Yes, in many cases, wetting the floor before staining—known as water popping—can improve results. This technique involves evenly applying water to the bare wood and allowing it to dry. The process raises the wood grain, making the surface slightly rougher but also more absorbent. This allows the stain to penetrate more deeply and evenly, resulting in richer, darker colour and a more consistent finish across the entire floor. It's especially useful when working with dense hardwoods or dark stain colours.