Wood Floor Refinishing and Restoration

Putting Dust In It's Place
August 2002
By Michael Purser

Ask any homeowner about the most memorable part of having their wood floors refinished and you will hear a familiar four letter word that sends chills down everyone's spine - dust. The cost of the work, the noise, the disruption, the chaos of having furniture scattered hither and yon, even the stench of vapors and fumes from sealers and finishes - all are important but they are always overshadowed by the fear of clouds of fine, talc-like dust floating in the air. This byproduct has always been one of the most troubling for contractors and has prevented many homeowners from taking any action on floors that are in dire need of refinishing or recoating. For many years, contractors were caught between a rock and a hard place. As much as we wanted to offer better conditions, we were strapped with equipment that simply could not collect and contain dust effectively. But the times, well, they "were a-changing".

"Improved equipment and good training eliminate dust as a problem".

Today, if dust is a major issue, there are finally some decent and practical options available. A few manufacturers finally heard the pounding drums of contractors and homeowners and started offering machinery, modifications and equipment that dramatically reduced the amount of dust that went uncollected. The net result of all this is that it is now possible to have sanding and finishing done that is virtually dust free. Yes, I did use the word "virtually" because completely dust free will never happen. But rest assured, since I transitioned to this equipment, I haven't had a single complaint about dust. And even though it raised the cost of my work, the demand for my services has been very consistent. So, let me just summarize some of the benefits of this approach to refinishing and then tackle a few typical questions:

No more dust in the HVAC system.
No more plastic or sheets draped over doorways and openings.
A dramatic reduction in problems with allergies.
Don't worry about dust migrating to closed cabinets, chest of drawers, closets or electronics.
No more major clean up - everywhere!
No more dust on freshly painted walls, baseboards or wall coverings.
No more dust being tracked all over the house.
No more dust blowing onto wet finish.
No more layers of dust on fine furniture and antiques.

Does this affect the price of the work? Yes. First, there is a substantial investment in the equipment. Second, for the equipment to be effective you typically have to slow the work down. The faster you work, the more difficult it is to capture the dust in the machines and this is counterproductive to say the least. How much it affects the price depends on the individual contractor.

When would I not consider this as an option? If a house is sitting vacant prior to your moving in, cleaning up after refinishing work shouldn't be that big of an issue. In some remodeling and restoration projects there is less justification for maintaining lower levels of dust. There is already so much dust from other trades (sheet rock, carpenters, etc.) that it really doesn't make sense to pay the extra money. However, it should be pointed out that minimizing dust does give you more options with other finish work. You don't have to worry about damaging fresh decorative painting or expensive wall coverings from dust. Also, much to the disbelief of many, it is quite possible to have decorative painting going on in one room while the floors are being refinished in the next. And without the clumsy plastic dust barriers flapping in the wind. Ponder that little scenario for a minute or two!

Do all wood flooring contractors offer this option? No. As a matter of fact, those who do offer enhanced dust collection are in a very small minority. Good, reliable dust collection is the exception, not the norm. Since I specialize in working in occupied houses, it just made sense to offer this since there was such a high demand. But you will quickly learn that most wood flooring contractors don't offer this option because of the affect it has on their pricing. Also, make sure that you ask for references of recent jobs to double check that what the contractor is offering is what they are delivering.

I have heard of "dustless" systems that simply did not work. How can I be sure of what I am getting? Most of these problems came about when some overly excited manufacturers made claims about their equipment that was marginal at best. This occurred about 12-15 years ago and quite a few contractors took a pounding as a result. Always ask for references from recent projects and make sure you are allowed to contact these people. If a contractor does have good equipment and training, they won't hesitate to provide you with anything necessary to address your apprehensions. If they balk or give excuses, you are probably dealing with some one that cannot deliver the desired results.

Do you feel it is worth the extra money? This is a judgment call and all I can do is relate my experiences with other homeowners. Initially, most are doubtful at best. But as the work continues, you can see that the level of stress and anxiety really diminishes. Quite honestly, you have to experience it to believe it. I think I have been taken aback with just how many people have told me that regardless of how much they wanted the work done, the dust issue was just something they could not get around. And for them, it has made all the difference in the world. I think that in time, you will see more and more emphasis being put on this because not only is it cleaner, it gives you a safer work place. And in case you might have forgotten, wood dust is classified as a known carcinogen.

Are there any other benefits to these enhanced dust systems? You bet. In the past, when homeowners wanted a simple recoat, it usually came at a high price in terms of dust contamination. Before you could apply new finish to an old surface, you had to prep it with the buffer and an attachment. This could prove to be incredibly dusty since old coatings tend to be brittle and create a dust storm with little effort. The enhanced systems that attach to the buffers make this a thing of the past. And that is why there is absolutely no excuse for any dust if you have your floors recoated.

The ability to refinish wood floors with virtually no dust is something many people find hard to believe. Consequently, many don't see the immediate benefits of doing the work this way. However, the more you think about it, the more sense it makes. And just recalling yours, or anyone else's, memories of a past refinishing experience is time well spent. All in all, improved dust collection in wood floor finishing is something that evolved from consumer demand. Many are enjoying the efforts and improvements being offered by contractors willing to make the investment. And now that it is here, some of us in the trade are simply never going back to the old ways. The idea of a cleaner, safer workplace and going home after a hard days work not covered in dust is something in this business that you just don't turn your back on.

Archive articles :
The Recoat Option - A Good Investment March 2002
Cooking with Wood - May 2002