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Protect and preserve your new floor by following these instructions for its care. 

1. Do NOT put down any area rug on new floors until 3 to 4 weeks after finish has been applied. 

2. Place a throw rug in front of any door leading outside and in front of the kitchen sink. Anywhere heavy traffic or dirt tracking occurs. 

3. Attach glides or felt on the bottom of any chair or other piece of furniture that is moved frequently. This will prevent scratching and wear. Glides or felt are available at Home Depot. 

4. Dusting with good quality dust mop or vacuum is the most effective tool for cleaning dust and dirt off the floor. To keep the floor nice and clean, we recommend doing this twice a week. 

5. Spills and tracked in dirt can be cleaned by lightly wiping the floor with a damp household sponge mop. Use clean water for regular sponge mopping. You must wring the mop. DO NOT put an overly wet mop on the floor. Excess water could damage the floor. 

6. Using sponge mop, you may clean with a mild all-purpose cleaner once a week. Again, your must wring the mop. DO NOT put an overly wet mop on the floor. Use 1 / 4 cup of cleaner per gallon of water. The following cleaners are recommended: Spic & Span Liquid, Mr. Clean, Pine Sol, and Lysol Liquid  

7. Using a water-dampened sponge mop, you may also clean by spraying Windex on the mop. DO NOT spray Windex directly on the floor (except for heavily soiled areas). 

8. Large domestic animals can scratch all hardwood finishes; floors that are stained darker will show such scratches even more. Vincent's Hardwood Flooring cannot be responsible for protecting the finish from large domestic animals. 

9. DO NOT WAX!! Neither oil based polyurethane nor water based polyurethane finishes are compatible with wax. Also, wax can make the floor hard to clean and cause problems for future recoats. Again, do not wax. 

Thank you for your confidence in selecting Vincent’s Hardwood Flooring Inc. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Q1: I’ve heard that floor sanding is very dusty. What can I expect? 

A1: The machines we use are the finest in the market. The manufacturer, “Hummel”, bills them as “dustless”. While they give off very minimal dust, all sanding processes give off a little dust. 

Q2: Are some floors or procedures dustier than others? 

A2: Parquet floors, or staining generates more dust due to the extra buffing required. 

Q3: How do I protect my furniture and valuables from dust? 

A3: Move these items into another part of the house. If this is impractical, cover them with plastic. 

Q4: Is it advisable to seal off these rooms with plastic? 

A4: Yes. We do cover some doors with plastic when needed and practical. However if you have areas of special concern, please seal them before we begin the job. 

Q5: I am having other work done in my home. When should I schedule sanding? 

A5: We recommend sanding is done toward the beginning of your remodeling. It should definitely be done before painting or wall papering. Even with extreme care, the sanding machines sometimes leave marks on the walls or woodwork that require touch-ups. 

Q6: I have chosen a stain color to use on my floors. Will the color of my floor match exactly? 

A6: Wood is a living product; each floor is actually a unique entity. Therefore, it is possible that your individual floor may deviate from the sample. Please note that our samples are one coat of stain. A second coat is an additional charge. 

Q7: Do I need to do anything to prepare my floors? 

A7: Please clear the area and remove any staples or carpet tacks. 

Q8: I pulled up the carpet and noticed some dark stains. Will the sanding remove these stains? 

A8: This depends on the particular stain. If water marks or animal stains are very dark then sanding will probably NOT remove the marks. Those boards may need to be replaced. You can make that determination after we sand based on what it looks like. Please bring any repairs to the attention of the salesperson prior to your scheduled date if possible. We do not replace boards without the customer’s permission. 

Q9: My floors are nailed from the top. Is punching the nails down further included in the sanding price? 

A9: No. However if only a few need to be punched we usually will do the ones we see. Please be aware that on a top nail floor the nails can “bleed” into the wood and make a small stain. This  does not become obvious until the sealer is applied. If the nail coloring does show through the stain there is nothing we can do; they are part of your floor. 

Q10: What time can I expect you to be at my home? 

A10: It varies depending upon whether we need to finish the prior day’s job. We will call you that morning with an approximate time. 

Q11: I leave for work very early. Can you begin the work without anyone being home? A11: Certainly. Just tell us how we can enter the house. (Key with the neighbor, hidden key, etc.) Please make sure you communicate any important information well in advance with us. It never hurts to leave a note as well. 

Q12: The salesperson gave me an estimated schedule for my work to be done. Does this ever vary? 

A12: Yes. The time frame given is approximate. It is impossible to estimate precisely how long your particular job will take. Sometimes we will complete the work more quickly than anticipated; sometimes it will take a little longer. We will make every attempt to stay on schedule, but please keep this in mind. 

Q13: How long does it take for my finish to dry? 

A13: This depends on the type of finish that you select and on the weather conditions. Oil based polyurethane dries in 6 to 12 hours for walking on. Furniture should not be moved on for two days. Water base polyurethane dries in 1 to 3 hours for walking on and furniture can be put on immediately after that. These times are only general guidelines. Please check with the salesperson. Drying times are greatly affected by humidity and heat. Air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter will speed drying. It is your responsibility to be sure the floor is dry before using it. All finishes harden and cure with time. During the first 5 weeks take care to avoid scratching. 

Q14: How long does the urethane last? 

A14: All our finishes are top quality and very durable. They will last for many years. The exact length depends on the amount and flow of traffic. We recommend that you call us in 3 to 5 years for an inspection. If the floor has not been waxed, only a light buffing and re-coat is usually needed. 

Q15: Can I wax my floors?

 A15: No!! Polyurethane and wax are not compatible 

Q16: How should I maintain and clean my floors? 

A16: Just dust mop occasionally wiping with a damp cloth and then dry. You may use a sponge mop if it is wrung very dry. A mild detergent may also be added to the water. 

Q17: What is the best time to call you? 

A17: Generally you can call us any time. 

Please call us if you have any further questions. We are looking forward to doing business with you!