One of the most difficult parts of sanding your hardwood floors is sanding the corners. However, it is important to know how to do it well if you want to make your floors look great. The sanding prepares the wood for the finish and it needs to be applied evenly across the floor, including the corners.
Why Do You Need to Sand the Corners of Wood Floors?
It is just as important to sand the corners of your wood floors as it is the rest of the floor. The sanding process allows you to remove any marks on the wood. This includes marks from machines as well as any flaws in the wood. It makes it smooth and opens the wood up so that it can absorb the stain evenly.
What Tools Do You Need to Sand the Corners of Wood Floors?
To start, you need to make sure that you have the right tools to sand the corners. You can choose between manual hand sanders or electric-powered sanders. Hand sanders are great for the corners because it allows you to pay close attention to what you are doing. You are less likely to make a mistake. However, you can choose a powered sander that is small. An edge sander can really make a difference when you want to reach the corners.
The next material you need is sandpaper. There are four types of grit paper that are sold, including aluminum oxide, garnet, silicon carbide, and ceramic. You need to choose one that lasts as you cover the surface of the floor, so silicon carbide is often a popular choice. The level of the grit is also important. The most coarse have lower numbers, such as the 12 grit, while the finest sandpaper can be as high as 600 grit.
How to Sand the Corners of Your Hardwood Floors
When you sand your hardwood floors, you need to do the entire surface, including the corners. You always do three rounds with the sander, and you use a finer grit each time. You will use a drum sander for the entire floor and then use an edger or palm sander in the corners. Even though you are changing tools, you need to make sure that you are consistent with how you sand it.
You will want to follow the grain of the wood, and you start with coarse sandpaper. Then, you do two more rounds of sanding, and you finish with the finer-grit sandpaper. You will use the same grit on the main floor and in the corners.
After you sand the floor with a drum sander, you will want to vacuum the room. Make sure that your palm sander or orbital sander is set up to use the same grit as the drum sander. Make sure that the surface is even once you finish, and vacuum again after you sand the corners. You shouldn’t wait until you have done all three sandings with the drum sander to do your corners. Do the corners after the drum each time you use it.
When Do You Need to Sand Your Hardwood Floors?
Any time you sand your wood floors, you will need to sand the corners. You should sand three times using a finer grit each time, and you should do the main floor and then the corners in each stage. People often want to know when they should sand their hardwood floors.
You need to sand your floors any time that you plan to refinish them. This process will make old surfaces look brand-new again, and it can help damaged floors. There are certain signs that let you know that it is time to sand and refinish your floors.
First, if you see large scratches or dents, you can refinish your floors to restore them. When you use your floors, they will develop some marks over time. When you see the damage extending below the top coating, you need to refinish them. It is more than a cosmetic problem; dents and deep scratches can actually damage the wood.
Another issue is when you notice the floors upping. The boards might bend down from the edges, and it lets you know that the floors have suffered from water damage. This can happen if you have had a leak or water that has been sitting on the floor, or it can happen as a result of humidity.
If you notice that there are splinters on the floor, your sealant has likely worn away. The wood underneath is likely damaged, so you need to refinish the floors by sanding and sealing them again.
Finally, if you notice fading, staining, or discoloration, the protective coating is wearing away. It is important to refinish the floors to make sure that they are protected from further damage.
No matter what the reason is, you need to sand the entire floor, including the corners. Wood floors are beautiful, but they are hydroscopic and can absorb water. It is important to make sure that they are protected so that they last a long time. The reason why you refinish them is to make sure that they stand up over time.
Final Words
Sanding your floors is a big job because you have to sand the corners. You can use a drum sander for the main part of the floor, but it won’t work in the corners. You need to use a different technique when you do this part of the room. You can use an edge sander to get up against the walls, and then either sand the corners by hand or use a small handheld sander.