Wendy’s BlogFixing a Vintage Hardwood Floor – Unexpected Issue
Wendy’s Blog
Every project comes with unanticipated and often surprising issues that need to be addressed
We were contracted to refinish a hardwood floor in a vintage mansion. Although we had done a preliminary evaluation of the project before commencing, once our refinisher got in deeper, an issue that was not seen previously came to light.
Plowing through and fixing all the items our clients showed us they wanted to be fixed, our refinisher, Marvin, discovered an uneven edge next to the brick fireplace hearth. Unless you inspected the wood up close you wouldn’t necessarily find it, which is why the owners didn’t see it. But while sanding the edge and preparing the vintage-antiqued quartersawn red oak floor for stain and refinishing our wood guy found it to be ratty and uneven. So instead of letting it go, he called it to our attention, and we in turn pointed it out to the homeowner.
Once we brought it to their attention, they gave us the green light to fix it.
The fix
Our refinisher extraordinaire reconstructed the edge by removing the boards affected. To be specific, the concrete poured to “seat” the brick hearth was not neatened and tidied up when it was first laid (however many eons ago-LOL!). Therefore after it dried it wasn’t smooth or flat. Moreover, when the wood was laid overtop of the edge, the boards peaked slightly.
After the affected boards were removed our refinisher put his dremel to work!
Zipping, zinging and making noise the dremel went to work. And while it did its work grinding away it created a billow of dust.
Marvin continued until he felt that pesky edge was flat enough to reinstall the boards so they would lay flat up against the brick hearth, then he would be ready to reinstall the boards so they laid flat and finally behaved!
Our clients were appreciative that another minute annoyance was fixed as part of their restoration and refinishing project.
Now mind you, this well could have been ignored. But ignoring things is not how we roll. When I was told about the blemish I called our client to inform them and see how they wanted to handle it.
And like I surmised, our lady client was thankful we cared enough to bring it to their attention. Staying out of the way they kept fort at their shore house in Stone Harbor. So not making assumptions we got their answer and fixed it for them.
Frankly we never “sweep things like that under the rug,” but we could well have. If I could comment, that is what makes the difference from just a hardwood floor refinisher to a full on wood craftsman restoration specialist!
When you are entrusted to such a project like this you take nothing for grant it! You pay every attention to detail. And in the end the floors will look better for it. And your client will feel better knowing you have their best interests at heart!
In closing...
While restoring their vintage oak floors the clients were glad we discovered and fixed the fireplace edge for them, when we could well have ignored it! But that is not what vintage hardwood floor restoration and preservation is all about!
Although not a close up where you can see it, the boards along the fireplace edge are now flat and looking as they should
If you have or are contemplating a vintage hardwood floor restoration we can help you. Our specialty, we will help you revitalize, restore and preserve your floor the way it deserves to be! Call us at 609.953.0472 or contact us online.
Every project comes with unanticipated and often surprising issues that need to be addressed
We were contracted to refinish a hardwood floor in a vintage mansion. Although we had done a preliminary evaluation of the project before commencing, once our refinisher got in deeper, an issue that was not seen previously came to light.
Plowing through and fixing all the items our clients showed us they wanted to be fixed, our refinisher, Marvin, discovered an uneven edge next to the brick fireplace hearth. Unless you inspected the wood up close you wouldn’t necessarily find it, which is why the owners didn’t see it. But while sanding the edge and preparing the vintage-antiqued quartersawn red oak floor for stain and refinishing our wood guy found it to be ratty and uneven. So instead of letting it go, he called it to our attention, and we in turn pointed it out to the homeowner.
Once we brought it to their attention, they gave us the green light to fix it.
The fix
Our refinisher extraordinaire reconstructed the edge by removing the boards affected. To be specific, the concrete poured to “seat” the brick hearth was not neatened and tidied up when it was first laid (however many eons ago-LOL!). Therefore after it dried it wasn’t smooth or flat. Moreover, when the wood was laid overtop of the edge, the boards peaked slightly.
After the affected boards were removed our refinisher put his dremel to work!
Zipping, zinging and making noise the dremel went to work. And while it did its work grinding away it created a billow of dust.
Marvin continued until he felt that pesky edge was flat enough to reinstall the boards so they would lay flat up against the brick hearth, then he would be ready to reinstall the boards so they laid flat and finally behaved!
Our clients were appreciative that another minute annoyance was fixed as part of their restoration and refinishing project.
Now mind you, this well could have been ignored. But ignoring things is not how we roll. When I was told about the blemish I called our client to inform them and see how they wanted to handle it.
And like I surmised, our lady client was thankful we cared enough to bring it to their attention. Staying out of the way they kept fort at their shore house in Stone Harbor. So not making assumptions we got their answer and fixed it for them.
Frankly we never “sweep things like that under the rug,” but we could well have. If I could comment, that is what makes the difference from just a hardwood floor refinisher to a full on wood craftsman restoration specialist!
When you are entrusted to such a project like this you take nothing for grant it! You pay every attention to detail. And in the end the floors will look better for it. And your client will feel better knowing you have their best interests at heart!
In closing...
While restoring their vintage oak floors the clients were glad we discovered and fixed the fireplace edge for them, when we could well have ignored it! But that is not what vintage hardwood floor restoration and preservation is all about!
Learn more…
If you have or are contemplating a vintage hardwood floor restoration we can help you. Our specialty, we will help you revitalize, restore and preserve your floor the way it deserves to be! Call us at 609.953.0472 or contact us online.