Nobody relishes the prospect of having to spend a Saturday afternoon on their hands and knees desperately scrubbing at the floor with a piece of sandpaper. There are alternatives to this DIY nightmare, however. Learn how to do it correctly and a lot of time, effort, and money can be saved on the whole process.

Commercial Sander

Make sure that a commercial sander is used as machinery increases the speed of the project dramatically. It also provides a much better finish and can leave some semblance of a universal finish across the whole floor. Choose from the wide range of sanders on offer and decide which one is right for the job. Tricky floors require a drum sander, for example, as they afford much more control to the user.

On a side note, buying these machines can be expensive so don’t be afraid to borrow or rent one. It can save a fortune!

Coarse Grit

Always use the right sandpaper. The biggest mistake that people make is that they use the wrong type of paper. People will just pick up any type of paper and start sanding. This can either damage the floor or prolong the whole job. Older finishes are naturally harder to remove, so coarse 36-grit sandpaper would be the best option in this situation. When it comes to other types of floors softer sandpapers would be better. Don’t be afraid to use multiple types either as some floors are quite awkward to deal with.

Obstacles

Eliminate any raised nails or other obstacles as these will obviously play havoc with any sanding project. Many people waste time rectifying the mistakes that they could have avoided from the very start. Cut the time taken to complete the project by eliminating these issues prior to starting the sanding process.

Home maintenance is important, but it becomes even more important when autumn comes around and the warm temperatures of summer give way to the cooling winds from the north. This can play havoc with any number of things in the home. Save the trouble caused by the changing seasons by employing these three autumn home maintenance tips this year.

Pipes and Guttering

It’s not uncommon for roof damage to occur as a result of a faulty guttering system. Within the first few weeks of autumn most of the leaves will have fallen from the trees. The chances are they’ve landed in the pipes and guttering. Make sure that they are removed as soon as possible. Sadly, the best way is to actually go up there and do it by hand, but any troublesome leaves can be flushed out with some brief encouragement from the hose pipe.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors expand and contract as the temperatures begin to change. Over the years the windows and doors will start to develop small holes and slits that can let in cold air. Check all the windows and doors to ensure none of these things have developed. Repair them or it could be costing the household a lot of money. If warm air keeps draining out of the home then the heating is going to need to be kept on for longer.

Remove and Clean Outdoor Furniture

Few people are paying attention to the condition of their outdoor furniture whilst it’s in use. Autumn is the time to review any damage. Take everything inside and make sure it’s kept in a secure location. Give each piece of outdoor furniture a clean so that any lingering debris or moisture doesn’t damage it over the colder months. It will save a lot of money in the long term!