Old timber flooring - do I really need to sand it?

[Lazy DIY]

Hi all

I have just purchased a house built in the 1960's which is fully carpeted. It looks like there is hardwood timber floors under it and I would like to have them exposed and looking for some advice. The floors look like they have always been carpeted and dont look like they have ever been polished.

The job would be for my benefit only (I plan to knock the place over in a couple of years) and so does not need to be perfect - I am a little tired as have just finished a reno. I am also quite limited in the amount of time I have to do the job ( 4-7 days max). Basically what I want to know is do I REALLY need to sand the floors before polishing? Why is it important to sand first - what are the benefits of sanding? What are the risks of not sanding first? If I dont sand should I use a particular treatment (wax, oil or varnish)?

I am a real novice at timber floors so would appreciate all your advice. Im sure a few of you may be completly horrified at my suggestion to not sand my floors but I am exhausted ... this stuff is really hard work.

Thanks

[RufflyRustic]

Hi,

The floors would definitely benefit from a sand before finishing. Yes, it's a lot of work, but worth it. I think you'd also find that the finish would be taken up more evenly than if you simply cleaned the floor and put the finish down after that. Besides even if you are knocking the house down in the future (did I read that right?) you will still be looking at the floor and wouldn't it be nicer to have a semi-decent finish rather than a "it'll do" job?

I can appreciate you are exhausted from all your renovation work, it IS hard work. But I have to say that a little prep work on the floor will be worth it, in my humble opinion.

Good Luck

Cheers
Wendy

[Larry McCully]

in some comercial clothing stores the designer has call for the timber floor to be coated only and not sanded. Yes it can be done that way, but you do need to prep it first. You will need to at least lightly sand it first using a orbital sander remove any splinters and any dirt , grime and basicly you want a clean dry floor. Vacumm it and then coat it with a tung oil finish. x 3 or 4 coats. They come up ok, but remember do your prep first and make sure to punch down the nails. You dont even have to fill the nail holes. Your floor will develope its own look after a bit of wear and tear. Give it a go, it may turn out ok.

[journeyman Mick]

Tear up a corner of the carpet, sweep and vacuum the floor, wet it with a bit of water. This is what it will look like (pretty close anyway) if sweeping and vacuuming is all the prep it gets. If you like the look, go for it, personally I reckon it would look pretty poor.

Mick