Sanding and then recoating wood floors is needed on a consistent basis for any timber flooring, as wood sealant can wear off over time, making the floor vulnerable to water spots and other such damage. A new coat of paint or stain can also make timber floors look fresh and new and give you a chance to add a different colour or tone to your home's flooring. If you're thinking of tackling this sanding job yourself, note a few mistakes to avoid so you know it gets done right, or so you know if calling a professional is actually a better choice.

Not using coarse enough sandpaper

Timber floors can only be sanded down so far before they need to be replaced, which is why many homeowners use very fine sandpaper when sanding their floors, thinking they don't want to remove too much of the wood's surface. However, this can mean not removing enough of the old coat of sealant, waxes and polishes, paint, stain and the like.

If a homeowner then adds new sealant or another coating over improperly sanded floors, this new coating might mix with the chemicals in the old sealant and actually turn a slight shade of green! The new coating also might not reach the entire top layer of wood, so some of it will remain unprotected. While you do want to be careful about taking off too much wood, you also need to ensure you remove that top coat of sealant or other materials, so it's important to use a coarse sandpaper and appropriate pressure when sanding your home's floors.

Using poor-quality machines

A homeowner may rent a floor sanding machine to sand their home's floors, but a rented machine has probably seen lots of wear and tear and may not be maintained properly. In turn, it may have flat spots on its belt or drums, bad bearings or other such damage. This can actually mean a poor-quality sanding job, as flat spots on a drum or belt can mean unevenly sanded area. Bad bearings in the machine can also affect how smoothly the belt or drums rotate and might also mean uneven spots on a floor's surface.

These uneven spots are not easily covered with paint or stain and may show as swirl marks or worn marks under the topcoat. If you do rent a machine for your home's floor sanding, check its overall condition and opt for one that looks new and well-maintained so it will do a good job of sanding that timber evenly.