Renovation Couple's 'Lottery Win' Discovery Under Old Carpet
Matt and Em, a couple diligently renovating their new Welsh property, recently experienced what social media followers have dubbed "winning the lottery" after making an unexpected discovery beneath their old carpet. The pair, who document their renovation journey under the handle renovate_twenty_seven on TikTok and Instagram, shared footage of the remarkable find that has captivated thousands of viewers.
The Remarkable Discovery
While working hard to transform their property into a comfortable dwelling, the couple decided to remove some dated carpeting. To their astonishment, they uncovered original parquet flooring lying underneath. Em posted the footage with the caption: "Guess what we found underneath the carpets? Not the underlay. The original parquet floor."
The discovery sparked immediate excitement among their followers, with one commenting: "How does it feel to be God's favourite?" Another remarked: "This is like winning the house lotto," while a third simply called it "actual treasure." One viewer shared their own similar experience: "I bought a house built in 1881. Lifted up the carpet and found parquet flooring in two rooms. Still had its original beeswax on it."
The Tough Decision
Despite the initial excitement, the couple faced a difficult decision regarding the parquet flooring. In a subsequent Instagram video, they delivered disappointing news to their followers: after careful deliberation, they had decided against keeping it.
They explained their reasoning in detail: "We know this one's going to divide opinions but, after a lot of thought, we've decided to take up the parquet flooring. It looked gorgeous when we uncovered it but, in reality, it was pretty rotten around the edges, it didn't run through the whole ground floor (just the dining and living rooms), we've opened up the kitchen/diner so the layout's totally changed and we've always planned underfloor heating instead of radiators."
The couple concluded: "Restoring it would've cost a fortune and still might not have given us the finish we wanted, so it just wasn't practical. We LOVED finding it, but sometimes the dream feature doesn't quite fit the dream plan."
Understanding Parquet Restoration
Many homeowners may not realise that parquet flooring is often restorable. Extensively worn, marked or lacklustre parquet can frequently be improved through careful processes of repairing, sanding and refinishing. Taking methodical measures to execute this correctly can help maintain the flooring's authentic charm.
Damaged or unstable blocks can sometimes be substituted by obtaining salvaged timber or extracting pieces from concealed sections, such as wardrobes. However, prior to commencing any restoration, the flooring must always be thoroughly examined for deterioration. Issues like warping or cupping may necessitate more thorough or occasionally unachievable repairs.
While certain individuals might manage to fix smaller sections independently, intricate designs or severely compromised floors typically demand professional skill to guarantee the finest result. Furthermore, homeowners should always arrange testing beforehand in case the flooring harbours asbestos. Whilst undisturbed, the threat remains minimal, yet renovation activities can result in hazardous fibres becoming airborne.
Community Response and Similar Stories
The couple's decision received mixed but largely supportive responses from their followers. One individual commented: "Oh dear, looked like it was in a very bad way and sounds like you've made the right decision! Your plans sound exciting!" Another observed: "Whatever you end up doing will look great! I'm currently having the same debate myself, as I want the same flooring throughout the whole downstairs! It's a tough one!"
This isn't the first instance of homeowners discovering something intriguing in their newly acquired properties. Another pair were recently left astonished when they found something unlikely in their 100-year-old dwelling, highlighting how renovation projects often reveal unexpected historical features that require careful consideration.
