Today, Edmund asks:

I have an oak floor in my dining room with a nice dark patina. I assumed it was stained and varnished until I spilled some water on it from my aquarium. When I wiped it up, the cloth came up very dirty and the floor was cleaner and lighter. The floor is bare wood with only ground in dirt to color it. If I cleaned the floor, it would be many shades lighter.

That is what I would like to do. Get a floor scrubber and clean the floor and then put a durable finish on it. I believe such a high traffic area needs a finish like urethane or polyurethane.

Are any of these assumptions correct?

Your assumptions are correct. Before I continue though, a word of warning: putting a coating on a wood floor is hard work, so be sure to do your homework before starting a project of this caliber. Also understand that there is more to this type of project than just applying a urethane or polyurethane finish. After cleaning your floor, you will want to sand it and fill any spots that may have gotten scratched or dented in normal wear and tear. You’ll then need to clean up all dust you have created, then begin coating your floor. Then wait 12 hours, and repeat. Most finishes recommend doing that step 3 times.

I would only use a urethane or polyurethane finish if you like the new lighter color of your oak floor. Since you’re starting from scratch, you can stain your floor to change the color or make it closer to the previous color. But remember you will be adding more work for yourself. Another thing to remember are the possible health risks to yourself and your family with this type of project. There is a reason that many people hire professionals for this job and leave their homes for 6-10 days. The dust generated can be dangerous, so make sure to tape off the work area in order to keep the dust out and be sure to use a mask to protect your lungs as well.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Flooring Diva Blog!

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