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