Floorboards to thin to sand

[Anonymous]

We live in a property built around 1910 and wanted to sand the wooden floorboards and restain. However the floorboards are very thin only around half an inch thick so have been advised by a friend (who is a carpenter) not to do this as if you used an industrial sander it would not leave much floorboard left!

So i am left with a dilemma

I suppose I could have new floorboards fitted but estimate the price at around £300

Or could I hand sand them, a little time consuming but may be worth it,there is little varnish left on some of the floorboards

Does anyone have any other suggestions, there are a couple of the boards that are split.

Many thanks

Hannah

 

[Anonymous]

Just sand lightly - you'll be alright.

 

[Anonymous]

Why do you want to sand them? What's wrong with them?
If they're a bit grimy, have you tried washing them? Give them a good going over with soapy water and a soft scrubbing brush, making sure that you wipe up all the liquid immediately as you go - old towels are best. You'll be surprised at how much muck you remove.
Then, after they're properly dry, if you still feel they need some surface finish removed (I think you mentioned varnish) try using a paint stripper rather than sanding.
If you really feel that you must sand them, do so very lightly with a hand-held orbital sander. This should take off surface muck without cutting into the wood.

 

[Anonymous]

I quite agree. I did mine with almost no sanding, just spent a fair while with a mop and bucket, then lightly sanded the black stuff off in one corner with a handheld tool.

Heavyweight sanders will flatly sand away all unevenness in the boards, consequently they need to take a few mm off just to sand the whole surface area. There is normally no need for this, only if your boards are badly warped. Slight cupping is harmless.

NT

 

[Anonymous]

Thanx for your replies, my problem re the sanding is that a few of the boards are split so will need replacing, and my worry was the ones i replace will stick out like a sore thumb they also have wood worm (which is dead tho!) im not as worried about that .

Maybe i'll try the paint stripper.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

Please see my piece if it helps. (Link) I have sanded dozens of floors by hand, some upto 700 year old, no problem if you do it correctly, you will remove less than 1mm so hardly any effect on colouration etc. At half an inch I would normally reccomend my customers to consider replacing the boards as they are not exactly structurally sound!!! (22mm or 0.86 of an inch is normally accepted as a reasonable thickness for a safe floor)

Regards

Toby


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