Full question:
In August 2010 you installed us an Element 7 floor, fired oak parquet.
It still looks very nice, but has become slightly dull and I am wondering whether you recommend re-oiling it or whether I should treat it myself with any special products.
Answer:
Element 7 has passed on your enquiry to Dane Care as my team originally did the sanding and oiling of the panel floors. I think you also have board floors, which are also commissioned by us.
Its good to hear the floors are still looking good. The dulling is a consequence of the gradual creep of tannins back to the wood surface where the react with moisture and lighten the wood. There are care products that have a percentage of oil, which can counter this. Often its easier just to reoil and set the floors up for the next 4 years.
.
.
Full question:
I’ve a query about the cost of having flooring re oiled. It has been down about 18month-2 years, Jacobean dark oak.Tunbridge postcode. Do you cover this area and cost of doing so, please.
Answer:
My chaps operate out of London and travel all over to do this type of work.
Can I ask for a sketch of your floor plan, an idea of the furniture shifting required and also information on the origins of the floor. I like to identify what finish is on the wood in advance. Once I have this information then I should be able to give a price.
.
.
My suggestion is a local company sand the floor, fill the gaps with a resin mix (which may or may not stay in place, it depends on how flexible the floor is) and then finishes it using the attached instructions.
This would give our light, scandinavian look.
Alternatively, this is the sort of work Dane Care can do for you. My men are quite happy to travel and be based close to your project and carry it through, which should give you confidence the result will be as good as it can be. You need to be ready for a high quote, however.
.
.
Full question:
I received your letter re the hardwax finished floors needing their re oiling. Can you please give me more information about this? Do you need all of the furniture out of the house? How long does it take?
Answer:
There are 2 ways of maintaining the floor.
1) if the build of hardwax is still intact and the problem is only micro scratching then we shall use a hardwax maintenance oil. It is bad practice to keep applying layers of full weight hardwax oil as it can result in a slippy floor and one where the grain and patina starts to get hidden. Maintenance Oil has a drying time of about 4 hours.
2) if the hardwax has been subject to high wear then we shall apply a new layer of hardwax having primed the floor. That has a drying time of about 10 hours.
So regardless of the choice, we will have to work over several days and move furniture from side to side. Hardwax needs that drying time and unlike impregnating oil doesn allow furniture to be put on it when its wet. It normally proves impossible to remove furniture from rooms and our way gets round the problem.
It would be a good idea to keep up the amount of oil protection on the floor, since if its allowed to wear through it will be a problem to restore the colour of the underlying surface. In its own way the overall floor will be maturing as it gets older so regular maintenance proves much more efficient than infrequent, but more radical fixing.
.
.
