Maple floor maintenance

[joannejojo]

Hi

I have tried to search for an answer to this but couldn't find one - apologies if I'm asking a much repeated question....

I have a solid maple floor laid 6 years ago. It is 20mm thick, 5" wide, timbers are part tongue & groove, ends matched and kiln dried (am quoting from the invoice!!). Total area is 49 metres squared. It is machine barrel sanded and had 3 coats of Granwax Granfinish at the time. The company who laid it and were going to maintain it no longer exist which leaves me in the position of trying to figure out what to do. They did come back and treat it a year or so after it was initially laid but nothing since then. They left me a sheet which said I should apply Super Aquaseal metallised polish but a quick search on Google gives me nothing on this. One small, unnoticeable part of the floor next to the patio doors has been water damaged when the doors leaked so that also needs something a bit nurturing on it. Realistically, I can't be hiring big industrial machines etc. and I can't find a local company to do it so it's down to me. I have read so much about what to do, and lots of it is conflicting and now my head is spinning!

Can anyone provide a realistic, manageable answer? I'm tempted to do nothing but think that another winter of snow covered shoes from the kids, rain, grit etc. might start to do some real damage....I've tried to read about wax, sealant, etc but am confused

Any advice would be gratefully received

 

[WoodYouLike]

Hi

It is machine barrel sanded and had 3 coats of Granwax Granfinish at the time. The company who laid it and were going to maintain it no longer exist which leaves me in the position of trying to figure out what to do.

If originally a Granwax product was used to finish the floor, your best bet is a Granwax maintenance product. You can also aks the company or retailer that stocks it for advice.

Hope this helps

 

[joannejojo]

Thanks for your reply. I looked all through the Granwax info before I posted my question but there is no clear guidance on my situation. I would imagine they would recommend one of their own products but this isn't what the floor people recommended to me and they were independent experts. I don't want to re seal the whole floor if this isn't necessary, especially bearing in mind the cost of Granwax products.

My advice to anyone getting a wooden floor - make sure YOU know how to maintain it because it is extremely difficult to find anyone who knows what to do when you have a query.

 

[WoodYouLike]

My advice to anyone getting a wooden floor - make sure YOU know how to maintain it because it is extremely difficult to find anyone who knows what to do when you have a query.

I agree completely with you on this one. That's why we always supply a proper maintenance leaflet with every floor we supply (and install).

I will try to get a better answer for you beginning next week when I'm able to contact one of the Granwax people to explain your problem. (We're oil people ourselves and don't use Granwax products, but we know the reps of the company)

 

[joannejojo]

I would really appreciate that. Obviously I don't want to start stripping the floor, or hiring great big buffers or polishers if all I need to do is apply something over the top. But some of the websites issue dire warnings about mis matches of different products, yellowing (my maple is still very pale), "tide marks" or "over-waxing" and no-one anywhere seems to mention the the stuff I was advised to use, i.e. Super Aquaseal metallised polish. I was intending to just (JUST!) get some of that, apply it and maybe seek advice on the water damaged bit but of course nothing is ever that simple!

Thanks again.

 

[WoodYouLike]

haven't forgotten about it, but waiting for one of the reps to get back to me with proper advice. Hang in there

 

[WoodYouLike]

Well, they are quick I must say
Granwax advices to use Tufsheen25 (replaced the product your 'old' company recommended due to change in regulation in VOC amounts).
I suggest you first try it out in a little area to see if it does the job you want it to do. The water damage might be a little bit harder to tackle: water can leave very deep marks in the wood. See if the Tufsheen works there also in reducing the mark. If not I'm afraid you have to (locally) sand it and re-apply a finish.

Hope this helps.

 

[joannejojo]

That's great thanks I shall start there!!! If I experience any major problems I may be back...lolol...

Thanks for your help.