Refinishing a floor?

If you rent a sander from home depot or something like that I don't think it would be too bad.  I found this information on the DIY network web-site,  http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/diy_kits/article/0,2019,DIY_13787_5856413,00.html.  I don't think it is expensive, just time consuming. 

The one thing you need to check first though is make sure the floor is dry, really really dry.  Water damage is something you can't fix without having to replace the boards themselves and that's expensive. 

We have refinished hardwood floors using a professional and DH doing it. It is not "hard" I actually think the one DH did looked better but it took much longer. I think when we had the living room and hall way done (big area) it was $300-$400 but I am not sure on that. I don't think it was much cheaper than just doing our bedroom when we moved in (10x10). It depends on who you go with.

If the damage is surface you should be able to get good results with a re-finish job. If you go pro (or even do it your self) pay attention to your finish that makes the difference. We did a satin finish (less slippery) and DH was adamant about the type of finish polyurethane over varnish. One has a better life than the other. I think poly is better. I don't remember exactly. We probably will re do our bedroom someday not to far off. The guy didn't do the best job, but we were in a hurry. Because we can't move the furniture the dogs walk the same path every time. We did not stain, we just sanded and re finished and I love the natural look.

The damage I'm referring to is the finish.  This floor is old so there is already some warping, etc of pretty much all the boards.  I kinda like it though, the floors have character and don't look fake like those Pergo floors.  What I'm seeing is the areas affected by the spill now have this whiteish/yellowish crusty look.  I think the finish on the floor was almost worn off anyway and now the water spill is lifting it in those areas.  There's another spot where a cat barfed and the same thing happened.  It's the type of thing where if you get it "wet" again (like spray it with pledge or mop the floor with pinesol) it looks fine

 My sister had theirs redone recently and it cost them $1200!! That's craziness. But I have also heard that it is very difficult to do yourself with a buffer, because if you don't do it just right you'll get uneven spots.

Also, some friends of mine told me that since their house is on a slab, they cannot ever get their floors refinished.  Not sure why; something about how the boards are glued down as opposed to nailed down.  We had hardwoods put in our house, but we have a crawl space, so the boards are nailed and glued, therefore can be refinished if needed.  If you're on a slab, apparently you just have to replace the boards.

aerial1313

Also, some friends of mine told me that since their house is on a slab, they cannot ever get their floors refinished.  Not sure why; something about how the boards are glued down as opposed to nailed down.  We had hardwoods put in our house, but we have a crawl space, so the boards are nailed and glued, therefore can be refinished if needed.  If you're on a slab, apparently you just have to replace the boards.

Interesting, I never heard that but I have always had a basement so I wouldn't know.

One thing we were told was do not use "ANY" cleaner on a hardwood floor ever (finished or unfinished) we mop our hardwood floors with water and vinegar.

I agree with Max's mom.  I would have a professional come out and give you a quote and rack their brain while they are there.  I would call a local floor company as oppossed to Home Depot or Lowe's who usually charge for an estimate.  Most places give free ones and you should always get 3 estimates before you do a project like that anyway so it wouldn't be weird if you got one and even tell them you are thinking of doing it yourself but not sure that there is really enough cost benefit when it comes to renting the machine and buying all the supplies, hence the quote.  You wouldn't believe the kind of info you can absorb just by talking to someone about them doing it.  They might even be able to, or even be able to tell you how to repair the spots without actually refinishing the entire room.

You might also see if Home Depot or Lowe's is having a DIY class related to it...or even go in and rack the brains of the people there.  I would also go to a local floor store an ask questions.  You my find one method that works better than another. 

I wonder if the person who couldn't refinish theirs actually had laminate or faux hardwoods.  I know we can't refinish ours either b/c it is just an image attached to the boards.  They are far more durable though and should last a lot longer than real hardwood floors.  That is why we went with them b/c of the dogs. 

Good luck!

I'll probably just have my dad take a quick look (he's a carpenter/painter, etc).  We rent, this is a piece of s*** house, so no way am I paying for a pro job or even a consultation.  I explained it to a co-worker and he said it probably would be cheaper for me to fix than if the landlord kept the security deposit. 

Everyone I had come in for an estimate was free. Just an idea.  

I thought it was a good idea too simply as a means to get more info about the process, especially since you can usually get a free estimate.  Not to actually have them do the job.  But if your dad is handy, he can probably give you just as good of info!

boneyjean

I thought it was a good idea too simply as a means to get more info about the process, especially since you can usually get a free estimate.  Not to actually have them do the job.  But if your dad is handy, he can probably give you just as good of info!

Yeah he has done floors before, or I could just pay my little bro a bit.  He's a carpenter (builds houses).  I think I know *how* to do it, but I've never used one of those floor sanders before and I know it's important to do that part right or I'm going to have even more grooves!  Maybe I can find someone with that tool rather than having to rent...this room is so small, it's like the size of my cubicle at work.