Over time, hardwood floors lose their shine regardless of how often they are swept clean and waxed shiny. However, just because your flooring has lost its shine and has a few nicks and scratches here and there does not mean you should completely get rid of the whole flooring and replace it with a new one. This option would be rather expensive and most of the time unnecessary.
There is a less messy, inexpensive alternative: Buffing hardwood floors is one aspect of the refinishing process. buffing is actually a relative new technique used in refinishing that works to revive the looks of old hardwood floors. If you do it properly, you can be sure that your old floor will look shiny and brand new once again.
Take note that buffing isn’t always the right flooring solution, though. This is especially true if the floor is severely damaged, in which case, the buffer won’t be able to restore the floor’s original look and shine. The only option would be to refinish the entire floor. However, if your hardwoodfloor only has minor scratches, small gaps and gouges, and light wear on the boards, go with buffing.
Buffing hardwood floors is also a great way to partially refinish your floor. In addition, you prepare your floor for a new finish each time. Buffing is important because finish that has been applied on the floor without buffing it first will quickly peel off.
-Tools
You will need to use a machine called a buffer to buff your hardwoodfloor. It’s not a good idea to buy this equipment since it is something you aren’t going to be using it more than every few years. At the most, you may be buffing it once every two years so it doesn’t make sense from a financial standpoint to buy this kind of equipment. You can rent a buffer from a hardware rental company for a couple of days.
The buffer uses a screen, and for this go with a fine screen of around 100 grit. This type of screen works for most hardwood floors. Make sure, however, when you use the buffer that you sweep it carefully across them, taking care to equally cover all areas.
- Proper Steps
1. Vacuum the floor after sanding it. Make sure that there are no dust particles on the floor prior to buffing.
2. Test the buffer out first by running it from the center of the room. Be aware that a buffer takes a while to get used to, especially if you are buffing your hardwoodfloor for the first time.
3. For best results, use a screen that has between 100 and 120 grit.
4. If your hardwood flooring has a wax finish, remove the wax coating first before buffing it.
5. Get the wax off then buff and then apply wax for a great looking floor.
Having slippery wood floors is like having a disaster waiting to happen right in your own home. The best way to avoid having to face this problem is choosing a suitable wood flooring that is not slippery at all. Before making any purchase, solicit samples of floorings from your local retailer or order them online so you can see for yourself the finish and texture of the flooring material you wish to install in your home.
Ask around and surf the internet for additional information and reviews made of several wood flooring brands and styles. Install wood flooring with matte finish in high traffic areas of your house and in the kitchen, where spills and are likely to occur. Also, do not leave things lying around your house, as this can also contribute to making your floor slippery.
Never Wax
Wood flooring with polyurethane or urethane finish should never be waxed. Apart from making your flooring dull, waxing also lead to slippery wood floors. Some flooring manufacturers may allow some of their products to be waxed though make sure you do it when there are less people in the house and that you do not overdo it so as not to cause accidents. Some common household items can also contribute to making wood flooring slippery, such as aerosol dusting products. Avoid using polishing wax meant for furniture and banisters on your wood floor, to avoid the accumulation of wax that might cause some serious falls and bumps.
Install Rugs
One quick remedy for slippery wood floors is to throw a rug over it. And to prevent the rug from shifting and sliding underneath you, install some liners on its underside. You can easily purchase these liners in your local home improvement or DIY stores. If you find that your stairs is quite slippery, place a carpet runner with liners over it. The carpet will allow for the safe usage of the stairs but still leave some parts of the wood exposed.
Scratch a Little
If your flooring remains slippery and you are bothered by the potential liability and risk it pose, try getting down on your hands and knees and scrubbing the surface of the flooring gently. The purpose of doing this is not to remove the finish but rather to remove the buildup of wax and dusting sprays. Most experts would recommend using a fine steel wool for this task.
When All Else Fails…
And if your floor still remains slippery despite doing what were recommended above, then there is no choice for you to do but to refinish your entire floor. Be sure to hire a professional to do the task and inform him or her of the problem that you wish to remedy. Apart from removing the slippery aspect of your flooring, sanding and refinishing will update the look and beauty of your floor. Never put off addressing the problem of slippery wood floors before somebody in your home might get hurt.