Hey everyone! I'm closing on a house that's about 100 years old, and the entire second floor is carpeted. I'm really curious if there's hardwood flooring beneath the carpet that I could refinish. During the inspection, I poked around the floor vents and checked some corners, but I couldn't figure out if what I saw was actual hardwood or just subfloor. Has anyone dealt with something similar or have tips on how to find out for sure before I start ripping up the carpet?
3 Answers
Considering it's a century-old home, there's a solid chance that there might not even be a subfloor. Refinishing could be a bit of a gamble since even if you lift up a part of the carpet, there could be stains that won’t sand out. My suggestion? Just dive in and start your adventure with the old house!
It’s a good idea to assume the worst and think you might not find hardwood. That way, any good surprises will be even more exciting! Plus, you’ll likely want to do something about that old carpet anyway.
In many century homes, sometimes the subfloor itself doubles as the main flooring, and they can look really cool! Don’t hesitate to explore beneath that carpet and embrace whatever unique look you find.
Absolutely! Planning for a redo is smart, so you're not disappointed if the floors aren't what you hoped for.