| If you are buying an older property you may | | | | locate the screws that attach the sub floor |
| be pleasantly surprised by what's hiding | | | | to the original floor and remove them (using |
| beneath the scraggly carpet or worn out | | | | a drill, so as not to rip the floor beneath). |
| linoleum. In the 60s and 70s when wall to | | | | |
| wall carpeting really took off many original | | | | Carpeted floors may be easier to unveil. |
| hardwood floors were covered up. The floors | | | | Carefully cut the carpet into sections that |
| of yesteryear often used high quality | | | | you can easily remove. In some cases you may |
| hardwoods from older growth trees, with | | | | encounter padding that's been attached with a |
| tighter grain structures. You may have a | | | | ton of nails, staples or adhesive. All of |
| treasure under that coral shag. | | | | these will make your job more difficult and |
| | | | may have damaged the original floors. Using |
| How will you know if you've got a hidden | | | | care when removing them will help minimize |
| hardwood floor? Well, you can play detective | | | | further damage, although to avoid more harm |
| by pulling out any vent covers in the room, | | | | you might consider leaving the nails. This |
| but failing that you'll have to pull the | | | | can add to a distressed or antique look. Use |
| carpet back. The only way to truly assess | | | | a pry bar and a hammer to remove the tack |
| what shape the floors are in however is to | | | | strip. |
| remove the carpet, linoleum or whatever | | | | |
| material has been installed. You should be | | | | When you've finished uncovering your floor |
| prepared for what's underneath - if you | | | | you'll have a better idea of how much work |
| choose to take on this project it will | | | | you have ahead of you. The floor may have |
| definitely take some time, and the uncovered | | | | staining and other damage, which might be |
| floor will probably require sanding and | | | | best dealt with by a professional. Depending |
| finishing at the very least. | | | | on the condition of the wood you may get away |
| | | | with a light sanding and some stain, but some |
| Though linoleum, tiling and other materials | | | | floors will require repairs, patching (take |
| can also hide wooden treasures beneath them, | | | | wood to match from hidden areas like |
| these may be more complicated to get to, as | | | | closets), compete refinishing or, if they're |
| you may have to remove adhesive or grout. | | | | too far gone, a complete paint job. Your |
| Linoleum floors were often installed over a | | | | other option is to install new flooring or |
| sub floor that went over the hardwood. This | | | | new carpets. Don't be too frustrated - no |
| extra step was added to prevent rippling in | | | | matter what you discover, this project is an |
| the linoleum, and means you will have to | | | | investment in your home (and will look so |
| first remove the lino. Next, use a magnet to | | | | much better that the ragged old carpet). |