How to sand a floor using a drum sander and edge sander

If you have a solid wood floor that is looking damaged or worn out and in need of some TLC, an edge sander and a large drum sander can help you to restore it to its former glory. They aren’t expensive to hire and they are fairly easy to use – and the results are impressive, adding considerable value to your home.

1. Prepare your space: Remove carpets, rugs and furniture to empty the room as much as possible as sanding creates a lot of dust. Open external doors and windows for good ventilation. For extra dust proofing, use masking tape to seal internal doors into the rest of the house where possible.
2. Replace boards that can’t be repaired: Thoroughly examine your floor for any rotting boards or wood that is too damaged. Pry them up with a chisel and replace them, making sure that any nails are at least 2mm below the wood level. Do the same with any nails that have come loose in other boards.
3. Fill in any gaps: Large gaps can be closed with a sliver of wood that is glued into the gap, while knot holes and minor damage can be filled with wood filler.
4. Hire a floor sander: You will need both a large drum sander and an edge sander. Work diagonally across the floor with the large sander, overlapping each strip of sanded floor as you go. If there are deep stains, do a second sanding by criss-crossing over the sanded floor in the opposite direction. The edge sander will allow you to get to hard-to-reach areas. Work as close to the skirting board as possible and work from a coarse to smooth sanding paper.
5. Vacuum and seal: Sweep and then vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove as much debris as possible. It’s a good idea to leave the room overnight after cleaning and then clean it again, as dust from the sanding and the first clean will have settled. Seal the floor with a clear wood finishing product, a stain or paint. If using a seal, 2-3 coats should be applied along the grain of the wood.

For assistance in choosing the correct large drum sander or edge wood sander, please contact us at TALISMAN Hire today. We’ll ensure that you get what you need to get the job done!

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