How can I salvage this flooring (should I?!)

[Flora]

Hello, new user here looking for some advice. I am restoring an old cottage build in 1800s. Have removed ancient carpet in living room and hallway, discovered very old boards which so far I have just been cleaning as they were covered in dried plaster. Now looking for advice on what to do next once the clean is complete. There are different stains in different parts of the room, a couple of big gouges and splintering, but in general it seems to be in good condition and I'd like to keep it exposed with some rugs on top.

I don't mind the different colours and I really love all the old scratches and marks as it shows the history of the building. But I think it does need some level of sanding and refinish to ensure there aren't any splinters. Looking for advice about how to proceed, pls bear in mind I have NEVER done this before, and also that I am not looking to achieve an "as new" finish, I want to preserve rather than strip it back completely. The boards are pretty uneven and from what I have read a drum sander will potentially be too aggressive (and also tricky for a beginner, especially in narrow hallway).

[Nestor]

Morning, I would avoid the large drum and belt sanders for the advice already given, noise, dust and knackered sheets if not fixed correctly.

 

If you are prepared to spend a lot of time on your knees I would use good quality sheet sander and a detail sander for the corners and against the skirting.

Do a test with different grade sanding sheets / rolls and then proceed.

Good quality dust mask and extraction if possible.

Lovely view from the window.

Do this before others encourage you to rip it all out, fit UFH, ASHP and external wall insulation!!

Enjoy the Forum.

Edited 2 hours ago by Nestor

[Big Jimbo]

What @Nestor is saying above is frankly, going to take you a lifetime. Belt sanders can be bought cheaply, and the use of them can be mastered in 10 minutes.

Due to the age of the property, i expect that underneath the floorboards is ventilated. The biggest issue will be that a lot of your expensive heat is going to be going through all the small holes between your floorboard, and will be washed away under your house. It's a nice idea, but i think you might be dissapointed in the end. Not about the boards, but about the cold.

[Conor]

Thick carpet and underlay are your friends here. Job will be done and dusted this time next week and your house will be warmer for it.

[Bramco]

Belt sanders can leave dips - although it's years since I've done this.   You could use an eccentric sander - Festool are brilliant but expensive - you may be able to rent one.  But as @Big Jimbo says it will take quite a while - but you'd get a better finish.  You'd need a detail sander for the corners and edges obvs.

[Big Jimbo]

I'm with @Conor. These days you need to think about your comfort, and your bills. Best of luck, whatever you decide.

[Mr Punter]

I have had floors sanded and finished in the past.  They spend a while removing or knocking in any protruding nails.  Used a BFO drum sanded for the main areas and a smaller sander for the edges.  The gaps need a flexible filler, not PVA and sawdust.  I would get a pro in to do this on a price.