HELP! Oak floor damaged by plaster dust... Any tips?

[Bob Gerritsen]

Hi all,

So I've installed this wooden floor, smoked brushed and oiled oak, laminated boards but the top 5 mm is solid oak. Then afterwards the electricians came in to drill quite a few holes in the plaster ceiling, without covering the floor or even using a vacuum. To really top it of they've used a WET broom to sweep the floor afterwards...

Now my client has already spent a whole morning on hands and knees and cleaned a lot of the mess up but it is quite obvious there is plenty damage done. The plaster dust in combination with the water from the broom has really penetrated the floor and there are whitish dull areas all over. Plus the broom, that was wet from being used outside and also had sand and what not in it, has left subtle but quite visible brush marks across the grain of the wood on the worst areas.

Regardless of who's fault this is and who get's to pay for it, it is clear I will be tha one fixing this. As for the options to restore this floor to it's initial mint condition, a couple thing have crossed my mind:

- As the floor is brushed, I don't see how sanding it would do any good unless I'm going to take of at least 1,5 mm or something like that. Than however it would not be brushed anymore but polished flat so that's really not ideal. Any partial or light sanding would (I think) only create weird looking areas. In general sanding is a no go as the brushed surface now, with peaks and valleys of different height/depths, simply doesn't allow that.  Right?
- I think the plaster, as it has been in contact with water and being sort of brushed in has both penetrated the wood further and then dried making it fit perfectly into the cracks and veins. I can't think of a way to get that stuff out of there.
- It also looks as though the plaster dust has partially sucked the oil out of the wood.
- The only thing I can think of to repair this floor is to oil it again, hoping the oil will cover up or maybe color the plaster in the wood and the same with the marks across the grain. I expect though this can only ever be a partial success simply because it will make the damage less obvious but it doesn't really deal with the problems. Right?

Any thought or experience out there??

Cheers, Bob.

 

[AlexThePalex]

- As the floor is brushed, I don't see how sanding it would do any good unless I'm going to take of at least 1,5 mm or something like that. Than however it would not be brushed anymore but polished flat so that's really not ideal. Any partial or light sanding would (I think) only create weird looking areas. In general sanding is a no go as the brushed surface now, with peaks and valleys of different height/depths, simply doesn't allow that.  Right?

Well, you have these nylon sanding brushes for a drill. They might be able to get into the cracks. You can get them in different sizes/hardness and cut away strings to thin them out if necessary. You can even get them really small, for a dremel.

Not saying this is the final answer, just a suggestion. I mostly use them on metal or stone, haven't used one on wood yet. Suggest you try it on a scrap piece of wood first.

 

[Alan m]

how about one of those brushs for the ras180

http://www.festool.ie/Products/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?pid=570748&name=RUSTOFIX-RAS-180-03-E-HR-GB-240V

its a neusence of a job. i dont see any other way around haveing to brush it out again. the electrition will have to pay to have it put rught.
i think you will be all week with one of those brushs in a drill

 

[Deansocial]

Chance to buy a ned tool http://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?pid=570748&name=RUSTOFIX-RAS-180-03-E-HR-GB-240V

 

[jmbfestool]

Take pictures so we can see the damage and size

Oh its called engineered flooring =  laminated and 5mm solid oak on top

Maybe you could use a stiff brush like and wet it again and a wet vacuum  to try and suck it up while trying to brush it out to try get the plaster back out?!?!

JMB

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Thanks guys, those are pretty good suggestions although (like said) a hell of a job. But I do like to be able to present all options when discussing this with all involved next Tuesday.

I will post pics in a bit when the kids are in bed, this is a bit difficult to capture in an image though.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Pics! Hope these give a good impression, it really is hard to capture this. The damage itself is subtle although quite obvious when you see the complete floor. The floor looked very nice, now it looks as though it has been used for years.

So you can see the scratches as left by the broom in the first two pics:

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The second two show what looks like light versus shade but actually the shaded parts were covered and the lighter parts are damaged by the plaster.

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These are small areas, the total damage covers about 30% of the total of 55m2.

I'm thinking brushing the plaster out is gonna be way too much work as the damage is so subtle.

Btw, I'm gonna replicate the damage on some scraps so I can test for solutions in the shop.

Any more thoughts?

Thanks people!

 

[jmbfestool]

Im thinking some clear osmo would clear that!  

dont brush it on thick  instead just dip a rag into the osmo and rub it in  do the entire floor or at least a complete board.

I have had a slight scuff mark on a similar looking floor didnt damage the wood just the coating used some osmo couldnt see it any more.

JMB

 

[Alan m]

try compressed air to try to remove the plaster dust. would buffing help .

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Im thinking some clear osmo would clear that!   

dont brush it on thick  instead just dip a rag into the osmo and rub it in  due the entire floor or at least a complete board.

I have had a slight scuff mark on a similar looking floor didnt damage the wood just the coating used some osmo couldnt see it any more.

JMB

Never used that myself, what is it exactly?

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

try compressed air to try to remove the plaster dust. would buffing help .

That's a great idea! If maybe not all, that should remove some more plaster for sure. Plus it is something I can quickly try.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Im thinking some clear osmo would clear that!   

dont brush it on thick  instead just dip a rag into the osmo and rub it in  due the entire floor or at least a complete board.

I have had a slight scuff mark on a similar looking floor didnt damage the wood just the coating used some osmo couldnt see it any more.

JMB

I've checked Osmo, the basically make oil and varnish finishes right? I also have a maintenance product that came with the floor, will try that first as it is sure to match the oil used in the floor.

Have to say I expect oiling it once more will help a great deal. I mean it will color the remaining plaster somewhat and restore the wood, I'm thinking and hoping the lighter areas are simply very dry now. The scratches will still be there but way less visible.

So are you happy with the Osmo products?

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Find out what is used on the original product. In the states your looking at OSMO, RUBIO MONOCOAT or PALLMAN Magic Oil. Theres one more that I cant put my finger on right now.(remembered its WOCA oil)
Anyway all these systems have a cleaning and re treatment/maintenance  guidelines. You can find them on the web.
You will clean the floors, lightly scuff them and re-apply the oil.
They will look good as new.(maybe better)
THe plus side of all of this is you will learn how to do this process for the future. Your floors will need this treatment every couple yrs. I have found most want it re-treated in less than that. Its one of the reasons we dont push these products. Too much maintenance for Americans(in general).

 

[jmbfestool]

Osmo is good yeah

I have used it a couple times on flooring when I noticed slight damage or a dull area on a board.

JMB

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful. I actually know Rubio Monocoat, have used it on furniture quite a bit and know where to get it. But I will test the product that came with the floor, if it does the trick I'll order more of that.

Thanks people, I feel confident I can fix this now.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[peter halle]

Here is a suggestion to try on a small area.  Get a sponge that is used for grouting ceramic.  Put some vinegar in a bucket.  Use that to wipe the floor in the direction of the grain after squeezing out the excess vinegar.  Follow up with wiping the area with a damp rag.  The vinegar being acidic will help dissolve the plaster and help you get it out of the pores.  You will possibly still have to refinish, but this might help in the clean out the gunk stage.

PS:  Remember that water affects different finishes in different ways.  I recently did a ceramic backsplash and while doing the final cleanup of the grout I wiped areas of the cabinets.  They instantly turned white.  I thought I had ruined them.  Two hours later the moisture had evaporated and the finish was back to its original color.

Good luck!

Peter

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

Thanks Peter, will surely try that, quite like the idea.

Hope to be reporting some good news soon.

Cheers!

 

[promhandicam]

Might be easier to just cover the remaining 70% of the floor with plaster dust to get a uniform finish  ;D

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

[laughing]

 

[Stone Message]

Im thinking some clear osmo would clear that!  

dont brush it on thick  instead just dip a rag into the osmo and rub it in  do the entire floor or at least a complete board.

I have had a slight scuff mark on a similar looking floor didnt damage the wood just the coating used some osmo couldnt see it any more.

JMB

I agree with JMB - make sure the floor is clean and dry first.

Peter