General information to help you during the process, and after you take possession of the floor.
The following are generalisations about the most common coatings and are not product specific, please use this as a guide.
DURING THE PROCESS
If there is some time between laying and sanding, the floor can be used, but not contaminated. Take care not to contaminate the floor with oil’s or silicone’s. Aerosol sprays are another source of contaminants which need to be avoided on your timber floor before your timber floor sanding commences.
Excess paint that runs between boards or into features in the timber cannot be removed later, your painter will need mask between skirting’s and the floor, and use drop sheets over the flooring. Small amounts of over spray are generally not a problem, but better safe than sorry.
If the premises is lived in it is a good idea to move out during the coating process. You can live in other areas of the house but the floor cannot be used or walked on between coats, NOT AT ALL.
NEW COATING
In the first few weeks after the coating has been applied to you timber flooring, use caution & care. The following is the recommend timeline for use, this is a general guide as it varies with different coatings:
Walking on floors – 24 hours after final coat has been applied you can walk on it in socks only.
Replacing furniture on floors, 3 days after final coat. Large or heavy items should be left until at least 5 days has passed
Rug and Runners, 2 weeks after final coat.
Do not wash floor, for at least 4 weeks after final coat.
During winter or colder months your floor coating will take up to 70% longer to cure so the longer it is left the better.
Treat your floor finish carefully for the first 2 months to allow finish to harden and to minimise scratching and scuff marks.
Additional ventilation will speed up the process, if you can open windows or turn on fans this will help the coating cure faster providing the weather outside is dry and sunny.