Here is another question asked by a member of the public relating to cement tiles. We hope that it and the answer, which we include below, are useful.

We have stripped paint from our staircase around 6 to 8 inches each side of  the treads and risers back to bare wood. The problem we have is where the  carpet was layed; the bare wood is much darker in colour. Despite long periods  of sanding we can't seem to get an even colour across the stairs so the staining  must run deep into the wood. Where paint has been removed the wood looks almost  new. The area in the middle has never been painted just carpeted.

We are not trying to achieve a new wood look overall rather a stripped pine  affect but the contrast between the previously painted and previously carpeted  is very bold even after extensive sanding and washing. The staircase is constructed from softwood we think pine and we wondered if  it were possible to perhaps bleach the colour lighter or chemically remove the  staining somehow.

Here is our answer:

I think you will have a problem obtaining a uniform colour. When staircases were carpeted with a runner down the middle the remaining timber was stained usually with a dark colour. Over a period of time this might have been repeated several times and will be impossible to remove. The only alternative is to try and achieve the same colour by staining the timber in the middle of the treads.

If you have a question, that you'd like us to answer, please email John Oxley: john@constructionchemicals.co.uk

Construction Chemaicals offer a free 'Ask John' service and he will be happy to answer any questions you have.