How to Know When it’s Time to Replace Your Carpet
Many of our customers make the choice to put carpeting somewhere in their homes, usually in the bedrooms. New carpeting is soft and plush, giving your bedrooms the extra bit of coziness needed to make them your perfect, relaxing oasis. “What most of our customers don’t know, however, is when it is time to replace your carpet,” says Marc Mosness, owner of Goshen Floor Mart. “Even if you are meticulous about keeping it clean, your carpet will eventually need to be replaced.”
So when should you make the investment in new carpet? Here are the signs to look for.
Wear & Tear
Particularly in high-traffic areas of your home, wear and tear on your carpet may be easy to spot. We consider wear and tear to be anything that happens to the carpet as a result of use. Overuse can lead to obvious unsightly rips and tears, or the more discrete matting and worn-out padding.
It’s normal for the padding under your carpet to become worn over time too. In hallways and other high-traffic areas, you might see this happen in an extreme sense, where you can see a visible depression down the middle from all of the foot traffic. On top of that, you might see that the carpet fibers are matted together, losing their volume and plushy appearance. If you see one or both of these things, it’s time to replace your carpet.
Increased Allergy Symptoms
If you’ve noticed that you or your family members’ allergy symptoms have increased and your carpet is more than five years old, you may want to think about replacing it.
“Even the best-cleaned carpets hold onto allergens,” Mosness says. “You may not notice this for years because the buildup is small, but it could eventually start to affect people with allergies to dust, pollen, and pet dander. If you notice symptoms start to increase from prior years, it might be time to replace your carpet altogether.”
Water Stains & Spills
Water can soak into your carpet and leave an unsightly stain, but, more importantly, soaking water can lead to unhealthy mold and mildew growth. If there is a large water spill or your carpet has been exposed to standing water, you will want to replace it immediately, as some molds can be deadly.
The good news? If you’re insured and you’ve had a pipe burst or water damage from a natural disaster, your homeowner’s insurance policy will likely cover the replacement.
Cosmetic Wear
As your carpet is used, it will begin to show what we call cosmetic wear — things that don’t necessarily impact the functionality of your flooring but can be an eyesore. Like anything else that has been dyed, your carpet’s coloring can fade over time due to sun exposure. Most homeowners don’t notice this right away, as it happens gradually, but, one day, you might be moving furniture and see the damage that the sun has actually caused.
Cosmetic wear also includes stains and lifting or unraveling along the edges. We’ve already talked about the danger that water stains can cause, but it’s more likely that you’ll encounter stains from the juice your toddler knocked over your puppy tracking in mud, or other accidents that happen regularly. Some stains can be professionally cleaned and lightened quite a bit, but if your carpet has been stained a number of times, it’s time for a replacement.
Smells
With spills and normal use by people and pets come unpleasant smells. Again, even carpet in the cleanest home will hold onto scent particles that could become overwhelming. If you’ve ever visited a home that just smells unpleasant when you walk inside, it’s likely that the carpets and fabrics are holding onto old smells from spills and dirt that are no longer visible. If your carpet begins to smell, it’s time to come in and pick out some new flooring.
As you can see, there are a number of indicators that your home might be ready for new flooring. If you have concerns about your own specific situation, come on in and we’d be happy to help you figure out if it’s the right time to replace your carpet and help you pick out something new that you are sure to love.
Trust the experts
The professionals at Goshen Floor Mart have more than 25 years of experience in carpet and they’re ready to share that knowledge with you. Call 574.642.4770 or contact us here CONTACT
If you're in the market for flooring feel free to contact Goshen Floor Mart. Remember, we are always happy to provide you with a free estimate. Call us today at 574.642.4770 or contact us here