Homeowners with historic homes take pride in their hardwood floors, but over time, even the most durable hardwoods can take a beating from foot traffic, pets, and regular wear and tear. When that happens, you’ll want to get your floors back to beautiful quickly. How long will that take? It depends.
What’s the extent of the damage?
A quick refinishing job can take a turn when inspections of the floorboards reveal moisture damage. Many homes in southern Louisiana are built on pilings to prevent flood damage, but when sub-flooring is left unprotected from the elements, moisture can still penetrate the sub-floor and damage the hardwood on top. Moisture damage can lead to mold and termite infestations.
One sign that your hardwood floors are under attack from below is to make a note of buckling and cupping. If your floorboards and bending up around the edges, that’s a sign that they have accumulated moisture. As they swell, they bump up against neighboring boards and begin to lift at the edges.
In the case of a hardwood floor that has moisture permeating from below, renovation is naturally going to take longer. The floor must come up, and the sub-flooring must either be thoroughly dried or entirely replaced, depending on the extent of the damage. Often, the hardwood floorboards can be salvaged and restored to their former beauty if the damage is caught early enough.
In the case of a soggy sub-floor, Sunlight Contractors can often dry out the area using industrial heaters within two to three days. During that time, we also treat for termites and mold if they are present.
What sealant are you using?
Hardwood floors are sealed with polyurethane, and homeowners have several options to choose from. Water-based polyurethane is fast-drying, but it doesn’t last as long. Most homeowners prefer an oil-based polyurethane. The shine is more lustrous and the protection lasts significantly longer. However, it also takes long to dry. If you’re using an oil-based sealant, you’ll have to wait 24 hours between coats, and another 24 hours after the final coat is applied for the surface to be dry enough to step on.
What climate do you live in?
If you’re a southern Louisiana homeowner, you may need to add extra time to your timeline to account for high humidity levels. The more humid the air in your home is, the longer it will take for stains, paints, and polyurethane to dry.
What type of layout are you working with?
The most common wood flooring pattern is a straight pattern. This is the standard side-by-side, wall-to-wall pattern that you see everywhere. Renovating a straight pattern is, well, straight forward and won’t add time to your renovation. However, if your hardwood floors have a more unusual placement pattern like parquet, herringbone, or basket weave, the renovation will require greater skill and, likely, a little more time.
You’ll be floored by our professionalism and experience
At Sunlight Contractors, we work with Louisiana homeowners to restore historic hardwood floors to their former luster. From inspections to moisture and air sealing, from sub-floor replacement to hardwood restoration, we can handle all of your floor renovation needs. We can even help to keep your home more comfortable and affordable by insulating your sub-flooring and preventing future damage! Give us a call today to learn what we can do for you or check out the hundreds of positive reviews our customers have left on Google!