Floor Sander Guidelines

Hardwood floors need a floor sander eventually. Even the most carefully cared for floors will eventually develop dings, scratches and gouges from normal wear and tear. While these imperfections may be disguised temporarily with finishes and fillers, a time will come when the floor simply must be redone. That is the time for floor sanders. Scratches, gouges, stains and hard to clean spots can all be removed with a floor sander.

There are a variety of sander makes and models. These include belt sanders, drum sanders, orbital sanders, disc sanders, edgers and other tools. Each has its own advantages. Belt sanders and drum sanders are more aggressive than orbital sanders. The drum sanders and belt sanders can cut into the hardwood floor to remove deep scratches and gouges. Care must be taken when using a drum sander or a belt sander so that the sander doesn’t make gouges in the floor as it is started. These sanders must be kept moving in a consistent motion or tipped back with the sanding belt lifted clear of the floor. Orbital sanders or sanders that move in a circular motion can also create circular marks in the floor if they are not used with care.

Do-It-Yourselfers Enjoy Sanding

Sanding a floor is a rewarding project for the do-it-yourselfer. There is great satisfaction in taking a floor sander and restoring a stained and dirty looking wood floor to its original fresh and natural appearance. Do-it-yourselfers will probably choose to rent a floor sander as these machines may cost several hundred to more than $1,000, depending upon the make and model.

Floor sanding equipment and supplies for floor sanders, such as floor sanding paper are available at most lumber yards, home supply stores, industrial supply warehouses and on the Internet through a variety of e-tailers. Take care to make sure the floor sanding paper and other supplies are made to fit the make and model of floor sander being used.

Home improvement and building contractors are often skilled at using a floor sander. Homeowners or building managers may opt to use a professional to do this job because of the potential for damage to the floor.

Using a sander for the do-it-yourselfer can be a rewarding project. It is a project that does require a little skill. The do-it-yourselfer should consider practicing on a wooden platform or other wooden surface to get the ‘feel’ of the machine before using it on a floor. With a little practice the do-it-yourselfer can easily master this tool.