PREPARATION FOR SANDING AND COATING
- Carpentry, electrical, plastering, plumbing, tiling, painting and glazing must be completed before work on the floor can start.
- Carpets should be laid after the floors are finished.
- Unless specifically agreed to and quoted for, all furniture should be removed together with all floor coverings including staples, tacks, smooth edge etc .
- Gas and electrical appliances are to be disconnected by qualified personnel and removed. All pilot lights (including hot water system) are to be turned off.
- Adequate lighting and power to be available.
- Arrangements made for clear and safe access to the site.
- Arrangements should be made for alternative accommodation for 48 hours due to necessary drying time for polish and prevalence of toxic fumes.
- Seal any access areas such as fireplaces and vents that could allow dust to enter the room. Use masking tape and paper.
- Cover light fittings to prevent dust from gathering on them.
- Fold curtains into green garbage bags and seal the top.
- Cover all fixed furnishings using paper, drop sheets or plastic.
- Once floors are completed, masking tape from cupboards, tiles etc. should be carefully removed by the customer, within 2-4 days.
THINGS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF:
- Sanding and finishing a beautiful timber floor is a skill acquired over many years. Bear in mind that, as all the work is done by hand controlled machines and applicators, there will be evidence of this in the floor. Over time this will add character that is unique to you home. This is all part of the beauty of owning a timber floor.
- Any silicone on a floor will cause rejection of subsequent coats of polyurethane. Silicone is often found on the foot wear of plumbers and glaziers. Silicone or silicone based products also include fabulon, hairspray, fly spray etc .
- 12 volt down lights produce a cobweb effect on the coatings.
- Black Japan or stain around the perimeter of some older timber may produce a two tone effect.
- You are likely to get slight markings on skirting boards from contact with the edger and the brush while polishing. That is why it is recommended to leave the final coat on skirtings until after the floors are finished.
- Staining of boards can vary in colour. Blotchiness, brush marks may be visible.
- Different floor coverings (e.g. vinyl and carpet) over timber floors will give you different shades in colour once polished.
- Timber is a natural product. Contamination may occur at any point in the process from tree to delivery which may cause separation in your coatings.
- Re-coating of existing polished floors may have rejection caused by unknown previous coating or by cleaning agents used on the floors.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
A completely dust free environment. Modern sanding machinery are fitted with dust collecting equipment and we will endeavour to clean dust away by vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. It is virtually impossible however to totally eliminate dust from the job which has a couple of consequences:
a) There will always be some dust particles that settle on the newly finished surface.
b) There will be an amount of dust throughout the rest of the house.
- Removal of deep cuts such as those found within the boards and around nail holes such as animal urine and water marks.
- Filling of gaps between the boards. These gaps are not filled because subsequent shrinkage and expansion in the timber will cause cracking in the filler.
- Boards damaged by the borer or grain to have the same gloss level as those in good condition.
- Any areas filled with putty to have the same feel as the timber after application of coatings.