What Happens During Floor Sanding — The Process Explained
8 February 2026
If you have never had your floors sanded before, you probably have questions about what is involved. I will walk you through the process I follow on every job, so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: Assessment and Preparation
Before I start any work, I inspect the floor thoroughly. I check for loose boards, protruding nails, termite damage, and moisture issues. If boards need replacing, I handle that first through our board repair service.
Furniture needs to be removed from the rooms being sanded. I can work around fixed items if needed, but empty rooms produce the best result. You do not need to remove curtains or light fittings.
Step 2: Coarse Sanding
The first pass uses a coarse grit abrasive on a drum sander. This removes old finish, paint, stains, and surface damage. It also levels the floor by taking down high spots and cupped boards.
This is the dustiest stage. I use a sander with built-in dust extraction that captures about 95 percent of the dust. Some fine dust still escapes, so I seal off doorways to other rooms with plastic sheeting.
Step 3: Medium and Fine Sanding
I work through progressively finer grits. Each pass removes the scratch marks from the previous grit and produces a smoother surface. The edges and corners get done with an edger -- a smaller disc sander that reaches where the drum cannot.
Between the medium and fine sanding stages, I do the gap filling. This involves mixing sanding dust with a resin to create a filler that matches your timber colour. It gets pressed into gaps and cracks, then sanded smooth.
Step 4: Final Sanding and Buffing
The final sanding pass uses a fine grit to create a perfectly smooth surface. I then go over the entire floor with a buffer fitted with a fine screen. This removes any remaining marks and opens the timber grain to accept the finish.
At this point, I vacuum thoroughly and wipe the floor with a tack cloth. Any dust left on the surface will show up in the finish, so this step matters.
Step 5: Applying the Finish
I apply three coats of polyurethane as standard. For most jobs, I use Bona Traffic HD, which is a commercial-grade water-based finish. Between coats, I lightly abrade the surface to ensure proper adhesion.
Each coat needs drying time. In Lake Macquarie conditions, that is typically two to four hours between coats. Temperature and humidity affect drying, so I plan accordingly.
Step 6: Curing and Handover
After the final coat, you can walk on the floor in socks after about 24 hours. Full cure takes five to seven days for Traffic HD. During this time, avoid placing rugs, dragging furniture, or wearing shoes on the floor.
I will talk you through aftercare when I hand the job over. For ongoing maintenance advice, see our timber floor care tips.
How Long Does It Take?
A typical three-bedroom home with hallway takes three to four days. Larger homes or floors in poor condition may take longer. I will give you an accurate timeline during the quoting stage.
Check our gallery to see finished results, or contact me for a free quote. I service all of Charlestown, Belmont, and the wider Lake Macquarie area.