When Can You Put Rugs Back After Refinishing Floors?

Sealant Removal

• In addition to rugs sticking to the refinished flooring, the topmost layer of sealant will come off when you try to remove one or more rugs from the flooring. You, or a commercial refinisher, will have to resand the flooring and reapply sealant. Refinishing your hardwood flooring a second time extends the flooring’s overall drying time. You will also have to pay for supplies or pay the commercial refinisher again to complete the job.

Impressions

• Placing rugs on refinished hardwood flooring too soon leaves an impression of the rugs’ backing on the flooring when you remove or adjust the rugs' positions. The only way to remove the rug impressions is by resanding the flooring and reapplying sealant. You may also have to buy new rugs if the backing is removed.

Rug Fragments

• When you attempt to remove or adjust the rugs, you may not be able to completely remove the rugs from the flooring without leaving pieces of the rugs behind. Threads and backing may be left behind especially if you are pulling the rug aggressively from the hardwood flooring. Like impressions, you will have to resand and reapply sealant to the flooring.

Rug Storage

• Place the rugs in a different room or area until the three-week waiting period is over. Do not place the rugs in the room or area with the refinished flooring -- the rugs stick to the flooring even if the rugs are rolled up. Also, keep pets out of the room or area containing refinished flooring for at least two days after the sealant is dry.