Finding hardwood floors under your old carpet can be a welcome discovery, but restoring the gleam to those planks can be a labor-intensive project. Even if the wood was in good condition when the carpet was installed, the boards will probably need to be completely refinished after they’re uncovered. Below are a few tips for tearing out the old carpet and getting those beautiful hardwood floors you’ve always dreamed of.

How to Refinish Hidden Hardwood Floors

1. Clear the Room

Removing all of the furniture before you get started saves you the hassle of shifting items around and protects them from dust. Once all the furniture is out, you’ll need to remove the toeboards, the thin wooden strips that run along the bottoms of the baseboards.

2. Use the Right Safety Gear

Old carpets trap dust and other debris, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Before getting to work, put on a dust mask and get some gloves to protect your hands from sharp tacks and staples.

3. Pull Up & Cut the Old Carpet

Large rolls of carpet are extremely unwieldy, difficult to move, and even harder to dispose of. To make the project more manageable, pull up the carpet a little at a time, starting in the corner. Roll the carpet back about three feet, then use a utility knife to cut it into thinner, easily portable strips.

4. Remove Staples & Tack Strips

Carpet foam is attached to the floor with staples, which can usually be removed easily with a pair of needle-nose pliers. You’ll need a small crowbar or claw hammer to pull up the tack strips, but be careful not to damage the hardwood in the process.

5. Refinish the Wood

Sanding and staining hardwood floors can remove tough stains, damage from carpet tacks, and old, worn-out finishes. While removing a carpet yourself can be done in an afternoon, refinishing hardwood floors can be a long, difficult project, so call in a professional.

For over 50 years, the experts at Carl Bohlmeyer Floor Sanding have been restoring the shine to floors throughout the Lincoln, NE, area. Using only the best technology and most advanced techniques in the industry, their team will deliver results that will amaze you. Visit their website to see some samples of their work, follow their Facebook for more tips and advice, or call (402) 423-7225 to request a quote today.