Getting Ready for Stunning Timber Floors: MyFlooring Preparation Guide

To ensure a smooth, efficient, and successful project, a little preparation from your side goes a long way. Understanding what needs to be done beforehand will minimise disruption and help us deliver the best possible results.

Here's a comprehensive guide on how to get ready for your timber floor sanding and polishing project with MyFlooring:

1. Clear the Floor Area Completely – This is Key!

This is the most crucial step. While our machines are dustless, they still need completely unobstructed access to every square inch of your timber floor.

• Remove ALL Furniture: Every piece of furniture, no matter how small, must be moved out of the rooms being sanded. This includes sofas, chairs, tables, beds, wardrobes, bookshelves, and even appliances like refrigerators from kitchen areas. If you have built-in wardrobes, please clear out the contents on the floor as well.

• Remove All Floor Coverings: All rugs, mats, and existing carpets must be removed. Please ensure all staples and tacks are pulled out; hammered-down ones can still cause issues.

2. Understanding Our Dustless System & Minimal Dust Precautions

This is where MyFlooring makes a real difference! Our advanced sanding equipment captures over 95% of the dust generated, meaning you won't be left with a fine layer of dust throughout your home.

• No Need to Remove Curtains or Wall Hangings for Dust: Because our machines are virtually dustless, you typically do not need to take down curtains, blinds, or pictures/mirrors from walls for dust protection. This saves you a significant amount of time and effort!

• Minimal Protection for Sensitive Items: While major dust is not an issue, if you have extremely delicate electronics, open food items, or highly sensitive collectables, we still recommend covering them or moving them to another room as a minor precautionary measure against the very small amount of airborne particulate that may escape.

• Odour Management: While water-based finishes are low VOC and low odour, solvent-based finishes will still produce strong fumes during application and curing. Please refer to our "Health & Environmental Impact" article for details on vacating the premises if you choose a solvent-based option. For low VOC finishes, good ventilation is still recommended.

3. Address Floor Imperfections (Optional, but Recommended)

While our team will assess the floor and handle standard repairs, addressing certain issues beforehand can improve the final result and efficiency.

• Punch Down Nails: If you have an older timber floor with visible nails, gently hammer them down (using a nail punch) at least 3-4mm below the surface. Protruding nails can damage our sanding equipment. MyFlooring's team will do this as part of their preparation, but doing it beforehand can save time.

• Loose Boards: If you have noticeably loose or squeaky boards, consider having them re-secured by a carpenter before sanding. While our team addresses some minor issues, pre-existing structural looseness might require attention from a professional carpenter for the best long-term outcome.

4. Provide Access & Utilities

Our team needs unimpeded access and essential utilities to complete the job efficiently and safely.

• Clear Access Path: Ensure a clear path from your driveway or street to the rooms being worked on. This allows easy movement of heavy equipment.

• Power and Water: We will require access to a functioning power supply and water. Please ensure these services are connected and available.

• Parking: Advise us on the best place for our vehicle to park, especially in inner-city Melbourne where parking can be challenging.

• Security: If you won't be home during the process, discuss key handover or lockbox arrangements with MyFlooring.

5. Consider Accommodation & Curing Times

Depending on the finish chosen, you may need to vacate your home during and immediately after the process.

• Solvent-Based Finishes: These have strong fumes and require occupants (including pets) to vacate for several days, sometimes up to a week or more, until the odours dissipate and the finish cures sufficiently.

• Water-Based Finishes: These are much lower in VOCs and odour, often allowing you to return to your home within 24-48 hours, with good ventilation. However, light foot traffic is usually advised only after 24 hours, and heavy furniture replacement after 72 hours to a week.

• Full Curing: Remember that even after a finish is "dry," it can take several weeks (up to 30 days for some finishes) to fully cure and reach maximum hardness. During this period, be extra gentle, avoid dragging furniture, and don't place rugs.

6. Final Touches (After We're Done)

• Skirting Boards: If you are planning to paint your skirting boards, it's generally best to do the final coat after the floor sanding and polishing is complete. While our team is careful, the edging sanders can sometimes leave minor marks.

• Minimal Post-Dusting: While our machines are dustless, a very fine, invisible airborne particulate can settle on horizontal surfaces in the days following the work. A light wipe down of surfaces might be necessary, but it will be significantly less than traditional sanding.

By following this preparation checklist, you'll not only make the process smoother for our MyFlooring team but also ensure your newly sanded and polished timber floors in Melbourne are absolutely perfect. A little effort upfront leads to a magnificent, long-lasting result you'll love!

Contact MyFlooring today to discuss your timber floor project and receive personalised advice on preparing your home.