Refinishing a hardwood floor is usually the only way to get back the original richness and beauty of the wood. Learning how to refinish hardwood floors can take a while to learn.  It may be wise to have a professional do it.

Before you consider refinishing your hardwood floor, you have to decide if your floor is worth refinishing. Floors with shallow scratches and dull surfaces require only a top coat of finishing.

In some cases, like buckle, wrapped and sagging planks, refinishing isn’t enough.  When that occurs, your best alternative is to replace the board.

Hardwood floors can be refinished a limited number of times as each sanding takes off more wood. You can check the floor edge or around a heat register to find out how much of the wood remains.

Equipment can be rented from hardware stores

Though refinishing is best done by a professional, you can choose to do it yourself . Most of the necessary equipment is available at local hardware and rental centers. You will need a buffer, drum sander, orbital/palm sander, putty knife and scraper, shop vacuum, floor edger, ear protection, dust masks, safety goggles, lamb’s wool and natural bristle brush and tack cloths.

Before your start, remove everything off the floor, and sweep it thoroughly. All leftover carpet staples have to be removed using diagonal pliers, while a hammer and nail set has to be used to sink exposed nails that may damage abrasives or sanding machines.

The baseboards have to be left alone, unless you wish to replace them, which can be done using a pry bar. To prevent dust spreading throughout the house, plastic has to be hung over the room’s doorways and rags and towels have to be placed under doors and over vents.

Be sure to check for cracks, squeaks and other repairs the floor may require, before you start sanding or refinishing the hardwood floor.