How to Restore Hard Wood Floors

Hardwood floors are a beautiful feature of any home. In addition to increasing a home's value, they are easy to clean, last for many years and prevent allergens from accumulating thus improving the air quality of the home. However, after years of dirt, sand and heavy traffic even the most well maintained wood floor begins to show age with a dull finish and scratches. You can restore hardwood floors to their original shine without spending a lot of money on refinishing them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Buffing machine
• Vacuum
• Paint pad
• Paint roller extension rod
• Urethane paint
• Three-part liquid restoration system

1. Thoroughly sweep the hardwood floor to remove all dirt and debris.

2. Use a method called screening to restore your wood floors. Rent a buffing machine from any home improvement store. Tell them you need a lightweight buffing pad to lightly screen a wood floor. Use the machine to lightly sand the very top of the floor to remove any scratches. Keep the machine moving at all times and do not to stay in one spot very long. Use a vacuum to remove all dust from the floor and then apply a top coat of urethane with a paint pad. Allow the floor to dry overnight, and then apply a second coat of urethane if you desire a higher gloss.

3. Use a three-part liquid system to restore the floors without creating any dust. These systems are available at most locations that sell hardwood floor supplies as well as home improvement stores. First apply a chemical sanding liquid that removes the top layer of urethane from the floor. Then apply a bonding liquid that helps the top coat adhere to the floor. Finally, apply a top coat of water-based urethane or polyurethane that dries to a high shine finish.

References

• AskTheBuilder.com