Whether you wake up to a quiet, serene home, or it’s like herding cats before school, you still kick your feet out of bed onto your carpet. As you shuffle out the door and down the hallway, the comfort and warmth of dry, clean carpet beneath your feet is expected. When you take a step and find a wet spot in your carpet, you pause, confused at what you just stepped in — that’s not what carpet is supposed to feel like.
As a homeowner (and probably a parent), you’re not focused on your carpet until there’s something wrong with it — or something happens to it like a spill or damage. The same goes for a lot around your home. A roof is rarely inspected until it already has a leak. The fridge is rarely replaced unless it stops functioning like a fridge. The same probably goes for your carpet.
In this article, Mountain Valley Floors wants to share the six signs that it’s time you replace your carpet, whether it be a section, room, or your entire home. It’s not easy to discover that your carpet is damaged, hosts mold, or is old. However, it’s important that when the time is right, you hire professional carpet installers in Loveland to take care of your needs.
When to Replace Your Carpet
You want to replace your carpet before it’s too late. That’s why knowing which signs to look for prior to any flooring issues from getting out from under you is important. Here are six signs to look for:
#1. Old Padding
Do you know what’s beneath your carpet? For most, it’s a layer of padding that can degrade and age just like the carpet above it. When you spill liquid or damage your carpet, it may also damage the padding. What’s more, when you “clean” your carpet, it may not always take care of the padding, too. Know that the quality of the padding and the amount of traffic are the two main factors that determine how long the material will actually last. Generally, padding can last between eight and 25 years.
#2. Allergies
Dirt, dust, mold, pollens, and more all get stuck in your carpet. While you may believe that a quick vacuum can clean up all these pesky allergens, it may not be enough. If you notice allergies starting to interrupt your day, you may need to replace your carpet.
#3. Aesthetics
How does your carpet look? Low-traffic, maintained carpet can last for decades. However, high-traffic, abused carpet, may only last for a few years. It’s important that you first purchase quality carpet, and then maintain it. The level of traffic and how often you get it clean both affect how well it “ages” for you. If your carpet is starting to “look” old, it’s definitely time to replace it.
#4. Age
How long should your carpet last? It depends on the amount of foot traffic, the quality of carpet, and how well you maintain it. If you’re nearing a decade of having the same carpet, it’s time to start looking for a replacement. The best carpets can last up to 25 years, but you want to start considering a replacement around the 10-year mark.
#5. Smell
When’s the last time you got on your hands and knees and took a whiff of your carpet? For most, they don’t “smell” their carpet because they are used to its scent. However, if your carpet takes on a pungent smell, you may be dealing with mold. What if your carpet simply smells awful? This is a sign that you may need to replace your carpet.
#6. Water Damage
Did your home flood recently? Water damage can be devastating to your home, not only your carpet. If water is left long enough, it will soak into your carpet and padding, which can lead to stinky carpet. More dangerous than wet carpet, mold can begin to form between your carpet and padding due to water damage. If your carpet has sustained any type of liquid damage, you will want to repair it.
As Northern Colorado’s Top Rated Local® full-service flooring company, Mountain Valley Floors is here to serve your carpet installation needs in Loveland. Give us a call today to schedule your free comprehensive consultation.