Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between resurfacing and refinishing?
Resurfacing is our proprietary system that gently sands light scratches, scuffs, ground in dirt and dullness away. It does NOT affect the color (other than brightening) and does NOT sand away precious wood. It can be used on all types of wood flooring and is the most cost-effective flooring service we offer. Most projects can be completed in hours, rather than days.
Refinishing means sanding your floors down to the bare wood, re-staining (your choice of color), and applying polyurethane. If oil-based polyurethane is desired, we apply two coats and lightly sand between coats. With water-based poly, two coats are used with light sanding and scuffing between coats. Of course, we "tack" (clean the dust) prior to each coat. This is the method most are familiar with. It takes two to four days and provides the homeowner with a finish that is as close to perfection as humanly possible.
I have a few very deep scratches, which service do I need?
That's a personal decision. Believe it or not, a deep scratch here and there may not be a bad thing. Some people call it character, some turn it into a story, or some simply don't see the "value added" component with the added expense of removing the deep scratches especially if there are only a few. If you have pets or small children, then removing ALL scratches may very well be a temporary step. Resurfacing may be the answer. You may just want to simply protect your long-term investment. Give us a call, and we’ll help you with your decision. You will NOT be pushed into a service that gives you a negative return!
Dustless, really?
This process creates very little dust; equipment- mounted vacuums pull the lions share of the dust. What remains is a very light coating of dust on the floor. No airborne dust is generated--none. The remaining dust on the floor is vacuumed, then the surface is cleaned with tack rags.
What about the smell?
For resurfacing, we use only water-based products that are "GreenGuard" certified. The only smell is a very light, pleasant aroma. Click here to visit the GreenGuard web site.
Tell me more about GreenGuard.
The following was taken from GreenGuard's web site: The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, part of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Environment, was founded in 2001 with the mission of protecting human health and quality of life by improving indoor air quality and reducing chemical exposure. The GREENGUARD Certification Program helps manufacturers create--and helps buyers identify--interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used. UL Environment, a business unit of UL, acquired GREENGUARD in 2011, further advancing its mission of promoting global sustainability, environmental health, and safety.
What do I use to clean pet urine?
White Vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water). Fix yourself a spray bottle for these type of accidents. After you're sure the area is clean, wipe it dry, completely dry, dry-as-a-bone dry. Then, dry it again. DO NOT use anything containing ammonia. Pet urine has ammonia in it; and if you clean with the same ingredient, your pet will think it’s the place to go.
What’s the best way to clean my hardwood floors?
Water is never good for hardwood floors, but you can use a damp mop. If you want to use a little cleaning agent to make them shine, you can. Oil soaps are terrible. Don't use them. In fact, we recommend using a natural and "green" way to clean. If you want to add a little shine to your hardwood floors, try this mixture the next time you clean:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm/hot water
- Two drops of orange essential oil—add to the water and vinegar mixture (optional—it creates a pleasant smell).
Use one microfiber cloth per room to wipe the floor (on hands and knees (if it’s a small area) or a mop that you ring out very well (if mopping a larger area). Although the mop method works, we suggest using the old-fashion method of wiping the floors while on your hands and knees. This allows you to really monitor the moisture level, and microfibers will not damage your floors like some mops will. However, wiping on hands and knees isn’t always practical especially if you’re cleaning a larger area, so be sure that you are use a mop that is clean, free of debris, and only damp—NOT dripping wet.
