FAQ’s

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Now that you have a beautifully refinished wood floor, you will want to do everything that you can to keep it in great condition.

The first few days

After the work is completed, you will be able to walk on it after 3 hours, however, the floor lacquer will take 2 weeks to fully cure. As such:

  • Be careful when moving your furniture back.
  • Use felt protectors on the feet of your furniture.
  • Wait at least 72 hours before placing your rugs or doormats back down.
  • If possible, wait at least 72 hours before moving any heavy furniture back into the room.
  • Do not use any water or cleaner on your floor for the first 2 weeks.
  • Try to minimize the volume of foot traffic.

Long-term maintenance

In order to keep your floor looking amazing for years to come, we recommend the following:

  • Use doormats at the interior and exterior of the front and back doors to collect dirt and water.
  • Put a sheet or cloth underneath any heavy furniture prior to moving it.
  • Use a damp towel to wipe up any messes or spills. Try to clean spills immediately after they happen.
  • Try to keep your pets nails trimmed as their long claws can create scratches in your beautiful, new floor.
  • Use foot protectors on all furniture.
  • Try not to walk on your wooden floor in high-heels as these can cause serious damage to your floor.
  • If you have a wood floor in your kitchen, place a mat at the sink to protect against wear and tear as well as water damage.
  • Use a humidifier in the winter to keep the boards from moving too much
  • Never use water to clean your floors. Always use an approved floor cleaner.
  • Do not use tile or vinyl floor cleaners on your beautiful wood floor. They can cause your floor to become slippery and appear dull.
  • Never wet-mop a wood floor as the standing water can stain or damage the wood. Also, remember, we said not to use water to clean your floor.
  • Dust mop, sweep or vacuum your hard floor regularly to keep it looking shiny and new.

If you are a novice at staining then this is not a job we would recommend you undertake. The staff at GJP Floor Sanding London is professional and has stained hundreds of floors.

A properly stained floor will have several even and lightly stained layers. If you are not experienced with staining, it is possible to have an uneven look to your floor with certain sections appearing darker than others.

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.

Floorboards are ideal for asthma sufferers as they can be easily cleaned and typically don’t harbour dust mites like carpet does.

The colour of your newly sanded floor will depend on what your floor is made from. For example, natural hardwoods such as mahogany, maple or oak will usually be a darker colour.

Softwood such as pine will usually vary from a dark, golden brown to a pale, honey colour.

Keep in mind that we can easily stain, wax or oil your newly sanded floors to be whatever colour you desire.

When choosing a colour it is important to remember:

  • Darker floors will make the room look smaller.
  • Pale colours reflect light in your room and give it the appearance of being larger, which is great for smaller spaces.
  • Dark colours tend to create a certain warmth and coziness aspect of a room.
  • The lighting of a room will completely change the colour compared to the lighting at the hardware store.

Remember to always do a test patch or two of the colour on your floor to see if it is the right one for you. As well, our team will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the colour of your floor

Waxes and varnishes will usually require more care and possibly a re-coating every now and again. You will need to re-coat as both wax and varnish create a powerfully strong protective barrier on top of the wood. Over time, this barrier begins to break down, which will allow dirt and dust to make their way into the wood grain. You will want to re-finish your floors before this happens.

On the other hand, oil doesn’t create a protective barrier on top of the floor. Instead, the wood soaks up the oil and as such, it will repel water and dirt. The issue with oil is it will need to be re-applied far more often than varnish. You will most likely need to re-oil every 18 to 36 months.

Our team at GJP Floor Sanding London is incredibly knowledgeable and will put their 30+ years of experience to good use by helping you choose the best finish for your floor.

In an average family home with a couple of children and a wonderful family dog, you can expect the high traffic areas such as the hallways to last about 5 years. Of course this is with minimal maintenance. If you are diligent and maintain your floor it will naturally last much longer.

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.

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