The time has finally come. And your floor’s imperfections and signs of wear are about to be erased to restore the wood’s natural beauty. And we are very excited to be part of this journey with you. But, first, there are a few things to do. As with any other large endeavor, preparation is the key to success.
Furniture
We know it’s not easy. But, all furniture must be removed from the flooring that will be refinished or replaced.
Here are some popular storage ideas:
– Adjacent areas that don’t have hardwood flooring
– Garage
– Covered deck (if weather permits)
– Basement
– Pod or Uhaul Truck Rental
We also work with several local moving companies that we will be happy to refer you to. Moving isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s best to hire professionals that are trained in handling heavy, delicate, and awkward items. And then there is a benefit of trade insurance if something does get damaged.
Working Area Preparations
- Shelves & Counters: Please clear off shelves, mantels, and countertops.
- Closets: Please empty out any closets that will be refinished.
- Kitchens: Please clear off counters; if you would like refrigerator or stove areas done please remove the appliances (typically stove areas are not refinished). It is advisable to extinguish pilot lights on gas appliances.
Floor Repairs and Board Replacement
Refinishing hardwood floors is also an opportunity to address any problems in the current floor installation. Damaged or discolored boards can be replaced if desired.
If that’s something you’d be interested in, please mark the boards with blue tape and show them to the crew.
While we can advise on what boards are good candidates for replacement, it’s your client’s responsibility to identify all such boards. Afterall one knows your floors better than you.
Appliances
Refrigerator
If there is a way to safely move the fridge out of the working area for the length of the project, that would be the best.
Alternatively, we can pull the fridge out temporarily and refinish the area underneath before moving it back and proceeding with the rest of the floor. The disadvantage of this method is that there will be a visible transition line around the legs. But, normally it isn’t noticeable from a standing position.
If we are to move a refrigerator, the ice maker waterline may need to be disconnected and will need to be reconnected by a homeowner or a professional plumber.
Sometimes, especially if the refrigerator is tightly enclosed on 3 sides, we can simply refinish floors around it. The bottom plastic cover can be removed to allow us to reach further and hide any transition line.
Stove
Just like a refrigerator, it can be completely relocated. But, a simpler solution can be removing a bottom drawer. This will allow us reach a couple of inches further and avoid the need of moving it out.
Laundry Room
Please remove the washer and dryer if you would like the areas underneath done.
Wall Art
We recommend removing items from the walls to avoid possible damage due to the use of heavy equipment that can create strong vibrations.
Windows and Draperies
You may find this an ideal time to remove draperies, shears, window treatments, blinds, etc from the work area, and send them out for cleaning. If left we can cover them with plastic for an additional fee.
Doors (Optional)
Removing the doors can speed up the process and improve overall results. When deemed necessary our crew will remove the doors, but if you want to make sure the doors are safely stored away, you could also do it yourself. Door removal overall is an easy project because the trick is to remove the doors from their hinges while leaving the hinges in place.
- With a nail and a small hammer, gently tap out the hinge pin from below. It will be easier to have a partner help you.
- While your partner holds the door in place, remove the hinge pins and set them aside.
- With the partner, slide the door off of the hinges.
- Place the door with any others you may have to remove
- Insert hinge pins back into the hinges without pushing all the way down
Dust Control System
As you already know, we use a variety of dustless sanding equipment. Nonetheless dustLESS is not to be confused with dustFREE. After long hours and days of sanding, some fine dust will accumulate on home surfaces, and a little bit of dust clean-up will be necessary.
Here are a few tips to protect from dust and make the clean-up much easier, and save plenty of time down the road when having to clean the dust.
– Shut off rooms that are not being worked in by closing the doors or sealing them off with plastic
– Place some plastic sheeting on all the furniture in the vicinity
– Cover pantry shelving with plastic covering
Pets
– Please keep cats and dogs out of the work area and doorways during the entire process. Out of curiosity, pets sometimes like to enter the work area and leave scratches that can be very hard to catch prior to applying finish.
– Birds and fish are sensitive to even small changes in their air. Birdcages and fish tanks should be moved to a room that is well-ventilated and can be closed off from any fumes.
Parking
We operate multiple big vans and trailers. And we need 2 parking spaces to park next to the house with easy access to it.
Equipment Storage
Even the smallest flooring project required all kinds of equipment. And takes a significant amount of time to unload, set up, and load the necessary tools. For efficiency, we will need a designated area to store tools on projects that take more than one day.
House Access and Security
It’s great if you be there for us for the entire project. But, often more than not our clients need to go to work or be away. We also need to come and go at different times during the day. So, when appropriate we need keys or access codes to keep the house locked up and be able to get back in.
For your comfort and security, it is our policy to store your key in the lockbox that always stays on the property.
Electricity
If we haven’t already determined, please notify us whether you have 240V power in your home. If not, we may need to install a temporary outlet next to the breaker box.
Planning
– When a water-based finish is used, floors can be walked on in socks 3 hours after they are coated.
– Furniture can be brought back 3 days after project completion. But, be sure not to drag anything across the floors. Only lift and put.
– Area rugs can be placed back 7 days after project completion
– You may need to do minor paint touchups on baseboards after the refinishing is completed