvements.
There is a Grit Sequence
Sanding the floor involves multiple passes over the surface each time using a different grit of sandpaper. It's important to follow this sequence to the exact letter as to not leave noticeable cuts and scratches in the surface. Failure to follow these exactly not only leaves indentations but makes the area difficult to stain and ultimately just looks tacky.
There Are Multiple Machines
Anybody can run a floor sander right? Well how about an edger, a buffer, a sanding screen, hard plate, and moisture content meter and some of the other tools required to effectively create a great sanding job? These tools need to be used properly and in cohesion with each other as to blend the sanding job perfectly together – something not always easy for DIYers.
There is a Recommended Direction
Sanding is not done according to grain pattern but how the machine operates. Whether you rent a belt machine or a drum sander and the orientation of the room will determine which way leads to the most even sanding.
You Also Need to Trowel Fill
Sanding is easy but doing it efficiently is the part that takes skill. You'll need to trowel fill low spots and most importantly be able to identify these spots.
Safety Is Key
The dust from sanding the floors is highly flammable and can pollute your home for years if proper precautions aren't taken. The process is also hard on the body whether it be the arms, ears, legs, eyes, and respiratory system.
You Could Do 10X the Damage as the Money that is Being Saved
One of the biggest worries with any DIY project is causing more damage then what the return what have been worth. Some areas of the home that isn't a big deal such as in a garden (unless you dig up a septic line) but destroying a floor is going to require replacement which includes material and labor costs on top of any rental fees you may have incurred.
If you want to build a walkway with pavers outside your home, that is a nice weekend project but refinishing floors should be left to the trained professionals.
In fact, there are some professional floor installers that still get a little anxiety over running the large floor sander. It's not that the equipment is especially hard to run, it's just that what happens underneath is so permanent. Sanding in one spot for too long will not only create noticeable dips that absolutely requires replacing boards, it's also one of only many mishaps that can happen with a DIY job. Here's why you should trust professionals like Superior Home Improvements.
There is a Grit Sequence
Sanding the floor involves multiple passes over the surface each time using a different grit of sandpaper. It's important to follow this sequence to the exact letter as to not leave noticeable cuts and scratches in the surface. Failure to follow these exactly not only leaves indentations but makes the area difficult to stain and ultimately just looks tacky.
There Are Multiple Machines
Anybody can run a floor sander right? Well how about an edger, a buffer, a sanding screen, hard plate, and moisture content meter and some of the other tools required to effectively create a great sanding job? These tools need to be used properly and in cohesion with each other as to blend the sanding job perfectly together – something not always easy for DIYers.
There is a Recommended Direction
Sanding is not done according to grain pattern but how the machine operates. Whether you rent a belt machine or a drum sander and the orientation of the room will determine which way leads to the most even sanding.
You Also Need to Trowel Fill
Sanding is easy but doing it efficiently is the part that takes skill. You'll need to trowel fill low spots and most importantly be able to identify these spots.
Safety Is Key
The dust from sanding the floors is highly flammable and can pollute your home for years if proper precautions aren't taken. The process is also hard on the body whether it be the arms, ears, legs, eyes, and respiratory system.
You Could Do 10X the Damage as the Money that is Being Saved
One of the biggest worries with any DIY project is causing more damage then what the return what have been worth. Some areas of the home that isn't a big deal such as in a garden (unless you dig up a septic line) but destroying a floor is going to require replacement which includes material and labor costs on top of any rental fees you may have incurred.
If you want to build a walkway with pavers outside your home, that is a nice weekend project but refinishing floors should be left to the trained professionals.
