A Step Up For The Stairs
- Home Case Studies A Step Up For The Stairs
There is nothing acceptable with this hardwood floor sanding, staining or refinishing job
Although unsuspecting, see the pattern going from top to bottom, this is sanding & staining against the grain- a horrible job
This lst cut of resanding does not remove the edger digs and reveals the improper sanding marks against the grain
Partially sanding the landing reveals the wavy edger digs on the landing
The landing is fixed and the horrible sanding and staining is gone
Competely resanded and refinished all signs of the horrible sanding and refinishing job are gone 
No matter the view, this landing and fllor looks light years better than when it was previously finished
Not only do you see the edger waves on theses floating mahogany stairs, you can feel them 
We got all the wave marks and horrible stain removed, and the stairs are fixed and beautiful now
All remnants of the previous hardwood floor refinishing are gone, these stairs are gorgeous
While the treads are done, the stringers will be refinshed sometime in the future
This staining job on these mahogany floating stairs needs fixing and fast
Careful resanding removes all remants of horrible sanding and staining of these stairs
First sanidng removes some of edger digs (waves) but not sure they will all come out
With the floating treads fixed and refinished next we need to sand and refinish the stringers- TBD
Here is what the stairs should have lloked like when they were previously refinished
Stairs suffered scary attempt at refinishing.
As part of a totally botched hardwood floor refinishing by a roofing contractor, the client couldn’t stomach settling for what she was given. Frantically she went on the internet and saw our case study fixing a botched hardwood floor job. Not hesitating she called us.
Cleary this was a fight or flight stab at getting this fixed, my very conversation lowered the temperature and her blood pressure. It was what she needed to hear. Nothing alarmed our radar thinking we couldn’t fix this for her. We validated this during our inspection, and we were hired to start as soon as we can.
As part of a larger project including the top floor living level, and the mid level bedroom wing we had a lot of sanding and refinishing to correct. Click here if you want to see the other botched floors we had to fix!
So without skipping a step we started!
Day one we sanded off the sorry attempt at sanding. 
Applying even pressure (which is hard to do with a beast of a machine, akin to torque thrown from a jack hammer), the stair waves were wiped out. Likewise the edger digs were equalized with the same even constant pressure of the sander.
And along with the sanding damage from the edger, we also HAD to get rid of the putrid S__t brown color that was slopped and rolled all over the floors. Frankly the color of all the floors made Christine cry. I don’t blame her, I’d cry too if that were the finished product I got and paid for! If you want to see more on the color challenge click here and see how we “crushed it”.
We thought we lucked out, getting a new railing would have helped guarantee we’d get the edger digs out.
Christine decided she wanted to change the inside railings to match the new one they had installed outside. If they got it the spindles and posts would be out of the way to get rid of the edger digs. Although good timing they changed their minds.
They tabled that idea for now out of safety concerns for their little ones. So fingers are crossed at this point!
Christine’s hubby had a good point. They have a toddler and an infant, and the existing railing system is sturdy and sound. Not only that it would be easier to retrofit baby gates to it. If they upgraded to the spindle less version it might be more difficult to get gates firmly installed. Seeing her hubby’s point she agreed and they tabled that upgrade for a later date (when the kids got older). So we crossed our fingers we’d be able to (and did) get them out.
Devil hates a coward, Marvin leveled those edger digs, also called banana marks, lickety-split!
With firm pressure and up close to the spindles and newel posts Marvin leveled the edger digs, also known as banana marks. We were thrilled to be able to reverse all the damages to the stairs and railing system done by the prior refinishers.
Now to match the stain color of the mahogany floating stair treads to the red oak flooring.
With the sanding done it was now time to color match. Luckily that went pretty easily and well. However, as mahogany changes color with light exposure, we had to impress upon them that the color of the treads will change. And, that cannot be helped!
The stain and finish go on, and the stair project is on the home stretch (almost)!
The stain went on, then the finish coats. And soon after the top floor including the balcony overlook was finished. Our clients couldn’t be happier. With a woodsy vibe inside and out it was a perfect setting for this midcentury modern ranch/split level. And once decorated we couldn’t agree more. 
Now there is no sign of the trauma these stairs and floors sufferedThe clients decor in the nearby den was earthy and very inviting. From the gorgeous Hawaiian waterfall picture as the focal point, to the mounted gizzelle, the plants, stone fireplace and hearth, it was soothing and peaceful.
All in all the floating stairwell, up and down with the stone fireplace wall as a backdrop, this was a step up for the stairs for sure. But, there is one exception!
There is more to do!
Turns out the floating stairs are set on mahogany stringers, and the stringers also need to be sanded and refinished. With a current bribe offered to Marvin, he has agreed to tackle the very difficult job of sanding and refinishing the stringers. Both sets, at different heights, some on a ladder, and he will have to probably even lay on his belly to get to the lower ones.
Good thing he is short! Between all the hand scraping and the contortionist bending around to get to all the surfaces, this will be a cussin’ and cursing project when we get him back to do it. So, stay tuned!
Have your own botched hardwood floor fiasco, give us a call. Free damage control consultations and relief is a call away! Call us at 609.953.0472 or CONTACT US on line.
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