Dust Free - Quality Timber Floor Finishes

Q) Will there be any dust?

A) Ingrain Technique prides itself with a TOTALLY DUSTFREE SERVICE and there will be NO wood dust electrostatically clouded over any surfaces.

Q) Which coating is suitable for my floor?

A) Ingrain Technique will assess the decor and functional needs of your home and advise on a coating to compliment

Q) Will my floor change colour?

A) Yes. Timber has a natural fibrous cellular structure and will oxidise over time and will also show discolouration from prolonged or concentrated natural light reacting with tannis and resins in the timber fibre.

Q) How should I look after my new timber floor?

A) Ingrain Technique will provide maintenance advice according to the coating chosen and can arrange a maintenance service.

Q) What should I do if I spill any food or liquid?

A) Wipe up immediately with a soft damp cloth with low detergent non abrasive water based cleaner

Q) How long will my floor last?

A) Depending on traffic and care, your floor will have an average life at least 5 years before a light cut back and buff of the existing coat and application of a recoat and your floor will be like new again. It is important to mention that good quality thick self adhesive felt be placed on the bases of chair legs and bases of EVERY item of furniture to be placed back upon your completed floor and replaced at least once a year.

Q) Can you do repairs in one area only?

A) Yes although there will be discolouration between the old and newly repaired area. Alternatively the entire room can be sanded completely leaving no trace of repair.

Q) How long will this take?

A) Depending on the size of the area and task at hand your average size 80 - 120 square meter home will take approximately one week from start to finish but this will be assessed in detail on application.

Q) How should I maintain my floor?

A) While polyurethanes are widely recognised as the most durable surface coatings for floors, they are inevitably subject to wear, particularly when any gritty substance is introduced on to the floor. Grit will act in the same manner as sandpaper, and large particles of grit under shoes or heavy furniture will not only cut through the coating but damage the timber or cork as well.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that the average polyurethane coating system (three coats) is only about 100 microns (0.1mm) thick, and therefore cannot prevent indentation of timber when subjected to excessive forces such as occasioned by stiletto heals or certain castor wheels. The incidence of indentation will also be directly related to the density of the timber or cork. For example hardwoods such as Brushbox are much less predisposed to indentation than softer timbers such as Cypress Pine.

The key to successful maintenance of polyurethane treated floors is the exclusion of any gritty substance from the floor. This can be achieved by the placement of mats in external doorways. It is also imperative that the legs of furniture be fitted with felt pads.

Regularly wipe over the floor with an electrostatic dust mop like an ENJO or similar microfibre type dust mop or sweep with a soft bristle broom. We caution against the use of vacuum cleaners, particularly if the bristles are worn as the cleaning head may scratch the floor. The frequency of cleaning is dependant on the level of traffic, amount of grit carried onto the floor, and activity of children, and pets etc.

Q) How often should I clean my floor?

A) To routinely clean your floor, mix up to one cup of Methylated Spirits or White Vinegar into a bucket of hot water, and mop the floor, regularly rinsing the mop. The use of detergents for regular maintenance is not recommended, because a deposit of detergent is left on the floor, which on a high gloss floor is very noticeable. If, however, there is a spillage or build up of any greasy substance on the floor, then washing with a non abrasive detergent will be required. Prevent a build up of streaking and smear marks from using detergent by following with further wash with the Methylated spirits or Vinegar and hot water solution.

Q) Which floor polishes should I use?

A) Under normal domestic conditions a polyurethane coating will last many years. However, in commercial locations or areas exposed to high traffic levels, it may be necessary to protect the coating with sacrificial floor polish. For example the polish will take the brunt of the wear, and can easily be replenished when necessary. Suitable polishes are those based on a metal-link acrylic polymer, which can be readily removed by washing with ammonia solutions if there is an excessive build up in non traffic areas. These polishes are also suitable in restoring the gloss of a polyurethane floor which has not been excessively worn, but may have scuffed badly. Commercially available floor polishes suitable for polyurethane coated timber and cork floors are - Johnsons' One-Go, Reckitts' Long life or Peerless Gemini.