Q: We bought our house 20 years ago and it had carpet on the floors. We took the carpet up over 5 yr.. ago and noticed that it had hardwood floors, and no noticeable damage. Since we had already bought the carpet to put down, we put the new carpet down. Now we want to take the carpet up and use the hardwood floors. We do not have the finances to refinish the floors at this time but want to have it done in the next year or so.
What should our next step be and what should we use to accomplish this?
A: I would likely remove the carpet, smooth edge, staples etc. Install 1/4 round and live with the floor until I could afford to have it re finished. I don”t think I would necessarily do or apply anything to the floors at this point, unless there is no finish of any kind on them now.
Follow-up Q: If there is no finish on them presently, what would you suggest to put on them until we can have the floors done professionally?
A: Apply an oil finish.
Related Questions
Restoring old carpet covered floorsMy husband and I would like to remove the carpet in our living room and dinning room. When I had it professionally cleaned they said the carpet was about 50 years old. When we lifted a corner up there is a mesh over red clay like stuff. Where the clay…
Carpet to hardwoodDo I have to remove the transition piece between my carpet and linoleum, when I install my 3/4 flooring? If I do, will I have to put different tack strips in for my carpet to stay tight? I have nice hickory flooring with nice transitions but don’t know how to…
Breathable mats for hardwood floorsQ: We recently installed Azek boards for our outside porch floor. They told me at Azek that if I want to put an outside mat down where we exit the house, it needs to be a breathable mat and not a rubber mat. Do you have a suggestion for me?…
Staining previously waxed floorsQ: I put 3/4 inch tongue and groove hardwood floors I had run myself in my cabin, about 15 years ago. Since then they've never been sanded or anything else, just waxed. Tonight I'm sanding them with an orbital sander and I'm not real concerned about getting them perfectly smooth.…
How to revive wood flooring that was covered by carpet?Q: I placed carpet over my parquet floors about 12 years ago. Now I would like to remove the carpet. What do I do to revive my parquet flooring? A: If the finish is worn off they will need to be fully sanded and finished. If the finish is in…
2nd Follow-up Q: What product would you suggest?
A: You could take a look at http://www.waterlox.com, or http://www.duraseal.com who also have penetrating finishes.