FAQ

During the application of polyurethane, and during the dry time, keep the direct airflow shut down and animals out of the house. Pet hair and/or airbone debris may fall into the wet finish corrupting the result of the application.

Also, ensure the HVAC system is operating to maintain “normal living conditions”, it is extremely important to maintain the temperature and humidity levels in the house.

You may walk on the floors carefully, wearing socks, after it is dry (no tacking). Minimum time depends on the finish applied. Rule of thumb:

• Water-based finishes: 4-8 hours
• Oil based polyurethane: 12-24 hours

Even though you respected the time frame mentioned above, always check it first if the floors are still tacky, sometimes, high humidity level may delay the drying time.

Although your floors are dry enough to walk on, they can still be ruined by dirt and oils on the bottom of your shoes and/or feet. Water, and essentially all liquids, can also damage your new floors. So, we always recommend being careful on the next 24hours and avoid wearing shoes or walking with bare feet.

The time you wait before putting furniture back on refinished hardwood floors depends upon the type of finish you are using.

• WATER BASED Polyurethane: at least two days, (72 hours would be better).
• OIL BASED Polyurethane: at least four or five days.

The longer you can wait the better and stronger your finish is likely to be and the less chance of damage occurring.

When moving the furniture, always PICKUP and PLACE, never slide the furniture, it will scratch your floors.

Is also a good idea to keep your dog off the area while the floors are not cured yet. If this is not possible, make sure to keep their nails always filed.

DO NOT LAY RUGS BEFORE THE CURING TIME of your finish, the polyurethane needs to “breath out” to ensure that it is completely cured. Laying rugs may damage the results of your new finish.

There’s a big difference between the CURE TIME and the overall DRY TIME of floor finishes. The cure time is the length of time it takes for every single solvent to evaporate from the finish completely, stabilizing the finish in place permanently. The dry time is the length of time it takes for surface solvents and liquids to evaporate (but not the deeper layers).

The cure time for refinished hardwood floors when you’re using:

• WATER BASED Polyurethane: 15 days – and sometimes even longer than that (depending on things like temperature and humidity).
• OIL BASED Polyurethane: 30 days or longer.

a. DAILY:

Dry Mop: Using a microfiber dusting pad, dust mop the floor in a “S” shape motion, pushing the microfiber mop around without lifting it in order to keep the dirt trapped on the pad. This will be your best daily defense against scratches and surface damage and will significantly reduce allergens in the home.

b. WEEKLY

Wet Mop: After dust sweeping, damp mop your floors (during the curing time).

After the curing time (see item 3), you may spray a proper HARDWOOD Floor Cleaner on the floor and wipe clean with a Microfiber Cleaning Pad. It’s important to avoid excess liquid on the floor.

We recommend the Bona® Pro Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner (instructions attached).

https://www.bona.com/en-us/products/professional/floor-care/cleaners/pro-hw-clnr-32oz/

PRO TIP: Periodically remove the pad, rinse it, and wring it out to remove excess dirt, or use multiple pads to make it easier! Do this approximately every 150 square feet, more frequently in high traffic areas, or after cleaning each room.

c. LONG TERM

Recoat or Refinish Treatment Consider recoating or refinishing your floors every 3-5 years.

• Recoating your floors removes dirt and grime while filling in surface scratches with a fresh coat of finish. In addition to restoring the sheen and luster of your floor, it will create a fresh protective wear layer for added durability.
• Refinishing your floors completely removes the old finish and sands it down to bare wood. This allows for a complete color, texture and sheen transformation while adding durability protection with a new layer of finish. Renovating your floor rather than replacing it saves up to 90% less energy and close to an 80% reduction in carbon footprint

a. Clean spills immediately with a dry or slightly damp cloth

b. Don’t use wet mops or steam mops, which will damage the finish and the wood over long periods of time

c. Replace the felt pads on the bottom of all your furniture. The old pads have accumulated pet hair, dirt, and dust—all contaminants that are sure to scratch your floors.

d. Avoid walking on floors with sports cleats or high-heeled shoes

e. Place mats at exterior doors to trap sand and grit from incoming traffic.

f. Avoid using steam cleaners on hardwood floors. Steam cleaners put heat and excessive water on your floor, which can also lead to cupping and long term damage.

g. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways and pivot areas, at ends of steps, near doorways, etc. All rugs should allow floors to breathe. Avoid rubber-backed or non-ventilated rugs.

h. Don’t use a bucket. Excess liquid can damage wood, and this method of mopping results in too much water on the floor. String mops, sponge mops and buckets result in dirty water being reapplied and possibly scratching the floor.

i. Maintain a consistent humidity level (30-55%) and temperature (60º-82ºF) between heating seasons in all living areas. Excessive swings in humidity and temperature levels will cause hardwood floors to swell, shrink, cup, crack, and show excessive gaps between boards. The use of a humidifier and/ or a dehumidifier system is recommended where inconsistent humidity levels occur.

j. Do not use wax, oil soap, or other industrial household cleaners on your wood floors. These products can adversely affect the appearance and make refinishing wood difficult.