FAQ

Question 1

I’m not sure if I need a floor repair. Can you inspect my wood floor?

Answer

Of course. We are a trustworthy company that always acts with integrity. We’ll visit your property to inspect your wooden floorboards thoroughly and give you our honest assessment.

Question 2

Do I need to provide any materials?

Answer

While we don’t provide flooring, we do source and procure replacement boards and all the related materials. Once you hire us to repair your wooden flooring, you can sit back and relax.

Question 3

What does your wood floor repair service include?

Answer

The short answer is everything required to make your wood floor safe, even and presentable. This includes fixing floorboards into place, repairing minor cracks and gaps will filling materials and providing all the necessary materials.

Question 4

Can you repair floorboards?

Answer

Yes, this is our preferred method of wooden flooring repair. We use a range of equipment and the very best finishing products to restore boards to their original condition. But when the damage is too extensive, we’ll be honest and upfront with you.

Question 5

How do you replace just a few floorboards?

Answer

We can lift individual floorboards up when they’re beyond repair. We have access to hundreds of products, so we’ll find the closest possible match to ensure your entire floor looks as if it were laid afresh on that day.

Question 6

How do you fix a water damaged parquet floor?

Answer

We start by identifying the source of the damage. Once that has been addressed, we identify the affected area and assess each parquet block for damage. The affected area is dried out, and replacement parquet blocks are used to fill the gaps. We’ll always do everything we can to salvage water-damaged blocks, but they’re often warped beyond repair.

Question 7

Can you repair a hole in a wood floor?

Answer

It all depends on the size and nature of the whole. In many cases, removing a hole involves replacing the damaged boards responsible for it. But if the hole is small, a wood filler might do the job.

Question 8

Is parquet flooring easy to maintain?

Answer

Yes, but you should avoid the use of harsh cleaning chemicals. Sweep your floor regularly, mop up spillages immediately and remove greasy or sticky messes with a slightly damp mop (never wet). Aim to re-finish your parquet flooring at least once every two or three years. And if you notice damage, call us to repair it before it gets worse.

Question 9

Can you sand and polish wooden floorboards yourself?

Answer

While it’s possible, we see the results of unprofessional sanding jobs all the time. And in many cases, the cost of rectifying mistakes is higher than the cost of hiring professionals to perform the initial work. Nothing delivers results or extends the lifespan of a wooden floor like the expertise of a floor sanding specialist.

Question 10

Can you over-sand wooden flooring?

Answer

The simple answer is yes. Every time you sand a wooden floor, you thin down the boards. Over time, this can jeopardise the strength and stability of your floor. While we recommend getting your floor checked by a professional every two to three years, a full sanding should only be necessary every five to ten years.

Question 11

How often should wood floors be sanded?

Answer

This depends on the footfall they endure. However, as a simple rule of thumb, a wooden floor can be sanded between four and six times before it will start to lose strength and stability. This should give you a lifetime of service, however. We wouldn’t usually recommend sanding a floor more often than once every five to ten years.

Question 12

How long does it take to sand a floor?

Answer

This depends on the size of the floor and the condition it is in. However, most domestic wooden floors take around a day to complete. This doesn’t include the initial assessment and preparation, however. .

Question 13

Does professional floor sanding leave a mess?

Answer

Not when you hire Wooden Flooring Experts. We use dust extraction equipment to ensure wood shavings and dust are removed from the room as we work. And we perform a thorough cleaning routine after every job to ensure the enture floor is pristine.

Question 14

What colour will my floor be after the sanding process?

Answer

The sanding process removes dirt, grime, grease and any imperfections in the wood. This leaves the wood in its natural state. The exact colour will depend on the type of wood.

Question 15

Is sanding old floors noisy?

Answer

It can be noisy, just like any renovation work. We use the latest sanding tools to ensure a great finish, so you should expect a reasonable amount of noise. We’ll do our best to keep noise to a minimum, however. And if you need us to pause for a few minutes, just ask us!

Question 16

Can parquet floors be sanded?

Answer

Yes, we sand parquet floors across London regularly. However, the multi-directional nature of this type of wooden flooring requires a highly specialised approach — one we’ve perfected over the years.

Question 17

Can a staircase be repaired?

Answer

Absolutely, we repair staircases in London regularly. In many cases, replacing broken sections with quality hardwood is enough to extend the life of a staircase for many years.

Question 18

How do I refurbish my stairs?

Answer

We always advise people to enlist the services of staircase renovation specialists. Repairing or replacing a staircase is a highly technical process that requires several skills. Attempting such a huge job yourself without formal training could leave you with an unsightly and dangerous staircase in your home.

Question 19

How do you fix creaking stairs from above?

Answer

One way to tackle this issue is to screw the tread into the riser. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could create a seriously dangerous hazard in your home. Our advice is to always hire professionals for the job.

Question 20

Why are my stairs creaking?

Answer

In our experience, creaking stairs are caused by two issues: shrinkage of the timbers and general wear and tear. We can identify the cause during a visit to your property and suggest the most cost-effective way of dealing with it.

Question 21

Is my wooden floor too damaged to restore?

Answer

In our experience, even the most shabby wooden floors are rarely beyond repair. Provided they’re solid and safe underneath all the dirt and grime, we should be able to restore your floor by performing minor repairs and sanding each board thoroughly. If you’re in doubt, we can visit your property to give you a full assessment of your floor’s condition.

Question 22

How long will my restored hardwood floor last?

Answer

If you take good care of your floor by mopping up spillages immediately, using furniture leg protectors and sweeping regularly, you won’t need to restore your floor again for at least another seven years — and possibly more.

Question 23

Can you restore a laminate floor?

Answer

Absolutely. We provide floor sanding services that strip wooden floorboards to the bare wood underneath. This allows you to reseal your floor from scratch for a fantastic finish.

Question 24

Are floorboards worth restoring?

Answer

In the vast majority of cases, yes. Floorboards often look dirty and tired, but all they need is a little TLC. We have the knowledge and experience to transform floorboards to their original condition.

Question 25

Do I need to be present during the floor restoration?

Answer

Not necessarily, but it’s always best if you’re in the vicinity. We may need access to a restricted area, or a problem might arise that requires your attention. If we hit a snag and you’re not around to help, your floor restoration might be delayed.

Question 26

How can I restore my hardwood floors myself?

Answer

We never advise amateurs to take on hard floor restoration — it’s just not worth the risk. While you might save some money, you could end up doing damage to your floor. Only a professional has the experience, expertise and specialised equipment needed to restore a hardwood floor to its former glory.

Question 27

Can parquet floors be refinished?

Answer

Yes, absolutely. Our experts refinish parquet floors all the time, using a range of sealant agents and processes. But before we refinish, we must attend to any repairs and sand or polish the flooring.

Question 28

How many times can a parquet floor be refinished?

Answer

While there’s no hard and fast rule on this, most parquet floors require refinishing every seven to ten years, but this depends on issues such as footfall and maintenance. If you look after your floor, it should deliver a lifetime of faithful service.

Question 29

Can you seal hardwood floors without sanding?

Answer

Yes. If the floor is in reasonably good condition, we’ll buff the top to remove the upper layer of sealant. We then apply a refresher coat of sealant. This is useful if you simply want to reseal a floor you had restored just a few years ago.

Question 30

What is the best way to clean a sealed wooden floor?

Answer

We recommend using a microfibre mop (damp, not wet) and a little dishwashing detergent. Let the mop do the work, not the water. Wring out your mop every time you rinse it, as too much water on a sealed floor can cause damage.

Question 31

Can I add wood oils to a sealed floor?

Answer

Unfortunately, you can’t, as the oils won’t be able to penetrate the surface of the wood. You’ll most likely end up with a stick accumulation, which might prove very difficult to remove. If you think your sealed floor is looking dry, you may need the services of a floor restoration expert.

Question 32

Can you refinish a very old wood floor?

Answer

This depends on the strength and condition of the floor. If it has already been finished and resealed several times, we may recommend replacement. Every time a floor is refinished, a layer of wood is removed. And over time, this can cause the boards to become thinner. Other issues such as damp, woodworm and general wear and tear might also prevent resealing. But if the floor is strong, stable and in reasonably good condition, it doesn’t matter how old it is.

Question 33

What type of floor is the cheapest to install?

Answer

In our opinion, nothing beats the look and feel of a solid wood floor. However, very similar results can be achieved with laminate and engineered wood at a fraction of the cost.

Question 34

Is it worth it to install your own flooring?

Answer

No, it’s always best to hire professionals for wood floor installation in London. While you might save some money in the short run by doing it yourself, the results won’t be anywhere near as good or as long-lasting as they’ll be when Wooden Flooring Experts are on the case.

Question 35

Which is better, solid hardwood or engineered hardwood?

Answer

If you live in a humid environment, engineered hardwood is probably the best option, as it allows for more expansion and contraction. Engineered flooring doesn’t use as much wood, so it tends to be cheaper. The great thing about engineered hardwood when it’s on the floor is that no one would ever know it’s not solid wood.

Question 36

What are the disadvantages of engineered wood flooring?

Answer

There aren’t any major disadvantages involved with installing engineered hardwood flooring. However, it’s fair to say it won’t last as long as solid wood — particularly if it has a low-quality core.

Question 37

Is engineered wood considered solid wood?

Answer

No, engineered wood features a solid wood top and a manufactured core. Engineered wood flooring layers consist of materials such as HDF, plywood and softwood. Solid wood is just that — 100% solid wood.

Question 38

How long does engineered wood flooring last?

Answer

This depends heavily on use. With moderate traffic levels, regular maintenance and a professional installation service, an engineered wood floor can last for between 25 to 3o years.

Question 39

Can I install my own hardwood floors?

Answer

While some highly experienced DIY experts have installed their own hardwood flooring, we’d never recommend it. Hardwood flooring is expensive, and the last thing you want is to waste it through cutting mistakes. Always hire a professional floor installer for the job — you’ll get the best possible finish.

Question 40

What do you lay under parquet flooring?

Answer

It depends on the subfloor. However, we often use plywood with a suitable underlay. We make this decision once we’ve been able to fully assess the site. Moisture can sometimes be a factor in our decisions.

Question 41

How do you stain hardwood floors?

Answer

At Wooden Flooring experts, we start by removing debris, nails etc. We then repair or replace any boards or blocks before assessing the entire floor for imperfections. We may recommend sanding the entire space to ensure a smooth, even finish. Once the floor is clean and smooth, we apply several coats of the stain using specialised applicators.

Question 42

Can I stain my floors without sanding?

Answer

Yes, it’s possible using a method called screen and recoat. However, in our experience, sanding a floor before staining delivers the best, longest-lasting results.

Question 43

Can I stain over hardwood floors?

Answer

Yes, you can use a gel-based stain, but we recommend getting your existing floor fully repaired, sanded and refinished. Applying staining to existing wood flooring can generate mixed results.

Question 44

How long does stain last on hardwood floors?

Answer

If you hire professionals for restaining wood floors, you should expect the results to last for up to eight years. However, this depends on how traffic levels.