Despite being one of the most durable flooring materials, hardwood floors are not invincible to normal wear and tear. While your customers can expect to receive a lifetime of use out of their hardwood flooring system, refinishing will need to be completed at regular intervals to keep theflooring in pristine condition.

Refinishing is the process of sanding down a thin top layer of the hardwood to remove dents, scratches, stains, and abrasions. This allows a contractor to renew the surface of the floor and apply a fresh protecting coating. Using a dustless sanding system is crucial for achieving superior refinishing results, as they offer many benefits for both the installer and the customer.

What is a Dustless Sander?

Dustless sanders function much like standard floor sanders, but with one main difference – they utilize a robust vacuum system to suck up dust particles as soon as they are produced by the sanding process. Although it’s impossible to be completely dust-free, dustless sanders can adequately remove 90% or more of the particles from the air and floor.

Benefits of Refinishing Floors with a Dustless Sanding System

Dust from sanding can seem like a minor inconvenience during the flooring refinishing process, and many veteran contractors have become used to it. In reality, this dust provides no functional value and can cause several problems. Investing in a versatile dustless sanding unit is an excellent way to improve the health of the installer, maximize the efficiency of the refinishing process, and make the final product much more professional.

Benefit #1: A Healthier and Safer Work Environment

The primary advantage that dustless sanding provides is the reduction of indoor air pollution. Without the embedded vacuum system, every particle that’s released into the air during sanding will pose a health risk to the contractors conducting the work and the homeowners. Finer wood particles can even remain in the air for hours after the job is completed.

According to OSHA, the inhalation of wood particles can result in many adverse health effects, such as:

• Immediate Eye, Nose, and Throat Irritation
• Pulmonary Function Impairment
• Respiratory Ailments including Asthma
• Cancer

Additionally, higher concentrations of wood dust can increase the combustibility of an indoor space and create a fire hazard. By mitigating these particles with a dustless sander, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of health-related issues and environmental dangers.

Benefit #2: A Cleaner Job Site

With traditional sanders, job site cleanup is an extensive, time-consuming process. Without a dustless system, your contractors will need to manually sweep and vacuum all of the leftover wood dust after refinishing is over. This significantly lengthens the time of the job and reduces your efficiency. Dustless sanders will proactively keep your job site clean and make it a breeze to complete. From the customer’s standpoint, a clean workspace also displays your team’s competency.

Benefit #3: Better Finish Quality

Sanding is just one part of the refinishing process. Once a new layer has been exposed and buffing is completed, a proper topcoat will need to be applied. This gives the floor a visually appealing shine and protection against wear.

Traces of dust can negatively impact the topcoat, as they’ll interfere with curing and leave many imperfections. Removing the dust with a vacuum sander will ensure that your customers are left with a flawless, error-free finish.

Find a Professional Dustless Sander for Your Refinishing Project

Purchasing a dustless sanding system is a surefire way to boost efficiency, safeguard your employees’ and customers’ health, and ensure a high-quality floor refinish. Finding the correct sander for your application is essential.

City Floor Supply is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving hardwood flooring contractors for over 30 years. We have an impressive inventory of industry-leading dustless floor sanders, as well as floor vacuum systems for maximum dust containment. Browse our extensive collection and order your sander today.