There is a fact which needs to be highlighted before we even begin: Your carpet can't last forever. With that being said, sometimes the signs that it's time to replace your carpet are obvious, but sometimes you might not know if it's time to stop with the regular cleanings and invest in new carpet for your home or office. So what are some signs carpet needs to be replaced?
At Georgia Carpet, we don't just want to sell you a new rug or carpet. We want to help you take care of the one you have and to know when you can clean your carpet versus when you need to replace it. The overall purpose of this post is to help you identify if you need to replace your carpet or if there is anything you can do to extend its life cycle. Keep in mind that if your carpet just has a stain or another small issue, you may be able to fix the problem without having to replace the whole thing. Proper maintenance can dramatically extend the life of your carpet. Every carpet that sees regular use will need to be replaced sooner or later. Some of the signs can be really obvious, but there are others that may be more subtle! Not sure if it's time to replace your carpet? Not sure how long does carpet last? Read on for the six signs that it's time for your old carpet to go.
Proper maintenance can dramatically extend the life of your carpet.
1.) Your carpet has stains you can't remove.
Are you currently covering old stains with furniture and rugs as the cleaning of your carpets have failed to remove them? If your house is starting to look like a minefield, it is clearly time for a replacement carpet. While professional cleaners can handle a lot of different stains and problems, sometimes your carpet is just stained beyond the point of being salvageable. Older carpets are more susceptible to staining because they either don't have any stain resistance or it has worn away.
If you are not ready to replace the carpet itself, there are professional carpet cleaning companies that use steam extraction that goes into deeper places of the carpet, lifting and removing a variety of tough stains. Everyone loves cleaning the DIY method, but sometimes a tough stain is best left to the professionals.
Food, tea, wine and mustard are typically the toughest stains to remove. Stains caused by pet urine, feces, vomit, mold and mildew are usually easy to clean if done quickly. However if these biological substances are in delicate places they will eventually absorb into carpet padding, leading to mold and mildew which can cause health hazards. If your carpet has been stained for a long time, you may want to consider replacing it rather than paying for a professional cleaning that will likely not remove the stain.
Stains in carpet
2.) Your carpet has a lot of wear and tear.
Do you remember the days when your carpet was luxurious and soft? Are those days over now? Can you visibly see where your carpet is worn down over the years? Are you putting rugs all over it to cover rips and tears, or rearranging furniture to cover defects? Are your kids scared to lay on it?
Matted carpets, tears and significant wear on the main walkways are major signs your carpet is on its way out. Nylon carpeting is more resilient than polyester and responds well if you decide to clean it; even if it is matted down. Sometimes a steam cleaning can lift matted carpet, restoring some of the life and lushness, but in cases of extreme wear, it's best to replace the whole thing with a more durable carpet.
3.) Your carpet smells.
Do you own a pet? Or has your carpet not been cleaned in a while? Either scenario can cause a lingering smell on your carpet. If your carpet is smelly, we have good news -- most stinky carpets can be fixed with a good cleaning. It's best to call in the professionals for strong odors, as a steam cleaning is better at removing smells than a DIY method. If the smells don't stop after a professional cleaning, it means that the odor has penetrated deeply into the fibers, the pad or the actual sub-floor. It may even indicate mold and mildew growth.
If a professional cleaning doesn't work, it may be time to get to the root of the problem. Unfortunately, you can't inspect the pad or fix issues with the sub-floor without removing the old carpet. Fortunately, removing the carpet will allow you to do the work you need and completely eliminate odors before the actual smell penetrates the house or humidifies within it if you live in a hotter climate.
4.) Your carpet padding isn't up to par.
Padding is like the pillow under the case. The actual carpet itself is a layer of fabric and texture that goes over the carpet pad. Oftentimes people that think their carpet isn't very plush are actually feeling a thin or worn carpet pad. The carpet pad helps to support the carpet, working as a foundation and making it comfortable to walk and lay on. It is resilient to sound and keeps a room quiet and even improves insulation.
Carpet padding itself can also absorb many spills. This doesn't necessarily mean that the carpet protects the padding. Signs that you need padding replaced include unevenness, wrinkles and a crinkling sound when walked on. Thin carpet can be signs of cheap carpet, but it's more likely just a sign that your flooring has reached the end of its life. Fortunately, you can replace the carpet pad when you replace the carpet. Just be sure to choose a carpet pad that's thick enough to meet your needs.
Time to replace your old carpet.
5.) You have increased allergy symptoms.
If you're experiencing an increase in indoor allergy symptoms, your carpet may be to blame. Older carpet can catch and retain more allergens and particulate matter than newer, which may cause your allergies to act up. If you notice an increase in allergies, one source may be your older carpet. Before you have your old carpet replaced, try having it cleaned and treated with an anti-allergy product. This can dramatically reduce allergy symptoms and save money on a carpet replacement.
6.) Your carpet is old.
How old is your carpet? Is your house or home an older or rustic place? Are you still using shag carpets back from the 70s that came with your house? Have you cleaned it several times and have taken really good care of it? Wondering how often should carpet be replaced? Well, carpet manufacturers usually say a carpet lifespan is around 10 years. After that it will show signs of wear and look like matted carpet. As your carpet ages, it starts losing its texture. Last but not least, signs of old carpet include but are not limited to: color loss, fading, matting, ripples, wrinkles and lack of padding support.
If you're not sure if it's time to replace your carpet, use these six signs as a guideline to help you decide between paying for a professional cleaning or ordering new carpet. If you've decided that an upgrade is in your near future, visit georgiacarpet.com to view all of the latest carpet styles and to shop online. At Georgia Carpet, you can buy where the dealers buy.
