Preparing Your Home for Floor Sanding

You do not need to do much to prepare for floor sanding, but the right steps make a real difference. Most of our customers stay at home throughout the work, and the dust-free equipment we use keeps the rest of the house clean. Here is a simple checklist to help everything go smoothly.

Furniture and belongings

The floor needs to be completely clear before sanding can begin. Move furniture, rugs, plants and any items stored on the floor, including under beds. If some items are too heavy to move, mention it when booking and we will plan accordingly. Taking down floor-length curtains or tying them up avoids them getting in the way.

Old floor coverings

Existing carpet, underlay or vinyl can be lifted by you or by us. Removing carpet yourself can save money, but take care with the gripper strips, staples and tacks, which can be sharp. Do not worry about every last staple; we remove any that remain during preparation.

Your preparation list

• Clear all furniture, rugs and items from the floor.

• Keep curtains clear of the floor.

• Move fragile ornaments from nearby shelves.

• Arrange nearby parking for our van if possible.

• Tell us about underfloor heating or pipes and cables beneath the boards.

• Plan where pets and children will be during the work.

• Turn off underfloor heating a day or two before work starts.

Planning around the household

Sanding machines are loud and the room will be out of use for a while, so it is best to keep pets and young children well away from the work area. A day out, a friend's house or a closed-off room usually works well. If the room is a thoroughfare, we will plan another route before we start.

Getting the conditions right

Finishes dry best in a room that is comfortably warm and has some ventilation. Normal heating is ideal; do not blast heaters or fans at the wet finish. Underfloor heating should be off during sanding and finishing and brought back up gradually afterwards.

Planning ahead

It helps to think about the finish before work begins. Do you prefer the natural look of oil or the extra protection of lacquer? Would you like a matt, satin or gloss sheen, and are you considering a stain? If you are not sure yet, we will happily show you samples and explain the differences. If you are considering a stain, test patches are applied after sanding, so allow a little time to view them before the finish goes on.

Planning repairs

Let us know about any damaged boards, creaks or gaps in advance. That way we can bring matching reclaimed timber and plan enough time for repairs. Skirting boards, thresholds and door bottoms are also worth thinking about, as doors sometimes need trimming once the carpet has gone or after the floor has been finished.

What happens first

On arrival, we will go over the plan with you and agree any final details. After protecting the surrounding areas, we set up and start preparation. You are welcome to check in at any time and ask questions as the work progresses.

Key points to remember

• Clear the room completely, including rugs, plants, curtains and anything stored under furniture.

• Let us know in advance about heavy furniture, underfloor heating, pipes, cables or repairs.

• Sort out parking for our van and make sure pets and young children have somewhere safe to be.

• Decide on your finish, sheen level and any stain in advance to avoid delays on the day.

• Give the finish enough time to cure before returning furniture and laying rugs.

After the work

Patience at the end makes all the difference. Light foot traffic in socks is usually fine after a few hours, furniture can go back after 24–48 hours, and rugs after about a week once the finish has cured. Add felt pads to every furniture leg before moving pieces back in.

Have a question about getting ready? Our frequently asked questions answer many common queries, or contact our Bromley team for advice.