Wood Floor FAQ
Sanding and Refinishing
Q. What is the procedure for refinishing floors?
A. Floors are sanded with course - medium and fine grit sand paper and finished with at least 3 coats of polyurethane acrylics. From start to finish a 1,000 sq. ft. job can be done in 2 days.
Q. We're remodeling...Which should be finished first...The Painting or the Floors?
A. The floors should be sanded and finished before painting; however some painters are going to tell you the opposite. Some of my customers tell me the painter is worried about getting paint on the new floor. I wonder what that painter does when they have to work on wall to wall carpet? And is the question you should ask him next. Once a painter knows you're going to be re-finishing the floors, he's got the green light to go as fast as he can to maximize profit. He knows it doesn't matter if paint splatter gets on the floor because it's going to be sanded off.
Q. Will I need paint touch up after the floors are refinished?
A. Probably yes, but not always. When we sand the edges (perimeter of the room) the machine rubs up against the base molding. It's the only way we can get right up to it. The machine is stainless steel and leaves a mark on the paint. Also, when we are staining, we first use a brush and very carefully cut in. But when the excess stain is removed with rags, they become soiled and also rub up against the painted molding leaving a residue of stain behind. It can't be avoided and is why we recommend doing the floors prior to painting. In situations where the moldings are stained and finished there is no problem. We are not responsible for paint ouch ups.
Q. My garbage hauler doesn't take the debris left behind from my job, does Bob Sidoti Floors cart it away?
A. No. Garbage is rarely a problem, but does sometimes exist. Unless prior arrangements are made with us all debris is left at the curb or wherever you designate. If the situation does exist we have found it to be less expensive for you to TIP your garbage man, than to pay us to cart it to a dump.
Q. What is the difference between oil based and water based finish?
A. Oil based is the dinosaur and has a proven track record. However, the finish ambers with time, requires a lot more drying time and emits a strong vapor, that is not only unhealthy but contributes to the depletion of the earths ozone. Rumor has it that soon, all solvent based finishes will be non-compliant with the states V.O.C. Laws making them illegal to use. Water based or commonly called latex has evolved into an excellent alternative. They are non-yellowing, non-toxic, environmentally safe and dry very quickly. Water based floor finishes developed a bad reputation in the early stages of development however, today's high-end water based finishes are excellent and challenge even the best of oil based. In my home I used BonaKemi's "Traffic"
Q. How many days will it take to sand and refinish my floors?
A. It really depends on the size of the job, however the average size job (800-1000 sq ft) usually takes us 2 days to complete.
Q. How long does it take for the finish to dry so that I may walk on the floor?
A. Water-based/latex finishes take about 4 hours before the floor can be walked on, while oil based finishes take overnight.
Q. Why do some flooring contractors I've spoken to tell me that they will need a week to finish my job?
A. I really don't know, I assume it's because they work by themselves or only have 1 man on the job. When we are contracted , you can expect a professional crew!
Q. Can my floors be refinished over the weekend?
A. We like to use Saturdays as a clean up day, to finish anything we haven't completed during the week. We don't like to start a job on a Saturday because sanding floors is physically demanding; by the end of the week the men need a rest and want to spend time with their families. Ideally for weekend warriors you should try to book you job on a Friday so that we finish it on Saturday; this gives you Sunday to get your house back in order before the work week begins again.
Q. Do dustless sanding machines really exist?
A. No, even the best quality machines can't collect all of the dust. In order to be dustless, you must utilize a dust containment system. Be sure that your contractor has the right equipment, before believing their job well be dustless. Only dust containment systems are dustless. There is no such thing as dustless machine.
Q. Should I stain my floor or finish it natural?
A. Ultimately the decision is yours. We believe all wood should be stained because it seals better & enhances its beauty. Stain is an upgrade and does cost more. If your decor supports a natural finish, we will be happy to accommodate you.
Q. Will Bob Sidoti Floors show me stain color samples?
A. Experience has taught us to stay away from samples because they are deceiving. A stain color may look different on your floor than it does on the sample; and is because wood is unique unto itself. We prefer that you CLICK HERE to view a Minwax color chart; pick 3 colors you want us to bring to your home the day of the job, and we will show you your stain choices directly on your floor. By this - What you see is what you get! And there is no mistake.
Q. Can my stairs be finished to match my floors?
A. Yes, there are certain applications depending on your stairs.
Q. I ripped up my carpet and found black spots - what are they?
A. They are probably pet stains, but can also be water. The fact is that nobody can tell you if sanding will remove them until you physically try with a professional machine.
Q. Will bleach remove pet stains from my floor?
A. Absolutely not! If stains cannot be sanded out - the affected boards must be replaced.
Q. I have to be able to walk on my floors to get to my bathroom/bedroom. What do I do?
A. Latex (water based) floor finish dries in approximately 4 hours and is the perfect solution.
Q. Does Bob Sidoti Floors remove carpet?
A. Yes, on a room basis charge.
Q. Does Bob Sidoti Floors move furniture?
A. No, we are insured as wood floor contractors only, but we will asset you with heavy items.
Installation
Q. Are Pre-finished floors better than un-finished ones?
A. NO - Pre-finished floors are more convenient because there is no sanding & on-site finishing. They have excellent manufacturer's warranties. Unfinished floors are typically used in new construction.
Q. How long should the flooring be allowed to acclimate to the house before installation?
A. Freshly milled flooring usually has a moisture content between 6% - 9%, and requires 3 days in the area of installation to acclimate.
Q. Is 3/4" flooring always better than thinner engineered flooring?
A. NO - 3/4" thickness flooring was made to be installed directly over floor joists as a structural element. Today's cross laminated engineered floors provide a more stable floor, keeping expansion & contraction to 3%. Today's engineered floors can be refinished just like solid 3/4" floors.
Q. How is wood floor graded?
A. Depending on the type of flooring, it is usually graded from clear being the best - to #2 common, know as a rustic grade. CLICK HERE for an example.
Q. Do hardwood floors need allot of maintenance?
A. No, if maintained properly wood floors will perform excellent for years. Never use cleaning solutions that may leave a residual film behind. Cleaning oils, soaps, one step mop & shines, etc. will ruin your finish! At Bob Sidoti Floors we recommend the Bona Floor Care System.
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