The beauty of hardwood floors

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — In the 1970s and ‘80s, covering hardwood floors with rugs and laminate flooring was the thing to do. Fortunately, there are professionals like Houlton resident Paul Prosser around who are able to help owners reclaim their hardwood floors.
    A longtime janitor and the current SAD 29 Maintenance Director, Prosser got his start in floor refinishing more than 20 years ago as a way to supplement his income.
    “I worked at the Littleton Elementary School and we had to re-do the gymnasium floor every year,” he said. “Somebody then asked me one day if I would be interested in refinishing their living room. I gave it a shot, and it just snowballed from there.”
Houlton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
HARD WORK— Paul Prosser is not afraid to get on his hands and knees when refinishing hardwood floors.
    Restoring a hardwood floor is one of the most dramatic changes a person can make in their home.
    Many choose to restore a hardwood floor because of allergies, Prosser said.
    “A lot of people are pulling up old rugs because they are finding they are allergic,” he said. “That’s not to say that there are not great carpet cleaners and shampoos out there that will work too. But a lot of people have a floor that has been covered for years and want to go back to it.”
    Others, he said, do not even realize what type of floor is underneath until they pull the rug.
    “A lot of the older homes have beautiful hardwood floors underneath and they don’t even know it,” he said. “The best time to do a project like this, if you are buying a home, is to do it before you move in.”
    Prosser said the bulk of his clientele comes from word of mouth referrals from satisfied customers. He averages about one floor a week.
    According to Prosser, most any hardwood floor can be refinished, although, some may need TLC, and a bit more elbow grease to bring back to life.
    “I’ve only had a couple of jobs in the 20-plus years that I have turned down because I thought they could not be refinished,” he said.
    While the equipment and products have evolved over the years, the basic premise is still the same. Refinishing floors involves scrapping away any glue residue left behind, followed by sanding off the top layer of finish to expose the bare wood.
    “I will recommend a product for customers, but they are always free to choose something else,” he said. “I have never had any issues with the products I use. I recommend using an oil-based polyurethane. I haven’t been proven that a water-based poly works as good.”
    Oil-based polyurethane products are proving more difficult to locate, as there seems to be a transition to water-based products, Prosser said.
    Water-based products are quick to dry, which can be both good and bad. It’s good in that more than one coat can be applied within a 24-hour period (drying time usually falls in the three to seven-hour category), but it can also be a negative when applying. Because it dries quickly, appliers must work quickly to maintain the wet edge during application.
    Oil-based polyurethane dries slower, which makes application easier, but it also means that one cannot walk on for about 24 hours. And since floor-refinishing projects often involves three coats of poly, it can disrupt normal household activities. However, because it dries slower, it is easier to apply. Oil-based products also come with stronger fumes, that some may find too difficult to breathe.
    “If you can open the window it does help,” he said. “I have some other tricks of the trade I have developed too. Refinishing floors can be done year-round.”
    Oil-based polyurethane will also turn a light amber as it ages, whereas water-based products will remain the same color. Both products are spill and stain resistant, with oil-based products getting a slight nod in the durability department.
    There are also various types of finish to choose from when selecting polyurethane. Just like there is with paint, polyurethane comes in satin, semi-gloss and high gloss.
    “You want to use something that is not going to show scratches because the last thing a homeowner wants to do is refinish their floors every few years,” Prosser said. “Most of my customers choose satin, but if you have a darker room, that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, semi-gloss looks great.”
    With his projects, Prosser tells his customers to expect a seven-to 10-day disruption. However, that doesn’t mean the floor can’t be walked on. If a coat of polyurethane is applied in the early evening, it can be safe to walk, in either socks or bare feet, the next morning. He recommends keeping foot traffic with shoes to a minimum.
    Once his job is finished, Prosser recommends taking care of the floor, using the proper cleaning tools.
    “Take care of your floors,” he said. “Don’t drag things across them. Once you scratch it, it’s there and you have to start over.”
    Prosser said he knows he has done a good job when he hears just one word from his customers.
    “The best thing I can hear is ‘Wow’,” he said. “That’s when I know I have done my job. To see the final product is very satisfying.”
    Spring is his busiest time of year. Prosser gives free estimates on his reclamation projects. He can be reached at 532-0578.