How to Revitalize Worn Parquet Flooring

Old, damaged parquet floor tiles can be made to look almost as good as new by sanding and re-sealing them. First thing to do is assess which tiles are too damaged to repair and replace them with wooden tiles of the same shape and thickness and of a similar wood tone. The next step is to hire a large heavy duty floor sander and a smaller polisher for the final sanding. Investing in one of the many 'mouse' sanders is useful for sanding in corners and along the skirtings. The floor sander needs to be fitted with a belt of fairly rough sandpaper to remove the deep scratches and chips and ingrained dirt in the floor tiles. Working in a systematic diagonal pattern to the wood grain is a good way to avoid sanding aga inst the grain of the wooden tiles. Work steadily and avoid uneven sanding by pushing too hard or spending too much time in area. Sand the leftover corners and edges with the smaller sanders. Repeat the process with a lighter grade of paper and again with a fine grit to achieve a nice smooth finish.