A woman in Wilmington, North Carolina, had a pleasant surprise after tearing up old carpets in her newly purchased home. Alex Engberg, a new homeowner, documented the process on TikTok, showing the moment she uncovered original hardwood floors beneath the green carpet in her living room.
Surprise Discovery Under Old Carpet
In the video, Alex moved her camera around the room, revealing a large pile of old carpet in the middle of the living room, surrounded by the wooden hardwood floors that had been hidden. She wrote in the overlay text: 'Buying an older home and ripping up the carpets to find perfect original hardwood floors.' In the caption, she described the find as 'a dream come true.'
Alex wasn't the only one excited by the discovery. Viewers flocked to the comments, with one writing: 'How does it feel to live my dreammmmm.' Another commented: 'Yeah I’m sat for your renovation content this place is gonna look like a dream.' A fellow home renovator shared: 'Mine are so good too except PAINTED.'
How to Check for Hardwood Floors Under Carpet
For those wondering if they might have similar luck, there is a simple method to check without removing all the carpet. Carefully lift a corner of the carpet in an inconspicuous spot, such as inside a closet corner, or remove a heat register vent to peek at the layers. If solid wood at least three-quarters of an inch thick is visible, it is likely original hardwood flooring. Before committing, inspect the edge of the boards for a consistent, solid grain pattern running all the way through, rather than the layered look of plywood or MDF. Also check for signs of excessive moisture, black stains, or rotting.
