# Restore Your Hardwood Floors Yourself - **Published:** 22 March 2024 - **Type:** Blog - **Tags:** Flooring & Tiling There are few home renovation projects as satisfying as restoring hardwood [floors](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/floors-cleaning.md). It's a task that can transform the look and feel of your entire home, breathing new life into old, worn-out floorboards. In this blog, we'll walk you through the essentials of DIY hardwood [floor refinishing](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/sanding-your-hardwood-floors-should-you-diy-or-leave-it-to-the-professionals.md), from the tools you'll need to tackle the job to addressing common concerns and highlighting the benefits of hiring versus buying your equipment. We've got all the information you need to refinish your hardwood floors successfully, whether you're a seasoned [DIY](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/diy-hub.md) enthusiast or a first-timer ready to take on a new challenge. ### In this blog we will cover: [The Guardians of the Grain: Our Sanders are Top of the Range](#the-guardians-of-the-grain-our-sanders-are-top-of-the-range) [Demystifying the Tools: A Deep Dive](#demystifying-the-tools-a-deep-dive) [Conquering the Fear: Embracing the DIY Spirit](#conquering-the-fear-embracing-the-diy-spirit) [The Smart Way: Navigating Your Project with Insight](#the-smart-way-navigating-your-project-with-insight) [Efficiency in Sanding Large Areas](#efficiency-in-sanding-large-areas) [Depth of Sanding](#depth-of-sanding) [Professional-Grade Finish](#professional-grade-finish) [Cost-Effective for Larger Projects](#cost-effective-for-larger-projects) [The Great Debate: To Buy or to Hire?](#the-great-debate-to-buy-or-to-hire) [Ready to Hire a Floor Sander with Hirepool?](#ready-to-hire-a-floor-sander-with-hirepool) ## **Preparing to sand the floors** Like any good [DIY](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/diy-hub.md) job, achieving the best result is contingent on proper preparation. ### Know the floor you’re about to sand Firstly, you should identify whether the [type of flooring](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/5-quick-tips-for-choosing-the-right-flooring-for-your-home.md) you have is suitable to be sanded. For example, flooring types such as parquet flooring may not be suitable because they are made up of many layers, with the top layer being solid timber. If you have parquet flooring at home, it can only be sanded a certain amount of times before this top layer wears away. ### **Remove old flooring** To prepare your floor before sanding, you must first remove the flooring material atop the hardwood floor with the floor stripper. The walk-behind [floor strippers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/floors-cleaning/floor-strippers/516b-floor-stripper-walk-behind.md) from Hirepool are easy to use. With a sharp blade that can be adjusted to find the perfect angle to remove a range of flooring materials. After this, you can manually scrape off any old glue or polish that remains on the floor. Using floor wax remover will make removing old, stubborn wax a lot easier. We've also got [blade attachments](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills/246c-breaker-blade-attachment-to-lift-vinyl-carpet-tiles.md) for our [concrete breakers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/concrete-masonry/concrete-breakers-drills.md), perfect for clearing out anything still clinging to your floors without breaking a sweat. ### Prepare the sanding area Once you have removed old floor coverings, we highly recommend that you seal off the room in which you are working from the rest of your home with drop sheets. This will prevent any dust from travelling through your house and settling on any surfaces. ### Choose your sanding belts or discs Before you begin sanding, make sure you have an appropriate number of [sanding belts](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/abrasives-sanding.md) and discs for the sander you are planning to use. This will depend upon the size of the floor that you are sanding. It is also important that you choose the right sandpaper grit for the job at hand. The more coarse sandpaper you use, the more effective it will be at removing material. However, if the sandpaper you choose is too coarse, it can leave scratches when sanding floorboards. You also want to make sure you don’t choose sandpaper that is too fine and removes too little material or you could find yourself sanding away at your floors until the cows come home! ### Remove any nails or staples and repair floorboards A handy tip to check for nails and staples that must first be removed is to grab a one-metre ruler and run it across the floor. If the ruler scratches over any part of the floor, you will need to remove the nails/staples that are located here before continuing. This is also a good time to identify and repair any damaged or loose floorboards before moving on. ### **Punch in the floorboard nails** You must first make sure to punch the floorboard nails so they are firmly embedded in the wood below the surface. You can do this by using a hammer and nail punch on every floorboard nail. This needs to be done to prevent the nails from catching and ripping the sanding belt. ## **The Guardians of the Grain: Our Sanders are Top of the Range** We can’t go past the heroes in our arsenal: our [Drum Floor Sander](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/514a-floor-sander-drum-200mm-8.md?addToCart) and our [Floor Edger](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/515a-floor-edger-sander-175mm-7.md?addToCart) when talking about DIY hardwood floor restoration, With its wide, relentless sanding drum, our Drum Floor Sander is your go-to for conquering your hardwood floor refinishing project swiftly and efficiently. On the other hand, the edger, with its precision and agility, navigates the tight spaces and edges that the drum can’t reach. Together, they form an unstoppable duo that ensures no corner is left untouched nor grain unrefined. ## **Demystifying the Tools: A Deep Dive** Diving deeper into the capabilities of our sanding heroes, the Drum Floor Sander and Floor Edger are more than just machines; they're your partners in transformation. Their design prioritises ease of use, safety, and efficiency. - The [Drum Floor Sander](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/514a-floor-sander-drum-200mm-8.md?addToCart) has a powerful motor and an expansive sanding surface that makes quick work of any rough surface. - To [prepare](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/diy/sanding-a-wooden-floor.md) the drum sander, attach the dust bag securely to catch dust particles and prevent workspace clutter. Install the sandpaper belt by laying the sander on its side, lifting the drum cover, and sliding on the sandpaper roll with the appropriate grit. Once securely attached, raise the sanding drum using the designated handle before turning on the sander. Ensure the motor reaches full speed before starting to sand, moving with the grain to avoid scratching. Begin sanding by slowly moving forward and simultaneously lowering the sanding drum onto the floor. Only move in a forward motion to prevent damage, lifting the drum at the end of each path to avoid scours and scratches. - The [Floor Edger’s](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/515a-floor-edger-sander-175mm-7.md?addToCart) precision allows meticulous attention to detail along baseboards and room perimeters. The floor edger sander is designed for use on both hardwood and softwood surfaces. It has conveniently placed handles that allow for easy handling and control around a room’s edges. - After using the drum sander, switch to the edging sander to reach areas the floor sander couldn't, except for tight corners. Remove the lock nut and washer, then insert a sanding disc of your desired grit. Since the edging sander works with a circular sandpaper disc and might go against the grain in corners, use a finer grit to prevent scratching. Turn on the edging sander and sand methodically, applying gentle pressure to the room's edges. Equipped with these tools, flawlessly finished floors are easily obtained. ## **Conquering the Fear: Embracing the DIY Spirit** The idea of [DIY floor restoration](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/15-advanced-home-renovation-jobs-you-can-actually-do-yourself.md) often fills people with dread. Thoughts of irreversible mistakes and imperfect finishes haunt many. Yet, here in our DIY paradise, we equip you with more than just tools; we arm you with knowledge, confidence and support. With Hirepool’s expert advice and top-tier equipment, your fear will dissolve, empowering you to tackle your project head-on. Remember, every master was once a novice, and every flawlessly finished floor started with the courage to begin. ### Cleaning up your act Dust and debris are inevitable when sanding your floors, but they don't have to linger. Industrial [vacuum cleaners](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/floors-cleaning/vacuum-cleaners.md) available at Hirepool are designed to handle the toughest cleaning challenges. From fine [dust particles](https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/dust/silica-dust-in-the-workplace/) to larger debris, these high-powered vacuums ensure a thorough clean-up, promoting better air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory issues. ## **The Smart Way: Navigating Your Project with Insight** Choosing the best [sander](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/15-advanced-home-renovation-jobs-you-can-actually-do-yourself.md) for a floor restoration project is crucial to achieving a desirable finish and maintaining the integrity of your hardwood floorboards. ### **Efficiency in Sanding Large Areas** Drum sanders are fast and efficient, ideal for large, open floor areas where time and uniformity are of the essence. ### **Depth of Sanding** If your hardwood floors are significantly worn or have deep scratches or dents, a drum sander can level and smooth the surface effectively. ### **Professional-Grade Finish** A drum sander is often the chosen tool for those looking to achieve a professional-grade finish. When used correctly, it can prepare the floor more uniformly, creating a smooth finish for the final touches, such as staining and sealing. ### Cost-Effective for Larger Projects Completing the sanding process more quickly and [efficiently](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/10-renovation-mistakes-kiwis-make-and-how-to-avoid-them.md) reduces the rental period for the equipment and the amount of physical labour required, which, in turn, can reduce the overall cost of refinishing hardwood floors in your home or commercial space. Hirepool doesn’t just offer floor sander hire, we provide guidance on how to use the equipment confidently so you can achieve the best results for your floor restoration project. ## **The Great Debate: To Buy or to Hire?** **The question of buying versus hiring equipment looms large and comes down to what you value most: the cost of commitment or the freedom of flexibility.** Owning a piece of equipment offers the allure of readiness but comes with the burdens of cost, maintenance and storage. On the other hand, hiring from Hirepool presents a pathway paved with flexibility, cost-efficiency, and access to professional-grade equipment. It’s a choice between investing in a tool for life or investing in your project’s success. In our view, the latter often presents the most value, liberating you from the chains of ownership and opening the doors to hassle-free restoration. When it comes to fixing up your wooden floors, it's something you probably do only once every 10 years, at best. So, renting the gear from your local Hirepool just makes sense. Plus, you don't have to worry about finding space to stash the machines for the other 9 years when they're not in use. ## **Ready to Hire a Floor Sander with Hirepool?** Choosing Hirepool as your [flooring](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/jobs/flooring-tiling.md) restoration partner will ensure your [DIY](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/diy-hub.md) journey is as rewarding as the destination. Our wisdom well runs deep, and with our range of quality hire gear at your disposal, those tired wooden floors will go from drab to jaw-dropping before your eyes. From selecting the ideal [sander](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/floors-cleaning.md) to mastering the art of a uniform finish, our team is always ready to support you. Hirepool’s simple online booking system makes it easy to book the gear you need from your nearest [branch](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/branches.md). Need to sand your floors? You can Hirepool that! ## Equipment mentioned - [Floor Sander Drum 200mm (8")](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/514a-floor-sander-drum-200mm-8.md) - [Floor Edger Sander 175mm (7")](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/515a-floor-edger-sander-175mm-7.md) - [Wallboard Sander 225mm (9") (Sander only)](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation/sanders/511d-wallboard-sander-225mm-9-sander-only.md) Source: https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/restore-your-hardwood-floors-yourself