How long do you have to stay off hardwood floors after installation?

Author: Mrs. River Murazik DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, April 27, 2025

We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours before you walk on your floors– and 48 hours is even better.

How long should you stay off hardwood floors when finished?

At a minimum, you should wait at least 24 hrs before walking on the floors; for hours 24-48, it's best to wear socks only (no shoes, no bare feet). Ideally, you should wait a total of 4-7 days before moving any furniture or rugs back.

Can I stay in my house while floors are replaced?

No but you need to remove furniture in the room. If carpet the contractor should be flexible, same with hardwood, but tile and floating floors you basically need clear clean space.

How soon can you put furniture on new hardwood floors?

The short answer is that it depends on a few factors, but generally, you should wait at least 24 to 48 hours before returning furniture to the room. The reason why you need to wait is that the finish on your hardwood floors needs time to dry and cure properly.

How long before dogs can walk on refinished hardwood floors?

You should keep cats or dogs off your hardwood floors for about two days after they're refinished. You should also trim your pets' claws regularly to protect your wood flooring from scratches and gouges.

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How soon can you walk on hardwood floors after installation?

You want to give the new finish time to harden and cure. We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours before you walk on your floors– and 48 hours is even better. Start with socks only and keep pets off the floors for a few days.

Can dog pee ruin hardwood floors?

One of the first things you should know about dog pee is that it is very acidic and can damage your floor. No matter if you have sealed or unsealed wood floors, they can absorb the urine and adopt a faulty smell that will be more difficult to eliminate. So, you need to clean the pee as soon as possible.

How long before putting rugs on new hardwood floors?

When can I put rugs down? Until the curing time is complete, it is best to wait 3 weeks.

How long does it take for hardwood floors to cure?

The average cure time for urethane finishes is 7 to 28 days while the average cure time for water-based finishes is between 7 and 14 days. During this time, it is important to avoid placing area rugs on the floor to ensure that the finish is cured.

When should you not refinish hardwood floors?

When over 30% of your hardwood floor has received damage, it is more cost-effective to replace the flooring rather than trying to refinish the hardwood. Common severe floor damage comes in the form of warping, chipping, stains, or termite infestation.

When can you sleep in a house after refinishing floors?

Therefore, it is recommended that you stay out of your home for at least 72 hours after applying an oil-based polyurethane finish.

Are floors covered by homeowners insurance?

Home and condo insurance typically covers floors and carpet if the damage was caused by a covered peril.

How long to finish a house after floors are installed?

Weeks 9 - 11: Your house is starting to look more finished after installing flooring, trim, and paint. Weeks 12 - 13: Your house's exterior comes together at this time with bricks, siding, or stucco installation.

Can you live in a house while floors are being refinished?

Before it's time to sand the floors, many homeowners ask: “Can I stay in my house while my floors are refinished?” The answer is usually yes. If you'd like to read about the best ways to prepare for and manage the refinishing process, read on!

Do new hardwood floors need to settle?

Solid wood floors need time to acclimate to the new environment as they are more susceptible to changes in humidity. For this reason, you should wait a couple of days more after installation before walking on the surface.

How do I know if my hardwood is finished?

Choose a high-traffic area where the finish is likely to be most worn and pour a tablespoon or two of water onto the floor. If the water beads up so that you can wipe it up without a trace, your floor's finish is doing its job.

How long to stay off newly finished hardwood floors?

After floor refinishing, you should stay out of your house for at least 3-4 days if oil-based finishes are used, due to longer drying times and stronger fumes. For water-based finishes, it's advisable to wait at least 2 days.

Can you put furniture on newly installed hardwood floors?

When can I move furniture back into the rooms? As a rule of thumb, the more you wait, the better. 48 hours are generally enough to let the refinished floors dry and then move the furniture back in place. Very important: Never slide or scoot furniture across your hardwood floors!

How long do you have to wait to walk on new hardwood floors?

The floor may be walked on after 24 hours, but remains susceptible to scuffing or marring until completely cured. Furniture can be moved back in carefully after 3 days. Do not replace area rugs until the floor has fully cured – 7 days.

Is it OK to not have rugs on hardwood floors?

At the same time, bare floors can be a very good look if you're not up for investing in a rug just yet—the key is to add back the softness, warmth, and texture in other ways. The main thing you need, of course, is a floor you don't mind seeing all the time.

When should you not install hardwood floors?

Rooms with high humidity are generally not suitable for hardwood flooring. This is almost always solved by installing engineered flooring and/or using a finish and sealer.

How many coats of stain do you put on a hardwood floor?

How many coats will be applied? The standard for a hardwood floor is at least three coats. This consists of one seal coat (which may be the stain) and two coats of finish. Additional costs of finish may be applied depending on the need.

What kills the smell of dog urine on wood floors?

White vinegar works to neutralize the ammonia in urine, and it's also a deodorizer. The typical recommended mixture contains 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. You can use this mixture on many others surfaces throughout your home in addition to hardwood floors—even for messes your pet didn't make.

How to prevent paw prints on hardwood floors?

Another helpful tip is to place mats or rugs in high-traffic areas or areas where your pets spend a lot of time. This can help to protect the flooring from excessive wear and tear. Additionally, keeping your pet's nails trimmed can also help to prevent scratches on the floors.

What can I mop my hardwood floor with to stop my dog from peeing on it?

Vinegar. Just like citrus, dogs cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It seems that a dog's heightened sense of smell is not keen on acidic smells, vinegar being another very acidic substance. It is worth noting that dogs are more repelled by the smell of vinegar than they are by lemons and oranges.

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