With a pair of needle nose pliers, begin in the corner, carefully prying back the carpet.
This will provide the first glimpse at the quality and condition of hardwood flooring beneath.
Once a piece of carpet becomes loosened from the tacking strips, the rest follows easily.
Carpet fibers trap dirt, dust, and pet dander and hold these allergens for many years.
The fibers will begin to release these allergens when the carpet is pulled up and cut.
Those with sensitive skin should also wear gloves during this process.
Remove any nails in the wood at this time using the same technique.
Avoid scratching the wood by placing a flat, wide scraper beneath the pry bar and pliers.
Hardwoods are protected by multiple layers of varnish or polyurethane to prevent permanent damage to the wood beneath.
A hardwood floor should only be sanded once during its lifetime.
Each subsequent sanding removes layers from the floor and strips the fibers.
Sanding should be used as a last resort, not a first.
To remove varnish, apply a layer of stripper to the floor.
Locate stripper in the paint section of any home improvement store.
Fill any holes or imperfections in thefloor using a woodfiller.
Do not over-sand any spots on the floor as these will soak up finish differently than the surrounding areas.
Be sure to use products from the same manufacturer for best results.
Allow the floor to cure for at least seven days before moving furniture onto it.
Clean the floor regularly with liquids specifically designed to protect hardwood floors.
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