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Refinishing floors the old-fashioned way

By: Shannon Lee , Contributing Writer
In: Historic Preservation, Home Improvement Tips

When it comes to old houses, there are few things as gorgeous as an original wood floor. A full, rich history can show clearly in the lines, grooves, nicks, and scratches that have built up in the floor over time. Some homeowners see these marks of character as eyesores, and quickly reach for the large floor sander to eradicate them. But those who truly love their old houses and all the history behind them are likely going to balk at the idea of removing all that history beneath their feet.

The solution is the old-fashioned way of doing things: Scraping and cleaning the wood floors by hand. Though this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive endeavor, refinishing the floor this way can impart a sense of pride that no power sander could possibly match. Besides that, you get to know your home a little bit better with every new mark you find on your journey across the wood.

Preparing for hand-scraping wood floors

This is definitely a labor of love, so make the work easier with the right tools. A good, sturdy scraper with a sharp blade is best to make fast work of scraping the floors. Use one that comes equipped with a handle in order to apply more pressure to stubborn areas. Some scrapers have two handles, one on each side, that might make the work easier on your back. Most of these can be found in specialty shops, antique stores or antique auctions -- it is a good idea to invest in a few.

You will also need some sort of knee protection, as crawling across wood floors can be tough! Make sure you have plenty of extra blades, as well as gloves to protect your hands. When the work is done, you will need varnish or drying oil, a soft applicator to apply it, and wax to finish. You might also want a small orbital sander, but this is optional.

How to hand-scrape wood floors

Clean the wood with a thorough mopping, using a small hand mop in the corners if necessary. Once the wood has completely dried, it's time to begin. Start in one corner, scraping in line with the boards; never go against the grain. Keep in mind that very old wood floors might have extremely thin wood in some places, necessitating a light touch. Take your time, learning the landscape of the floor as you go. Try to cover the width of three or four boards as you move down the room.

As you scrape, you will see fluffy piles of old varnish and wood building up beneath your blade. The blade should scrape with each pass, not slide -- if it begins to slide more often, or if the scraping is very difficult, it's time to change the blade. You will know you are done when the scraper doesn't bring up any more varnish. Then start on the next row of boards. Gradually work your way across the entire room.

Once the scraping is done, you can opt to use a small orbital sander to remove stubborn spots that you just couldn't get by hand. Use it sparingly, keeping the thin areas of wood in mind.

Now clean the floors again, brushing them thoroughly to remove all debris and create a smooth surface for the finish. Apply the first coat of varnish or drying oils, wait at least 24 hours, then apply a second coat. Make sure the windows are wide open for ventilation! After another 24 hours have passed, you can then add wax, if you desire.

Refinishing wood floors in an old house is definitely a labor of love, but it's worth it to see the patina of age shining through when you're finished. In addition, learning hand-scraping techniques is an old-fashioned way to connect with those who loved that old house long before you did.

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