Floor Sanding Old Nails

When you re sanding nail heads will rip the sanding belt which costs you money or gouge the sanding drum which costs you more money.

Floor sanding old nails.

Using a pole sander is a bit more time consuming but also easier to use than a buffer and more affordable. It totally sounds like it s. This fine detail work can make your diy project look more like a professional job. Avoid using roofing felt as the asphalt may heat up while sanding and bleed into the floor.

Many old floors are sanded after the previous coverings are removed and suitable wood is found hidden beneath. Next use a floor buffer fitted with a fine grit screening pad to screen sand the flooring. This floor restoration method requires a floor buffer with a sanding screen to scuff the old finish of the floor which is why it s called a screen and recoat. So countersink all nails by at least 1 8 in.

To detect nails drag a metal snow shovel across the floor upside down. Most hardwood floors are installed with invisible nails and those that aren t are either old or intended to look old. This type of sanding will level minor unevenness left by the drum sander and edger as well as buff away sanding scratches. Floor sanding is the process of removing the top surfaces of a wooden floor by sanding with abrasive materials.

Sanding floors really isn t difficult it s just a lot of hard work. It will still squeak if you don t lift and renail the floor. Basically you want an empty clean surface to start working from. How to refinish floors with antique nail heads.

Normal flooring nails don t have a wide head so it is possible to drive them below the surface but these have a big head. Use an approved vapor retarder. Nail down any loose boards with finish nails. Using a 120 grit sanding screen buff the floor along each board moving back and forth with the grain.

Some people rent an industrial floor buffer for this step but a pole sander pictured is another great option. After completely emptying your room remove any old floor coverings nails and anything else that is attached to the floor and then give everything a good vacuum and clean. A variety of floor materials can be sanded including timber cork particleboard and sometimes parquet some floors are laid and designed for sanding. When it hits a nail you ll hear it.

If you just sand over the nails it may not work leaving the heads high.