Getting your home ready before a floor sander arrives is one of the best things you can do to keep the job on track and protect your belongings. Floor sanding generates a surprising amount of fine dust and vibration, and the sander needs clear, unobstructed access to every part of the floor. A little preparation goes a long way.
Furniture and Large Items
The most obvious task is removing all furniture from the rooms being sanded. This includes:
- Sofas, armchairs, and ottomans
- Dining tables and chairs
- Beds, wardrobes, and dressers
- Bookshelves (empty them first — books are heavy)
- TV units and entertainment centres
- Rugs and mats (these must come up completely)
Even if a piece of furniture looks easy to work around, leaving it in place forces the sander to use smaller edge tools in those areas, which can result in an uneven finish. When in doubt, move it out.
Smaller Items and Décor
Don't overlook the smaller things that are easy to forget:
- Pot plants — soil and moisture can stain freshly sanded timber
- Picture frames and wall art leaning against walls
- Floor lamps and free-standing lights
- Children's toys and play equipment
- Pet beds, bowls, and accessories
- Doormats and runners in hallways
These items are also vulnerable to dust damage. Fine sanding dust is extremely fine — finer than regular sawdust — and it gets into everything.
Curtains, Blinds, and Soft Furnishings
If your curtains hang low and touch or near the floor, take them down or tie them up well above floor level. Dust will settle into fabric folds and can be difficult to clean out. The same applies to:
- Floor-length drapes
- Fabric blinds that pool at the bottom
- Cushions stored on window seats
Roller blinds and venetians can usually stay up, but wipe them down afterwards.
Electronics and Valuables
Sanding dust can get into electronics and cause damage. Move these out of the room entirely:
- Televisions and monitors
- Computers, laptops, and gaming consoles
- Hi-fi equipment and speakers
- Small appliances
If any electronics must stay in an adjacent room, cover them with plastic sheeting and seal the edges with tape.
What to Do About Fixed Items
Some things can't be moved — built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanities. Your floor sander will work around these using edge sanders and detail tools. Let your tradesperson know about any fixed obstacles when you book so they can plan accordingly.
Skirting boards are usually left in place. A good floor sander will sand right up to the edge using an edging machine. Some tradespeople prefer to remove skirting boards before sanding and refit them after — discuss this with your sander beforehand.
Protecting What Stays Behind
For rooms adjacent to the work area, consider:
- Sealing gaps under doors with towels or draught excluders
- Covering air vents and returns with plastic and tape
- Removing or covering smoke detectors temporarily (dust can trigger them — remember to refit them immediately after)
- Covering built-in shelving with plastic sheeting
Modern floor sanders use dust extraction systems that capture most airborne particles, but no system is 100% effective. Some dust will still migrate through a home.
Pets and Children
Keep pets and children well away from the work area during sanding. The noise levels are significant, and the dust — while not acutely toxic from untreated timber — is an irritant. If your floors were laid before the 1980s, there is a possibility that old finishes may contain lead-based paint or other hazardous materials. If you're unsure, ask your floor sander to assess before work begins. WorkSafe NZ has guidance on managing hazardous substances in older homes.
A Quick Pre-Sand Checklist
| Task | Done? |
|---|---|
| All furniture removed | ☐ |
| Rugs and mats removed | ☐ |
| Curtains tied up or removed | ☐ |
| Electronics moved or covered | ☐ |
| Pot plants removed | ☐ |
| Pets and children arranged elsewhere | ☐ |
| Adjacent room vents sealed | ☐ |
| Smoke detectors noted (refit after!) | ☐ |
When to Call a Professional
Floor sanding is skilled work. Hiring the wrong equipment or using it incorrectly can gouge, ripple, or permanently damage your timber floors — repairs can be costly. A qualified floor sander will also advise you on the right finish (oils, polyurethane, hardwax) for your specific timber species and lifestyle. You can find experienced local floor sanding professionals on tradedirectory.co.nz.
If your home was built before 1980, it's worth checking with BRANZ resources or a professional about the potential for hazardous materials in old coatings before any sanding begins.
