RESTORATION UNDERFOOT
QI’ve recently moved into a new house that has lovely original floorboards, however, they need sanding and varnishing. How should I tackle this? Susy King, Stoke-on-Trent
AFloor sanding is relatively simple, so take your time and enjoy! Clear the room and seal any doors to built-in cupboards or wardrobes. Sanding machines can damage walls, and as they’ll be left covered in dust after this job, it’s wise to do this before decorating.
Rent a large floor sander, a small edging sander and a pack of sanding sheets from a tool hire shop. Open the window and angle a standing fan towards it to encourage the dusty air out. You’ll need clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, plus gloves, a mask and eye protection.
Start at the furthest edge of the room and work along the grain of the wood, holding the sander steady. If you skid, it can cause wavy lines in the floorboards, so make sure you keep a firm grip. Use the coarsest sheet of sandpaper across the entire room, working systematically. Then use a finer grade of sandpaper, continuing until you have a nice smooth finish. You may need two, three or even four runs at this.
The edging sander is a smaller sander with a rotating disc, which allows you to sand right up to the edges. Again, work your way around the room with coarse, then finer grades of sandpaper. Once you’re happy with the finish, vacuum the floor, then wash with warm soapy water. Wait for it to dry, and to make sure no dust has settled, then vacuum again before varnishing.
There are lots of options for a topcoat – you can paint it, wax it, oil it or varnish it. Varnishing is one of the hardest-wearing finishes and gives a traditional look. Start at the edges using a brush, pour the varnish into a roller tray and use a roller on an extension pole, working with the grain. Apply two coats for the hardest finish; check the drying times before applying the second coat (and before putting all your furniture back in). When applying the second coat, wear socks so you don’t mark the varnish with hard-soled shoes.