Guess I don't have to tell you that, unless you chose to run the flooring under the cabients, then the flooring should have been the last thing to go in.Sweeping compound is good - but I would not use the kind with oil in it on a new floor. Many types contain pumice abrasive for warehouse floors, so a bit aggressive for a new floor, in my opinion. Even the pure sawdust type without additives can have bits of metal from the sawmill machinery and grit from dirt brought in on the logs, so I wold stay away from that unless totally synthetic and says safe for finished interior floors.How I do it - moving around in soft-soled mocassins or sock feet (watching out for nails) vacuum first, being sure to keep ahead of where you are stepping with the vacuuming so you do not grind any into the floor, then gently wipe with dry old towel to get down to just dust film/smears. Then use swifter mop with the replaceable swifter sheets, dampened (not wet) with water. Or just use slightly damp old towel instead of swifter to wipe it up - may take a couple of passes to get all the film off.

ONLY IF fully finished floor AND has cured for a month or so, any final film can be removed with a rag dipped in half-strength white kitchen vinegar - not a fancy type, just white apple cider vinegar or equal, as it has no oils in it. best leather cleaner chicagoWipe an area, rewipe with a water dampened rag, then move to next area - do not let the vinegar sit on the surface as it may discolor the finish or lift wax. where to rent duct cleaning equipmentRemember we are talking slightly dampened, not wet.best vacuum cleaner for stairsTHIS assumes you are talking a finished floor - if unfinished bare wood, Oops ! miele vacuum cleaner best deal

Should not have been doing drywall work over unprotected bare wood, especially. You will have to stay totally dry, and to get the dust out of the cracks so you don't have funny looking cracks when finished, will need to dry vacuum/dust first as above, then use OIL FREE compressed air (compressor oil filtered out with an in-line oil filter, or oilless compresser) to blow all the dust and grit out of the joints - maybe using a single edge razor blade or dental pick to hook out any pieces that got fan on hp laptop stopped workingground down in there. upright vacuum cleaner ratings reviewsAn old- flat metal blade feeler gauge set from an auto supply store for about $10 can work well too - canget down to a few thousanths of an inch cracks and seams. Be sure when working joints/seams that you hook the material upwards, don't push it further down in.

I would take a CLOSE look at the floor when done, because if they were working over a new hardwood floor doing drywall work, I am afraid you are going to have bisible dents and scrapes - I just don't see how it could have been avoided, so that contractor (or the GC if you have one) may owe you a new floor. Answered 2 years ago Finishing hardwood floors can be confusing because there are so many products and styles to choose from. There aren’t too many holistic wood floor finishes yet, but there are non-toxic wood floor finish products that are better for the environment than others. Finishing wood floors needs care taken for the best results. Wax wood finishes were the approach used originally as a way of protecting wood, but now you can choose between wood floor stain finishes that penetrate and water and oil based wood floor finishes. You’ve decided to install hardwood flooring in your home which you know, will add warmth and elegance, as well as increase your home’s value.

The next decision you have to make is whether you are leaving the wood unfinished or to put a finishing and protecting seal on it. Unfinished hardwood flooring is an excellent choice when it comes to hardwood flooring and some of the benefits include: Some of the disadvantages of choosing unfinished hardwood flooring, versus prefinished, include: Health risk due to finishing dust and fumes Unfinished hardwood flooring, although time consuming to install and finish, is the most rewarding when it comes to hardwood flooring. There are two main reasons that finishes are applied to hardwood flooring are: to protect the wood from damage to accentuate the wood’s natural color and beauty. There are also two wood floor finishes that are most commonly used: penetrating sealer wood floor finishes surface wood floor finishes. Applied correctly, either of these finishes will give a satisfactory result. When finishing hardwood flooring, penetrating sealers are the most commonly used wood floor finishes for residential flooring.

As the name suggests, these sealers penetrate into the wood pores. Since sealers are thinned varnishes, they produce a low gloss or satin finish. One coat is of these wood floor finishes is enough but two and three coats will give even better protection. Sealers can be bought as slow drying or fast drying. Fast drying sealers are more difficult to use; brush marks and splotchy finishes can be a problem, consequently these finishes are recommended for expert use only. Slow drying sealers can be used by anyone and produce a high quality finish. Surface wood floor finishes are easy to apply and include polyurethane, urethane, aluminum oxide finishes, epoxy, wax, varnish, lacquer, and shellac. Polyurethane wood floor finishes are the most popular and have a high resistance to moisture, stains and spills, and wear and tear. Polyurethane wood floor finishes can be purchased as a high gloss or matte finish, and are either moisture cured or oil modified. Urethane finishes come in two styles;

Swedish finish (or acid cure) and water-based. Acid cure urethane is non-yellowing but has a strong odor, but should be applied by an experienced and skilled professional. Water-based urethane is also non-yellowing, dries quickly, and the mild odors go away quickly after the urethane dries in a few hours. Aluminum oxide finishes are the latest in wood floor finishes. They offer durability and are longer lasting than traditional finishes. The finish is durable enough that it carries a 20 years warranty, but so far is available on prefinished wood floors only. Epoxy sealant is a strong and durable flooring finish made of polymers. Hiring a skilled professional to apply this finish is advisable because it takes proper mixing and application for optimal success. Wax is probably the oldest, and possible easiest to apply, wood floor finish. Wax over a penetrating stain gives you a beautiful finish, but you wear the wood rather than the finish, so more effort is required to maintain this style of finish.

Shellac and lacquer wood floor finishes dry very quickly but are not as resistant to moisture or spills. Varnish tends to be a generic term for floor finishes, though at one time it was a product unto itself. It is now based on alkyd, epoxy, phenolic or polyurethane resins, and is available in both matte and glossy finishes. This flooring sealant family tends to scratch easily, showing wear especially in high traffic areas. Varnishes tend to be more difficult to maintain because it’s harder to re-coat sections without the difference between the old and new finishes being obvious. Shellac is an alcohol-soluble, clear to orange-colored resin derived from lac, a substance secreted by insects found mostly in India. Lacquer is a synthetic coating made by dissolving nitrocellulose, or other cellulose derivatives, with plasticizers in a mixture of solvents. Shellac and lacquer wood floor finishes dry quickly enough that more than one coat can be applied in the same day and used the next day.

The thinner used in these products not only makes them faster drying but also explosive. These finishes are not as resistant to moisture, spills, and daily wear as other finish types. Those drawbacks contribute to these finish types not being used much today. Now that you know what wood floor finishes are available the next step is actually finishing your hardwood flooring and there are a number of precautions that must be adhered to in order to obtain a perfect finish. Dirt and dust will cause a rough surface so when applying your first coat of wood floor finishes it is essential that your hardwood flooring be clean. Dirt and dust should also be removed from the cracks in your flooring before you begin. Adequate ventilation is a must to ensure that all fumes are dispersed from the room to avoid affecting the person applying it and potential explosions. Non-toxic wood floor finishes can be purchased. Airing the room also rids the room of moisture so it doesn’t have time to settle and raise the wood grain.

When is comes to wood floor finishes, penetrating sealers can be applied using a clean mop. Generous amounts of this sealer should be used, stroking with the grain. Excess sealer can be wiped away with a clean cloth. Once the first coat has been applied it needs to be buffed using No. 2 steel wool. A second coat can be applied but it is not necessary. This is one of the easiest wood floor finishes to apply. Polyurethane can also be applied with a brush, working with the wood grain. Once the first coat has been applied and had time to dry thoroughly, buffing with steel wool is required. Your hardwood flooring will then require dusting before the application of the final coat. Varnishes are applied using a soft brush with an even, smooth flow along the grain. It is possible to thin the first coat so it will penetrate the wood. Once applied, the first coat should be sanded using fine sandpaper. Dusting is required before applying the next coat. Wax wood floor finishes can also be applied.

Liquid buffing wax wood floor finishes and wax paste can be used, but you must ensure that the wax you choose has been designed for hardwood floors. The wax wood floor finishes should only be applied after the finish coat has thoroughly dried and should be polished using a machine buffer. Applying wax wood floor finishes will give your hardwood flooring a beautiful shine and a protective film that will prevent dirt from penetrating the finish. Finishing hardwood floors on site allows you to create your own unique finish and can allow for better uniformity. Finishing hardwood floor on site also makes it easier to match your hardwood flooring and finish with your existing hardwood flooring. You can choose the finish that suits you, and if you want to alter the appearance of your hardwood flooring, wood floor stain finishes can be applied before sealing the wood. Wood floor stain finishes can be purchased as water-based products. Finishing hardwood floors on site can take on average a week to complete, due to the sanding and finishing process so many people may have to vacate their homes during application.