Q: I just moved from Brooklyn to a tiny coastal town in Northern California. We just saw an amazing apartment which is colossal and full of incredible vintage details (it used to be a hotel in the late 1800s). However, the floor in the living room and dining room is cork and the previous tenants stained it pretty terribly.
There are some corners that look totally unharmed but a lot of the floor looks kind of awful. The surface seems to be fine (no real gouging that I could tell) and there is no buckling. But the stains honestly make the place look a little like an old crime scene.
Is there a way to refinish cork floors or should we talk to the landlord about just starting over flooring-wise in those rooms? Also, if it's possible to refinish the floors, we are willing to try to do it ourselves.
Sent by Amy
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I have no experience with cork flooring but hopefully you will be able to stain the existing flooring to a darker shade so that the existing stains blend in.
One advice though: if you decide to refinish the flooring (regardless whether hiring a pro or doing it yourself) make sure you do it before you move in.
Two years ago, I had my existing (fairly old - the house was built in the 1950's) somewhat damaged maple flooring and believe me, I would rather move house than going through this again. For over two weeks I camped, with my two dogs, in the basement (no shower, only a WC). I had to move everything from the main floor (the house is a raised bungalow) to the basement and I did it all myself except when moving the couches, beds, etc.
Fortunately, I was on vacation so I did not have to worry about making myself presentable for work etc., but it was a horrible job and once the flooring was refinished (not stained, only sanded and lacquered) it dried for a WEEK (and the weather could not have been better - September, so warm but not humid) and the stench was horrible. Even after a week the flooring was still a bit tacky in one spot (I stepped there with my bare foot).
Anyway, sorry for getting carried away, if you decide to refinish give yourself at least 2 weeks (if not longer) for it prior to moving in.
Staining it is a good option, or painting it. Then sealing it, of course.
Cork can be sanded and refinished/waxed just like hardwood. I suggest you contact a commercial janitorial house to see what products you should use. There may be a product that can be used to bleach or lighten the stain. OR, perhaps you could stain over the the bad spot. Good Luck
If they are stained they probably do not have a finish on them, many of the older installations typically are not sealed/finished with some sort of urethane or wax. Good news if they are not sealed or finished you can stain them with a water based stain and then seal them.
If you are not sure have a flooring dealer that has does maintenance or refinishing come and look at them.
I don't mean to be negative, but this is a rental, right? You don't own this place, so either take the rental and deal with the stains or keep looking. I just don't understand why you'd put a ton of money or even your own sweat into something you don't in the end own.
macbride: it may be just a rental but if the landlord is willing (as he will have to eventually fix them) why shouldn't they inquire about having the floors fixed? It's hard to find a place you really like or love, if all that's keeping it from being your dream home is stained floors its worth looking into options to fix them, plus if the landlord allows you to do it and compensates for it you know you have a good landlord and those are VERY hard to find.
as for putting your own sweat into a place you dont own.. I am a drywall finisher I do beautiful custom ceilings and I paint, my current apartment was beautiful but had pink walls, since I LIVE here I wanted the walls to reflect me and The 9 foot ceilings begged to be swirled. My landlord payed for the material and I enjoyed making my home my own (plus practice my trade freely) Nope I don't own it but for as Long as I live here I enjoy my beautiful home and the next tenants will too I hope. It's totally worth it to me, I dont feel the urge to move because I can not look at pink walls any longer. Plus my landlord rocks to allow me to have that kind of freedom (including buying a new and better chandelier light for the dining room) wouldn't trade him for any other landlord.
def talk to the landlord about it you'd be surprised, plus it's a good way to see how he will handle issues in the future (broken faucet etc) the floors will need fixing at some point, might as well do it before you move in, the happier you are the longer you'll stay any good landlord would know this and be willing to work with you.
I haven't seen the floor of course, but I think I would stain the cork more or less evenly. I'd find a stain color I liked and a sponge, and get to work.