What Happens to the Hardwood Floors If I Steam-Clean the Carpets?

[Anna Watkins]

I'm buying a house in Columbus, GA to use as a student rental, but the first student in it will be my college-age son.  We don't want to put a ton of money in right away on cosmetic stuff, so rather than pull up the serviceable but dirty carpet for replacement, or refinishing the hardwoods, we're hoping to just give the carpets a good machine cleaning.  The Fine Young Man has experience with the rental machines (he's helped a friend with his rentals), so it's an opportunity for him to jump in right away and get some 'skin in the game' with this new house.

The question is -- what happens to the original hardwood floors under the carpet?  Will they be damaged by the water and/or the heat involved?  The plan is to do a full refinish at some point, so if whatever we do won't do serious damage (beyond having to refinish the floors) then we're good.

If you've done this, please share how it went. Thanks.