Floor sanding and polishing in Ballarat

Why Ballarat floors need a local approach

Ballarat is cold and damp by Victorian standards. Bureau of Meteorology averages for Ballarat Aerodrome show rain on around 167 days a year, July minimums around 3 °C and winter morning humidity near 90 per cent. Those conditions affect timber floors in three main ways:

• Drying times. Coatings dry and cure more slowly in a cold house than the label times suggest, so winter jobs need more planning.
• Moisture and movement. Boards swell in damp months and shrink when heaters run, so gaps change through the year. Damp subfloors can cause cupping.
• Outdoor timber. Decks and verandahs stay wet for long periods, so mould, slipperiness and rot are common problems.

What you can ask about

Floor sanding

A full sand takes the floor back to bare timber, removing worn coatings, scratches, grey traffic lanes and most marks. It's the answer for boards found under carpet, finishes worn through to bare wood and colour changes. The floor sanding guide explains which floors can be sanded, what happens on the day, how cold weather affects timing and what changes the price.

Floor polishing, stains and lime wash

"Polishing" a timber floor means applying a protective coating after sanding. You'll usually choose between water-based polyurethane, solvent-based polyurethane and oils, plus any stain, tint or lime wash. Each looks and wears differently, and each has its own drying time, which matters more in a Ballarat winter. Compare them on floor polishing and finishes.

Floorboard repairs

Older homes have usually had walls moved, fireplaces removed and boards patched. Repairs include replacing damaged boards, infilling old walls and hearths, fixing squeaks and dealing with gaps. In a damp climate, repairs often start with finding out why boards are cupped or soft. See floorboard repairs.

Floor recoating

If your floor is dull and lightly scratched but the coating is still intact, a recoat can freshen it up in a day or so of work for much less than a full sand, and without removing timber. It won't fix bare patches, deep marks or change the colour. Check whether it suits your floor on floor recoating.

Stair sanding

Stairs are mostly hand-sanded, priced per step and need a finish that isn't slippery. Many have been under carpet for decades. Find out what's under yours and what it costs on stair sanding.

Deck and verandah restoration

From a clean and re-oil to full sanding and board replacement, decks in Ballarat need coatings and timing suited to wet weather. Many period homes also have timber verandah floors. See deck sanding and restoration.

How an enquiry works

1. Fill in the form or call 0480 808 421. Tell us your suburb or town, the rooms or rough area and what's wrong with the floor. Photos help a lot.
2. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one independent local floor sander, once one is appointed. Your details aren't sold or sent to a list of businesses.
3. They contact you to arrange an inspection and a written quote. Any agreement for the work is between you and them.

Read more about the service on about us, and see published price ranges with sources on the prices page.

Before you get a quote

• Is it solid timber? Solid boards can usually be sanded several times. Engineered boards may take one sand or none, depending on the top layer. Laminate, vinyl and hybrid can't be sanded.
• Is there old paint? Paint applied before 1970 may contain lead. Tell the contractor.
• Is there old vinyl or lino? Some older sheet flooring and adhesives contain asbestos. Have it checked before it's disturbed.
• Is the floor damp or cupped? Fix the moisture problem before sanding.

Areas

We take enquiries from across the City of Ballarat, including Wendouree, Alfredton, Lake Wendouree, Sebastopol, Delacombe, Lucas, Mount Clear, Mount Helen, Buninyong, Redan, Golden Point and Ballarat East, plus Creswick, Daylesford and nearby towns. Coverage depends on the contractor, so include your suburb. See service areas.

Send your enquiry to get started.