How To Sand Hard Wood Floors

Sanding a hardwood floor is a great way to renew its appearance and prolong its life. However, it can be a time-consuming and physically demanding task. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you sand your hardwood floors like a pro:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Drum sander
Edging sander
Sandpaper (in grits of 24, 36, 60, 80, and 120)
Vacuum cleaner
Safety glasses and dust mask

Step 2: Prepare the Room

Remove all furniture from the room.
Cover any remaining furniture with plastic sheeting.
Seal off doorways and windows with plastic sheeting and tape.

Step 3: Sand the Floor

Attach the 24-grit sandpaper to the drum sander.
Start sanding in a corner of the room and work your way towards the door.
Keep the sander moving at a steady pace and apply even pressure.
Overlap each pass by about 1/2 inch.
Once you've sanded the entire floor with the 24-grit sandpaper, switch to the 36-grit sandpaper and repeat the process.
Continue sanding with progressively finer grits of sandpaper (60, 80, and 120) until the floor is smooth and even.

Step 4: Edge Sanding

Attach the edging sander to the 120-grit sandpaper.
Sand along the edges of the room, being careful not to gouge the floor.
Use a sanding block to sand any areas that the edging sander can't reach.

Step 5: Vacuum and Clean the Floor

Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove all sanding dust.
Use a damp mop to clean the floor and remove any remaining dust or debris.

Step 6: Finish the Floor

Apply a coat of polyurethane or other floor finish to the floor.
Allow the finish to dry completely before replacing furniture and walking on the floor.