Floor Sanding FAQ’s

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Floor Sanding FAQ’s

Are my floorboards too far gone to sand?
In most cases, even if your floor has been damaged, we can usually replace the problem floorboards with reclaimed pine floorboards. From there we will restore the boards and make them blend in perfectly with the rest of the floor.
Who will be working at my home?
GJP Floor Sanding London is a independent business. We have four full time floor sanding specialists on staff. We always use experienced professionals when working at your home
How long will the work take?
This depends on the size of the job, however, we can typically complete a standard size room, which is roughly 12’ x 12’ in a couple of days. This includes sanding and staining your wood floors.
Should I have the gaps between the boards filled?
One is to mix resin with wood dust into a paste, this is then pushed into the gaps between the floorboards and left before sanding flush. The second method is to glue wood slivers made up from reclaimed pine wood into the gaps between the floorboards and the sand flush.

We would recommend filling the gaps in ground floor rooms and hallways as there could be a cold draft. In kitchens and bathrooms gap filling is recommended as a protection against spillage. We do not recommend wood fillers that are available in high street shops as they tend to shrink and fall through or get sucked out with the vacuum cleaner.

Will there be a lot of dust created from your sanding machines?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a completely dust-free zone; however, we only use the highest quality machines. As such, these machines come with powerful vacuums that substantially reduce the amount of dust created in your home.
I would like my floor to have a stain. Is this something I could do myself?
GJP Floor Sanding has stained hundreds of floors and our professional staff knows how to deal with any job. We have also seen a lot of floors that have been badly stained and it’s not a pretty picture. When a floor is stained well it has a beautiful even colour with depth to it. Stained badly and it can look patchy and dull with a dirty appearance. If you would like to see some examples of our work so you can see a floor they we have stained recently, give us a call and we can try to arrange a viewing in your area. For more information please check out our page on the floor sanding Process.
What are wood slivers?
If you are curious about the process of applying wood slivers, here is a more detailed look at how we do it:

Step 1:

Re-nail the floor to ensure all nails are at least 3-4 mm deep.

Step 2:

Clean the joints out very carefully, so we don’t catch any cables or pipes.

Step 3:

Place a sliver into each gap and see if it is a nice, snug fit.

If it fits well, remove it and put the glue down on each side.

Place the sliver back in the gap and hammer all the way down the sliver, forcing it into the space. The further the sliver goes into the gap, the better.

Step 4:

Continue this process until the entire floor is tight and filled. Leave the slivers alone to dry for at least 4 hours. If possible, let them dry overnight.

Step 5:

Using a sharp chisel cut the tops of the slivers off so they are level with the floor. If the glue has been left to harden overnight, you will be able to kick the slivers off, leaving the gaps filled.

Step 6:

Clean up the mess and get ready for sanding

This method of filling gaps is typically more expensive, however, it will last longer than other methods. It is also less prone to cracking as it shifts with the floor.

Which floor finish should I choose?
We offer a wide variety of professional wood floor lacquers, which are all water-based and incredibly safe for home use. The brands we rely on the most include Bonakemi, Becker Acroma, Johnston’s & Jenkins.

If you would prefer a nice, natural oil finish, we use Osmo polyx hard oil, which is available in matte or silk sheen.

Will there be a lot of noise created from your sanding machines?
If you live in a flat or semi-detached home then it may be a good idea to notify your neighbours about the upcoming work. We will always keep the noise to respectable hours and only work between 9am and 5pm.
I have a concrete hearth, can anything be done?
Unless you are planning to restore the fireplace, we can easily chase out the hearth and lift the surrounding floorboards. We will then use reclaimed pine boards to fill in any floorboard gaps.

General FAQ’s

What are the benefits of having my floors sanded?
Apart from looking beautiful, they are hygienic, easy to clean and beneficial to asthma suffers and people with dirt allergy. They do not harbour dust mites found in carpets and are a must for any one with kids and pets.
Who will working at my house?
GJP Flooring is a small independent company who have 4 full time floor sanding specialists within our team. We do not subcontract work out to other companies & only send full time employees to your home.ll and we can try to arrange a viewing in your area.
I’ve found a concrete hearth, can anything be done?
Unless you have plans to restore a fire place we can chase out the concrete hearth. We then uplift the surrounding floor boards and relay filling the void left by the concrete hearth with reclaimed pine floor boards which are secured nailed or glued.
Which floor finish should I choose?
We use a number of professional wood floor lacquers all of which are water based and safe. Our ranges include, BonaKemi, Becker Acroma, Johnston’s & Jenkins. If you would like a natural oil finish, we use Osmo polyx hard oil, available in matt or silk.

Oil-treated surface

If you choose an oil-treated surface for your new refinished / sanded wood floor, you get the maximum protection of the surface which is also environmentally friendly. The natural look and feel of the wood floor will stand out. The natural exchange of moisture in the room is promoted by the porus surfaces, which is also beneficial to allergy sufferers. In additon oil-treated surfaces are easy to care for, and can be partially refurbished locally if required.

Oil-treated, brushed surface

Planks treated in this wayfeature a marked accentuation of the grain. They have a really tradtional and authentic look. This special appeal is created by the use of steel brushes which remove the soft wood from the surface of the wood, giving the planks a special hardness as well.

Lacquered surface

Lacquered planks are just the right solution if you want a surface with a silky mat finish. The exclusive furniture quality look featuring multilayered UV acrylis lacquer gives them an elegant touch. What’s more, a lacquered surface is hygenic and easy to care for.

Can I sand my own floors?
For example a 20 square foot room will take one person around 5 to 8 hours to complete, depending on their skill level.

If you are not up to the task, GJP Floor Sanding London employs sanding professionals that are able to quickly and effectively sand your floor. We have over 30+ years of combined experience in the floor sanding industry so you can trust us with your sanding job.

I own a dance studio; can you refinish our large hard floor?
We would be happy to restore your dance studio or any other large commercial space. We have over 30 years of combined experience in this field so there is little that our team is unable to accomplish.

Give us a call today and we will come out and give you a free quotation and walk you through our wood floor restoration process.

Can we change the colour of our floor?
Of course! We have a large selection of high quality stains. We can apply test patches to your floor so you can see what it will look like and make a decision.
My floorboards look a mess, are they too bad to sand?
Many floorboards look in bad condition as they have never seen the light of day. Plumbers, electricians & other trades may have left their mark. This damage can easily be fixed by using reclaimed pine floorboards.
Our floorboards have some major gaps, is this a problem?
Over time, gaps in your floorboards will occur. This isn’t a problem as our team of floor sanding professionals will be able to fix the gaps and blend them in with the newly refinished floor.

Benefits FAQ’s

What are the benefits of having my floor sanded?
Floorboards are ideal for asthma sufferers as they can be easily cleaned and typically don’t harbour dust mites like carpet does.
A member of my family has asthma, will it be better to have hard floors?
Yes, dust mites are responsible for many allergies and need carpets and soft furnishings to live in. Floor boards are ideal for asthma sufferers because they can be easily cleaned and rugs can be washed and hung out to dry in the sun which kills dust mites. Dust mites are invisible to the naked eye, but just in case you would like to see what one looks like under a microscope.

Preparation & Sanding Process FAQ’s

Do I have to clear the room before you arrive?
It would be greatly appreciated if you could remove any furniture and have the room completely cleared prior to work starting. This will expedite our work and let us get out of your hair more quickly.

If you can’t remove the furniture from the room then the job will need to be completed in two halves, rotating the furniture. This process will incur an additional cost.

What is the process for restoring our floors?
Step 1: Floor assessment

The first thing we want to do is assess your floor to determine whether or not we need to complete any repairs. Is it just minor scratches that we are dealing with or is there something more serious happening? If no repairs are needed then we can simply remove the stains, paint, etc. with an approved floor cleaner.

Step 2: Clean the wood floor

It is important to sweep and ensure that there is no debris on the floor. Leaving granules of sand can cause scratches and other issues during the buffing process.

Step 3: Sand the floor

During this step we will use our sanding machines to remove all the scratches and wear and tear in the floor. If this is just a minor job then we can simply buffer off the old finish and there will be no need to go down to the timber.

Step 4: Clean up

We will be using various sanding grits with decreasing abrasiveness. In between each grit, we will need to clean up. As well, once the sanding is completed, we will do a final cleaning to prep the floor for sealing.

Step 5: Seal the floor

Sealing the floor isn’t always required but if your floor doesn’t appear to be soaking up the stain evenly then you will want to apply a sealant. It never hurts to seal the floor as it does create a nice even look and it also protects your wooden floor.

Step 6: Finishing touches

Now it is time to apply the stain or oil that was previously used on your wooden floor. Applying a couple of thin coats is better than using one thick coat of stain.

Will your floor sanding machines make much dust and noise?
There is no such thing as a dust free floor sanding. The floor sanding machines we use are the most efficient on the market for performance dust collection and they all have built in vacuums to minimise dust.

Yes, floor sanding is reasonably noisy. All our floor sanding team wear ear defenders and face masks. If you live in a flat or semi-detached property it may be worth while informing your neighbours. We keep noise to respectable hours and work between 9am-5pm.