If you are going to sand a floor then it is vital that you have the right equipment to do the job properly. Floor sanding is not overly complex, but if you don't have the right tools the result is not going to be good and you will have to live with that poor result every day.
The right equipment
Unless you plan on sanding floors regularly, you will probably be hiring rather than buying floor sanders for your job. When you talk to the hire company, you are likely to discover that there are a large number of floor sanders available, and it won't always be easy for you to determine which would be the best choice for your situation. There are small floor sanders, large commercial floor sanders, and special floor edging sanders to choose from. If you don't know which to choose, your best option is to talk to the hire company. They will be well acquainted with the capabilities of each of their floor sanders, and whether you need a general sander or an edging sander or maybe something to work on patterned floors or staircases, they will be able to help you make the most appropriate choice.
Before you start work
Once you know which floor sanders you are hiring, you can prepare your room to start work. It's better to choose the floor sanders for a future time rather than expecting them to be delivered immediately since you have no idea how long it will take you to prepare your room for sanding. You cannot determine the state of the floor simply by lifting the edge of the carpet. You will need to entirely remove the carpet to accurately judge the condition of the floor underneath. After removing the carpet, check for loose or damaged floorboards. If you find any remnants of lino, hardboard or underlay stuck to the floor, it is better to remove as much as possible of it before you start sanding. If you rely on the floor sanders to remove it, you will probably only gum up your abrasives and waste your money.
Once your floor sanders arrive
Once you are in possession of your floor sanders then you must be certain that they are working correctly and that you know how they work properly. Always check the floor sanders as soon as you get them. You don't want to waste your hire time if you discover a problem. Most importantly always read the instruction manual, if you have any doubts about how to operate the floor sanders talk to the hire company, who will be able to advise you.
