Oil based poly takes a bit longer to fully cure and harden, and thus our recommendation is to wait a minimum of 5 days before putting any furniture on the floor. A week is most ideal! Do not allow pets (especially dogs) onto a floor newly treated with an oil based poly for
at least one week
after completion.
How long should dogs stay off refinished hardwood floors?
Dogs should stay off refinished hardwood floors for
at least 24 hours
. This will be the amount of time that an oil-based polyurethane coat needs to dry all the way.
How long before dogs can walk on polyurethane floors?
2 weeks
before dogs should walk on the floor (unless you get Doggie Socks which you can buy on Amazon). It takes a full 30 days for the floors to cure, so it’s ideal to wait 30 days before putting area rugs on the surface.
What to do with pets when refinishing floors?
Picking satin or matte will keep your floors looking their best for much longer. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed will go a long way toward protecting your floors.
Dogs should have their nails trimmed once every one or two months
. Use this simple rule of thumb – if they click when they walk, it’s time to get it done.
Can I stay in my house while floors are refinished?
The house is not inhabitable for a minimum of 2 days after the job is completed
, and better to stay out for at least 5 as the fumes/off-gassing is not advisable to breathe in, even if there are other rooms to sleep in.
How long does it take for refinished floors to cure?
Wait
48 to 72 hours
after the hardwood has been refinished/ finished before “PLACING” furniture back in its place. Keep a steady temperature and humidity within your home.
Can polyurethane fumes hurt dog?
Health problems from VOCs happen in both people and animals. Most concerning to home owners is that VOCs are known to cause cancer in animals. Not all floor coatings emit these toxic fumes.
Polyurethane and some other products that have been around for years unfortunately do
.
Can you sleep in house after polyurethane?
No, it is not recommended
, and you shouldn’t take chances. Polyurethane will be off-gassing heavily for the first 24 hours, even for the water-based type. It is worse if you use oil-based finishes: it’s highly toxic and can cause several health problems.
Is the smell of wood stain harmful to dogs?
The fumes from the solvents
can irritate their respiratory system
, and most often it begins with coughing or hacking. If your pet develops these symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian.
How soon can you walk on floor after polyurethane?
Length of time to dry for oil based polyurethane:
Hours 24-48
, you can walk on the floors with socks. Avoid shoes and bare feet. And, make sure your pets (who usually have bare feet) do not walk on the floors during this time. After 4 days, you can move furniture back on to the floors.
How long does it take for polyurethane to stop smelling?
The toxic smell of polyurethane takes about
five to seven days
to decrease. However, you’ll still notice a bit of the odor here and there for about three weeks in the case of water-based polyurethane and four weeks for oil-based poly.
When can you walk on hardwood floors after polyurethane?
Fresh polyurethane can be walked on
as soon as all signs of wet finish disappear
. You may be able to walk on the floor as soon as two hours after applying WBP and eight hours after applying WBP. You should wait two days before moving furniture onto a floor finished with WBP — four days for OBP.
Is polyurethane fumes toxic to animals?
Is Polyurethane Toxic to Pets?
Yes, polyurethanes are toxic to dogs and pets
, especially oil-based polyurethane. While the smell alone can cause irritation, prolonged exposure to the VOCs and isocyanates can lead to cancer.
Do small dogs scratch hardwood floors?
The good news is that
yes hardwood floors and pets do mix
, and they can mix very well. Whether it be large dogs, small dogs, or cats, the trick is to limit the amount of damage that could be done by staying proactive with these tips.
Do cats ruin hardwood floors?
While
cats usually can’t cause a lot of damage to hardwood, they can cause scratches and can tear carpets
.
How do you air out the floor after refinishing floors?
Ventilate the room by opening windows and doors (and keep them open as long as possible).
Turn on multiple fans to blow fumes outside
. Use air purifiers to clean up the air (but note that VOCs can’t be filtered out of the air). Use an encapsulating sealer designer to prevent VOCs from off-gassing.
Does sanding floors make a mess?
Sanding hardwood floors doesn’t have to be messy
. If you’ve decided to install sand-on-site hardwood floors in your home, or if you’re preparing to re-sand existing hardwood floors, you’re undoubtedly excited about how great your new floor is going to look.
Do floor refinishers move your furniture?
If you or a contractor refinish the floors,
there must be ample, direct paths of travel to move and remove equipment
. If your temporary storage for the furniture is in these paths of travel, you should remove the furniture from the house.
Should hardwood floors feel rough after refinishing?
If they buffed any of the coats (the sealer, or one of the finish coats),
you shouldn’t be feeling that roughness
.
Does polyurethane dry faster in the sun?
Heat may speed up the curing process
, but that would be a dangerous game to play. Polyurethane finishes are HIGHLY susceptible to UV damage. Putting it in the sun would be a BAD idea.
Is two coats of polyurethane enough on hardwood floors?
OIL BASED POLYURETHANE:
We recommend at least 2 coats of oil based polyurethane + a lacquer sealer coat as a minimum for hardwood flooring
. Extra coats = extra protection, but only one coat of oil based polyurethane may be applied per day, as it needs 24 hours to dry before applying another coat.
What happens if you breathe in polyurethane?
► Inhaling Urethane can
irritate the nose and throat
. ► Very high exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness and passing out. may affect the brain and bone marrow.
Is the smell of polyurethane toxic?
Among the different chemicals that are commonly used in new wood flooring, polyurethane is one that is both used regularly and
can produce an amalgam of toxic compounds into the air that can be extremely toxic when released in fumes into the indoor air
.
Is it harmful to breathe in polyurethane?
When left uncured, polyurethane can cause asthma and other breathing problems
. Those who spend time in rooms that have uncured polyurethane floor treatments may also experience health issues like throat and eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, headaches, coughing, and shortness of breath.
How do you get the smell out of hardwood floors after refinishing?
Place several bowls in the affected room and fill them with water. Put half an onion in each dish, with the cut side facing up. Onions are one of the best natural ways to absorb unwanted smells. If you are gone for a few days, replace the onions with fresh ones each day.
