What is parquet scraping?

Parquet is one of the most prestigious floor coverings that fits harmoniously into any interior. However, it is quite demanding to maintain and periodically requires some repairs. In this case, a sanding machine and a fresh can of varnish for coating come to the rescue.

Parquet scraping – what is it?

Sanding is nothing more than sanding the surface of wooden blocks laid on the floor. Previously, a special “scraper” tool was used for this, which removed the top layer of wood on the panels manually.

Today, manual labor is not required; for these purposes there is a special device - a grinding machine. It is equipped with a drum with a layer of sandpaper. It removes the thin top layer from the laid covering, making the parquet smooth and beautiful. After completing the process, all that remains is to coat the flooring with varnish.

Important! It’s quite possible to do the work yourself by renting a machine. Just keep in mind that this requires certain skills.

Parquet scraping scheme

An important stage before scraping is the preparatory stage. During this period, the technician checks the degree of damage to the floor covering. If there are deeply rotten tiles across the entire surface of the floor or there are serious chips and cracks, you will need to replace the damaged floor parts.If the reason for sanding is only to remove outdated varnish and update the floor surface, this procedure is perfect.

It is also necessary to remove all furniture from the room and dismantle the baseboards. This is necessary because during work there will be a large accumulation of dust and its movement around the room. It is necessary to remove furniture from the room so as not to spend money on thorough cleaning. Don’t forget to protect yourself from dust masses: a respirator, gown, disposable cap and gloves will protect your body from fine dust.

The scheme of work is as follows:

• the floor is treated with coarse sandpaper to remove a layer of old varnish and slightly level the surface of the parquet;
• then it’s the turn of a finer grain of sandpaper for repeated sanding;
• the third stage includes another scraping procedure with the finest sandpaper or surface grinder, it will make the floor clean, smooth and even;
• in hard-to-reach places, use a grinder or an angle grinder;
• if there are large gaps between the dies, they need to be puttied with a special compound, which must dry before finishing sanding.

Important! Correct and competent sanding allows you to achieve a smooth and clean surface before applying a layer of varnish. This will make the flooring strong, beautiful and durable.

When should parquet sanding be done?

Cycling should be carried out regularly, but the frequency and frequency of the procedure depends only on the condition of the floor covering. Experts advise doing scraping in the following cases:

• the varnish coating of the parquet has faded, worn off or darkened;
• there are too many scratches, spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the coating;
• there are stubborn marks and stains that can no longer be washed off;
• wide gaps began to form between the wooden panels;
• wood blocks have lost their natural color;
• a creaking or dull sound from the floorboards is noticed.

There are situations when grinding is impossible or useless. This happens when the floor does not have the waterproofing layer required in such cases and the parquet is exposed to aggressive moisture from below. Dies are damaged due to the movement of heavy furniture or from bugs, mold and other pests. But it is also useless to carry out the procedure in case of large gaps between the dies or if they are damaged by getting wet.

Important! It is forbidden to carry out scraping at large differences in altitude.

Advantages and disadvantages of parquet scraping

The main advantages of sanding are the almost complete restoration of the original appearance of the parquet floor. Wooden dies acquire a natural, beautiful color, are leveled, and stains and scratches disappear. After sanding and varnishing the floor, it will delight the owners of the apartment for a long time with its noble and aesthetic appearance.

Among the disadvantages are the impossibility of performing the process with some defects in the floor covering, as well as the duration of the procedure and labor intensity. Sanding must be carried out three times before covering the wooden parquet with a special varnish.