Vacuum > Refinish Your Hardwood Floor Like a Pro

Refinish Your Hardwood Floor Like a Pro

by: Dan Farrell

This article is written by a pro of refinishing hardwood floors since I have done too many to count. Maybe 300 would be a good guess.?

My father was in the business full time (as well as aluminum windows and doors (which I'll write another article about that soon) and while I attended college, and for a short time after, I worked with him as well as on my own refinishing hardwood floors.

In fact, I just did my mother-in-law's last summer and my back still hurts!

Before you even think of starting this DIY project, you need to be fairly good shape. There is a lot of bending, kneeling and scraping :(

Ok, you still are here reading so I guess you are serious :o)

Here are the easy? steps to a beautiful, shiny hardwood floor:

1. Determine what kind of finish you would like first. There are a couple
choices, low gloss and high gloss. It's strictly taste as they both wear the same. I prefer a polyurethane paint but some like varnishes. I found urethane to be a durable finish and won't yellow over time. Look for 'non-yellowing' on the can.?

2. Go to your local hardware store that carries floor sanders, edger sander, pain scrapers, sandpaper (medium) and the floor paint.?

3. Prepare your floor by filling in any blemishes, depressions, cracks and nail holes.

4. Sweep and then vacuum floor. (at this point I would hang a plastic sheet over any door openings if the door has been removed (new construction etc).

5. Sand main floor being careful to keep sander going in same direction. Start with a coarse sandpaper and switch to finer for second sanding. The first sanding is to get to bare wood and the second for a finished look.

6. Sand the edges. The trick here is to use a fairly light touch and rotate the sander in semi-circle reducing sand marks.

7. Now the fun part. Take your scraper in scrape the corners and under heaters. Don't worry about under heaters too much as it won't be that noticeable.

8. Whew! The hard part is done. Now the fun part. Sweep and vacuum floor and if you see a swirl or sanding marks scrape the out.?

9. Put the sealer down. Wait at least 2 hours, hand sand the whole floor, vacuum and apply the urethane.?If you don't have air conditioning, put a fan on the floor to dry it quicker.

10. I usually waited at least 4-5 hours for it dry, most of the time overnight. I recommend at least 2 coats of urethane for a durable, hard finish.?

You're done! Wow not so bad was it??

Oh yeah,

Email me for a chiropractor :o)

About The Author

Dan Farrell is the owner of http://www.closet-organizer-plan.com where you can get a free closet organizer plan and other home improvement ideas and articles.

The Two Biggest Lies About Abdominal Training

The Two Biggest Lies About Abdominal Training

by: Dan Farrell

If you have ever read a fitness magazine...

If you have ever watched TV ads about latest machines that will "magically" reveal your abs...

If you have ever gone to a gym and seen tens of people lying on the floor doing crunches....

Then beware - because chances are you are a victim of the two biggest abdominal training hoaxes!

Hoax # 1

Just doing some midsection exercises can reduce your "love handles".

Fact:

You cannot reduce fat from a certain targeted area of your body just by using exercise alone. The abdominal area is no exception.

So, if you want to get a flat stomach and reveal your abs, losing the fat covering them is the way to go.

The only way to do this is to lose fat proportionately from your entire body by burning more calories than you consume.

How? By doing these two things:

1) Have a healthy and balanced permanent...

The Two Biggest Lies About Abdominal Training

Vacuum > The Two Biggest Lies About Abdominal Training

Water Damaged Carpet, What Can Be Done?

by: Randy Heslip

Water damage can come in many varieties, from a spilling a single bucket to a complete basement flooding. How you approach your carpet clean up will also depend on the quality of the water if it is clean water, like rain water, or is it from a sewer backup. Each situation should be evaluated on an individual basis, but here are some general guidelines.

First the obvious try to stop the water at the source to eliminate further damage. Check behind the walls as water may be trapped in the insulation or behind the vapor barrier. Next remove all furniture from the room, lift up the edges of the carpet and remove the uderpadding and discard. Extract as much of the water as possible, try to do this soon as you can, as bacteria and mold can set in quickly. Note ? depending on the size and scope of damage it may be worth calling in a professional. After you have extracted as much of the water as...

Water Damaged Carpet, What Can Be Done?

Vacuum > Water Damaged Carpet, What Can Be Done?

Keeping Your Laptop Like New ? ALWAYS

by: Ismael D. Tabije

Laptops are expensive. Therefore you need to take real good care of it. And laptop maintenance is not a one time thing. It should be a regular exercise. To prevent your notebook's LCD from becoming smudged or dirty you should clean it regularly. We recommend spraying a diluted window cleaner onto a soft, non-abrasive cloth and then lightly wiping the screen with it. It might be simpler to just spray the detergent directly on the screen but it?s not recommended as the fluid can trickle down into the bezel at the screen's bottom which could in turn damage the computer's circuitry.

When it comes to getting rid of dust, dirt and food crumbs off the keyboard, a vacuum cleaner's brush attachment is ideal. There are handheld vacuum cleaners, specifically intended for PCs that can remove the dust and food from in between the gaps on the keyboard. But if you?re traveling, a vacuum cleaner would...

Keeping Your Laptop Like New ? ALWAYS

Vacuum > Keeping Your Laptop Like New ? ALWAYS

Quick Smart Cleaning ? The Lounge

by: Barry Hynd

In our very first quick smart cleaning guide we look at how you can clean your lounge area in fifteen minutes.

Now, you?re probably thinking that a fifteen-minute clean just isn't possible. Not only is it possible, though, it's also highly desirable: it can be a very long day when yu have to work, look after the kids and take care of all of the household chores, too: hopefully we can show you how to save a little but of time which you can then spend however you want.

First of all before we start you?ll need some sort of basket or bag. This is to put non-lounge items in. It would also be good if you could have a duster to hand and also a vacuum cleaner or a brush. OK, are you ready?

Take a look around the room to find any items that don?t belong in the lounge. Put these in your basket or bag and put it to one side. The settee is next: brush down all the cushions and check down the backs...

Quick Smart Cleaning ? The Lounge

Vacuum > Quick Smart Cleaning ? The Lounge

12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

by: John Murray

Carpets, there in all of our homes. Of course it's a given that at some point you will be doing some carpet cleaning. Here are 12 things to know about carpet cleaning that will make your life easier.

1. Toxic

Most of the products on the market for carpet cleaning are safe and will have a minimal impact on the environment. However some of the carpet cleaning products do contain toxic chemicals which can be hazardous to the person using them as well as other people in the house or pets. So be sure to read the labels carefully before using. Always try to choose a product with the least amount of chemicals and in the mildest you can find that will work.

2. Clean Often

It's always best to clean your carpets on a regular basis. If you do not clean your carpets on a regular basis you will need to use a stronger chemical product because the dirt will have ground itself deeper...

12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

Vacuum > 12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

Dealing With Colic Without Losing Your Mind

Dealing With Colic Without Losing Your Mind

by: Sarah Veda

For a brand new mommy, or even a seasoned one, dealing with a colicky baby can be overwhelming. The constant crying is heartbreaking and nerve wracking, and leaves you with a sense of helplessness. But don?t lose heart; the only good thing I can tell you about colic is that it?s temporary. Here are a few ideas to keep you going.

First ? Be sure it?s really colic. If you haven?t had the little one checked out by a doctor, do so. Sometimes what?s written off as colic is really a milk allergy or some other true gastric disorder, like acid reflux. If the baby is on formula, you should ask if making a change in brand might help.

Secondly, get help! If you have to deal with the colicky symptoms all by yourself every day, you?re bound to go nuts. Swap off with your spouse, another family member or a friend. My daughter had colic for the two longest weeks of my life, and it began every...

Dealing With Colic Without Losing Your Mind

Vacuum > Dealing With Colic Without Losing Your Mind