It is interesting to see how trends in flooring come and go. Something that doesn’t change much is the timeless beauty of hardwood flooring. Sometimes, when homeowners don’t want to refinish or care for their hardwood flooring, they cover it up with carpeting. It can be a pleasant surprise when the house is sold and the new owners find that there is solid hardwood underneath the carpet. Mike’s Custom Flooring is here to talk about hardwood that has been covered by carpet and whether or not it is salvageable.

Ways Carpet Can Damage Hardwood

While it would be easy to think that carpet would protect hardwood flooring, it can actually have the opposite effect. When hardwood flooring is covered for long periods of time by carpet, the damage can be extensive. Here are some of the problems that can arise when carpet is placed on top of hardwood.
– Moisture: Over time, it is common for moisture to build up in carpet. That moisture is held closely to the hardwood and can cause damage. Moisture and wood don’t mix well. This can be a huge problem if the space is in the basement. Areas that have high humidity levels are also more likely to experience damage due to moisture.
– Staining: Underneath carpet is always a carpet pad. Carpet pads can cause quite a lot of damage to hardwood flooring because when spills happen, it leaves a huge stain in the wood. If the pad is old or low-quality, it can leave a chemical residue that can leave an unsightly stain as well.
– Tack Strip Damage: When carpet is installed, it is usually held town using a tack strip. While tack strips do a wonderful job of holding down the carpet, they can cause quite a lot of damage to the hardwood in the process. It can leave a long line of nail holes in the wood when these tack strips are removed.

Refinishing Hardwood That Has Been Covered by Carpet

Even if you have hardwood in your home that has been covered by carpet and sustained damage, it can be revitalized. Sometimes, there might be planks that need to be replaced if the damage is too extensive, but you will more than likely be able to give those floors new life with some refinishing services. Hopefully, the hardwood hasn’t been covered for too long. Even when it has been covered by decades, with the right professionals working with you, there are few hardwood floors that are beyond saving.

Hardwood Floor Installation, Repairs, Refinishing & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA

If you have hardwood floors that you have discovered underneath carpet, you can turn to Mike’s Custom Flooring to give them new life. We will restore your hardwood floors to their original beauty through our restoration process. We will clean them, sand them, repair them, and finish them exactly as you wish. You can turn to use for results that are long lasting and beautiful. Call us today!