How to refinish your floors
Step 1: how to sand the floor
You have to start your finishing with sanding the floor.
1. Take everything out of the room-rugs, furniture, and everything else. The entire room has to be empty.
2. Go over your floor very, very carefully. If you find any nails in the floor, then you will need to pound them into the floor so that they don't stick up out of the floor. If you find any tacks or staples from a carpet, then you need to take them out of the floor.
3. Look in the phone book for your local equipment rental shop. You are going to need to rent a floor sander-you don't want to sand the entire floor by hand. Drum sanders are the regular way to go, but if you have never used a drum sander before, then you might want to rethink the drum sander because they are heavy, difficult to maneuver, and always have to be moving.
4. Think about renting an orbital sander. These are easier to control than drum sanders. Whichever way you go, ask for a demonstration of the sander.
5. Go buy a bunch of sandpaper for your rental machine. Buy a range of different grits; you will need 36, 60, 80, and 100.
6. Put the 36-grit sandpaper in the machine.
7. Turn on the sander. Run it across the floor in the same direction of the grain. Go straight and even and don't go across the grain. Always keep the machine in motion and try not to gouge the floor.
8. When you have gone over the entire floor with the 36 grit sandpaper, switch to the 60 grit. Sand any lines and scratches in the floor that you find.
9. Move to the next lighter sandpaper, and then the next lighter.
10. If you can't get all the way to the edges of the floor, you will need to rent an edging machine.
11. Make sure that you close all of the doors of your house and turn off the furnace fan. Otherwise you will get dust all through the house when you sand your floors. You can also hang wet sheets over the doors.
|
|
1. Start by knowing your credit score and your credit rating.
Before you even apply for a loan, you need to check on your credit score. Knowing your credit score and credit rating is important for several different reasons. First of all, if there are any mistakes, then you can correct them right now before you apply for loans, so that you can get the rates that you deserve.
Also, if you know that you have a high credit score but a lender wants to give you higher rates and fees for your loan than you deserve, you can call hem on it. You can order your credit score for free once a year from the three major credit reporting companies. Here they are:
Equifax: (800) 685-1111, www.equifax.com;
Experian: (888) 397-3742, www.experian.com/consumer; and
TransUnion: (800) 916-8800, www.transunion.com/index.jsp.
You can also go to www.annualcreditreport.com to order a credit report from all three agencies. Make sure that you only go to this site, since there are many imposter sites that will require you to sign up for extra services and will charge you fees.
2. Beware using home equity loans as a way to consolidate your credit card debts.
Unless you can find a really, extra-good home equity loan with fantastic rates, it might be better just to pay off your credit cards. If you screw up your home equity loan payments, then you lose your house.
3. Shop around for the right loan.
In order to find the right loan, you need to go to a number of different lenders. Make sure that you ask for a detailed explanation of the loan, taking care to focus on knowing absolutely every one of the fees attached to the loan and if they could ever go up any time. The lowest monthly payment might not be the right option!
Consider using a housing counselor. You can find certified counselors through the U.S. Department of Housing at 1.888.466.3487 or at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm.
4. Found the right loan? Do all of the fStep 2: how to stain the floor
You can leave your floor natural; if this is the case, then you should move to step 3. Or you can stain it a certain color.
1. Get rid of all of the sawdust in the room using a broom.
2. Then get out a shop vac to get rid of any other sawdust in the room.
3. Open up your windows. You will need quite a bit of ventilation.
4. You need to check the stain color. Put a small amount of stain on a rag and apply it to the floor in a hidden corner, such as a back corner in the closet. Then wait for 5 minutes as the stain dries. Make sure you like the color.
6. Now you're going to have to apply the first coat of stain to the entire floor. If you want a heavier coat, then you can use a brush. But if you prefer a lighter coat, then you should use a rag. Make sure that you go with the grain of the wood.
7. Apply a second coat. A third if you would like. Then touch up any areas. Wait for the floor to dry before you finish the floor.
Step 3: Finishing the floor
1. You will need polyurethane finish. Stir it, much like you stir paint.
2. Use a brush or a roller to apply the polyurethane finish. Go with the grain, and use even strokes. Otherwise there will be marks in the finish.
3. Let the finish dry. This will take a few hours.
4. Apply your second coat. Let the coat of finish dry from overnight to 3 days.
ollowing before you sign.
1. Read through the entirety of all of the loan papers.
2. Have someone else there such as a lawyer or a friend who knows what's going on. Have them read through the loan papers also.
3. Even if you've had all the fees explained, have them explained again.
4. Ask lots of questions, and take your time! This is a big deal.
5. Look carefully at the loan documents. Are there any blank spaces that could be filled in after you sign?
6. If you find anything in the loan documents that you didn't expect, then you should walk out.
7. Make sure that you know the following information:
-- the total cost that you will be paying back. This includes all fees and interest.
-- the APR (annual percentage rate)
-- how long you have to pay back your loan
-- the number of payments that you will have to make and how much each one will be.
-- how much money you have actually borrowed.
