Frequently Asked Questions:

Q   Do I need to leave the house while the floors are being refinished?
 A   It is not necessary for most people to leave their  homes while the floors are being refinished. You will not notice  dust, or objectionable odors.  People who are chemically sensitive, pregnant, or who have certain health conditions, should check with their doctors, or may want to leave the house as an extra precaution. At times the sanding operation can be noisy. 

Q   Why did you choose the floor finishes you use?
A    The finishes I use produce the most beautiful, lasting results available, without all the toxic chemicals contained in most other finishes. I'm concerned about my health, the health of my customers, and the environment. Why would I use anything else?

Q  Aren't all floor finishes the same?
A   No. Just like most other products, there is a great deal of difference between finishes. There are several that produce good results, but contain very large amounts of toxic chemicals. There are very few manufacturers that seem to have made a genuine effort to be health conscious, environmentally responsible, and produce a durable, high quality product.

Q    Why don't you give estimates over the phone? Many other companies give a standard square foot cost.
A    There are many factors that go into estimating the cost of refinishing a floor, besides its size. They include: type of wood, condition of the floor, layout of the room, finish system desired by the homeowner ( I allow you to specify exactly what goes on your floors, to fit your needs.) etc. I can give you a realistic price, only after I have all this information. When a company gives square foot costs without seeing the floor (and the estimates are usually low) they make the job fit the estimate. This is usually done by using cheaper, inferior materials, and skipping many of the steps required to produce quality results. 

Q    What is done when floors are refinished?
A    First the floors are carefully inspected. Any exposed nails are driven below the surface, and any remaining carpet staples are removed. 
Heating (and air conditioning) registers are covered.
Depending on conditions, a blower unit may be placed in a window to draw air out of the room, and blow it outside.
The floor is sanded and scraped until it is smooth, and all of the old finish is removed. This may take several sandings.
 All of my machines use the latest dustless technology, so the sanding process is very clean.
The room is inspected and thoroughly cleaned to insure no dust remains. 

The new finish is applied. The type of finish you choose will determine the number of coats, and drying time.
The floor is usually buffed lightly between coats.
You can walk on the floors with socks, about 3 - 5  hours after the last coat is applied. Furniture can be set in place (lift and place -  please don't drag) after 2 days. Area rugs can be replaced after seven days. 

Q    What is the difference between refinishing, and recoating?
A    Refinishing is needed when the finish on the floor is in  poor condition, or contaminated with waxes or oils. The process is outlined above.
If the finish on your floor is dull, but not worn through, recoating may be a fast, less costly alternative to refinishing,. Recoating is a process that restores the appearance of the floor by applying a new finish on top of the existing.  The floor is buffed, thoroughly cleaned, and the new finish is applied. Recoating will not repair deep scratches or stains.

Q  Do water base polyurethane finishes hold up well?.
A   It depends on the brand. Many water base polyurethanes seem to be a half hearted attempt by the manufacturers to have a water base product on the market. They are difficult to work with, often require 4 or more coats, and don't wear well. A few companies  have developed water based polyurethanes that are durable enough to be used in restaurants, and shopping malls, and schools. They are much more durable than oil-based finishes. A 3 coat system is typically used -  sealer, and 2 coats of finish. 

Q  Aren't all water base polyurethanes safe?
A   I really don't know what "safe" means. Since I'm around them a lot, I use the safest finishes I know of. Some water base polyurethanes have almost as high a VOC (solvent) content as oil base polyurethanes, and contain other dangerous chemicals.  

Q  Why do most  floor refinishers use oil base polyurethane?
A   Probably because it's cheap, and requires less skill to apply. 

Q  What do I need to do before my floors are refinished?
 A   All furniture, carpeting, drapes, wall hangings, and kick-knacks should be removed. All nails or staples from carpet that has been removed, must be pulled from the floor.  My machines create noise and vibration and could cause items to rattle & fall. Pets should be moved to somewhere out of the way where they will be happy.

For those who don't want to move furniture, I have partnered with a moving company to move your furniture for you.  Your furniture can be moved into other areas of your home, or stored, then returned. 

Q  I want to pull up my carpets and have the floors refinished. Is there anything I should know before I start?

 A  For your safety, wear a dust mask. You are likely to stir up lots of stuff that you don't want to breathe. Take care to remove all staples, and to avoid damaging the floor.

Some stains may be visible after the carpet has been removed. Black, or gray stains are usually caused by water, or pets. They often go deep into the wood, and may not come out with sanding. Board replacement is sometimes required to completely remove them. 

Q    Can you remove my carpet for me?
A    If necessary, I can remove your carpet. I charge an hourly rate for doing so. I can often arrange for local handymen to remove carpet for you.

Q    What can I do with my furniture while my floors are being refinished? 
A    There are a couple of options that people use. One is to do the work in stages, and move furniture into other rooms for the few days needed for refinishing. People  move furniture into garages, and basements. Others  rent portable storage units, or have moving companies store their furniture while the floors are being refinished.

I can often arrange for local movers, or handymen to move furniture for you.

Q    Dark stains. I have dark stains on my floor. What are they? What can be done? 
A       Stains, usually ranging from light gray, to black, SEE PHOTOS are almost always caused by water, or urine (pet satins). Sometimes they can be sanded out, but in most cases some of the stain will remain. Depending upon your expectations, and how dark the stain is, the remedies are limited. Live with the stains, or replace the stained boards. Sometimes applying a dark stain to the floor will hide most of the water / pet stains. Trying to remove them by bleaching, or applying other chemicals is not recommended.