What's Under Your Carpet? A Guide for Newcastle Homeowners

If your Newcastle home was built before the 1990s, there's a good chance you have hardwood floors under that carpet. Homes across Merewether, Hamilton, Charlestown, and the older suburbs were built with timber as the standard flooring. Carpet went over the top in the 70s, 80s, and 90s when it was fashionable.

How to Check

Lift a corner of carpet in a wardrobe or along a wall. If you see timber boards underneath, you've got a floor worth investigating. Look for the species -- most Newcastle homes have Blackbutt, Tallowwood, or Cypress Pine. Spotted Gum and Brush Box are common in Lake Macquarie and the older parts of town.

What Condition Will It Be In?

Floors that have been under carpet for 20-30 years are often in surprisingly good condition. The carpet protected them from wear and UV. You'll see carpet staples and tack strips that need removing, and maybe some discolouration where the sun hit exposed edges, but the timber itself is usually solid.

Common issues: staple holes (hundreds of them), tack strip nail holes along the perimeter, the odd board with water damage near a bathroom or kitchen. Most of this sands out completely.

Is It Worth Sanding?

Almost always yes. A full sand and polish on a 3-bedroom home costs a fraction of new flooring and the result is a genuine hardwood floor that adds value to your property. The only time it's not worth it is if there's extensive water damage, termite damage, or the boards are too thin from previous sanding.

The Process

Russell rips up the old carpet, removes all staples and tack strips, assesses the timber, then sands and finishes the floor. The whole job typically takes 2-3 days. You'll be walking on a floor that's been hiding under carpet for decades -- and it'll look brand new.