A carpet is one of the most frequently used features in a room, so it stands to reason that after ample daily wear and tear, it will need replacing over time. How do you know when this day has dawned? Here are eight telltale signs that you’re in need of a new carpet.
1. Worn carpet padding
A carpet’s fibres are supported by underneath padding, which cushions the carpet, insulating and protecting it, while making it more comfortable to walk across. Carpet padding can take the brunt of any spills and stains that get absorbed into the material, and, over time, this padding can become worn and weary. How do you know when carpet padding is past its best? Look out for wrinkles in the padding, unevenness and a crinkling noise when you walk across the carpet. A carpet that feels flat and thin, and has lost its plush appeal, may also be suffering from a worn padding.
2. Matted carpet
Many of the problems that affect a carpet can be resolved by professional cleaning, but one issue that is even beyond the realm of the experts is a matted carpet. This occurs when the fibres in a carpet start to fray. Individual strands begin to loosen and fall out, causing the carpet to mat together. Therefore, if you notice that your carpet is starting to unravel in places or it has a lot of tears in it from matting, it might be time to consider getting it replaced.
3. Extensive mould
Mould is a common problem that can inflict carpets, usually caused by damp patches or a humid atmosphere. You may notice the smell first, followed by green or grey patches in your flooring. Mould usually starts underneath a carpet and progresses towards the surface, so if you lift a carpet up slightly, you can inspect whether mould may be present.
If you spot mould in a carpet, it’s important to take action straight away. A professional carpet cleaning company can use expert steam cleaning methods to shift troublesome areas. However, if mould is extensive, especially underneath the carpet, a new carpet might be in order.
4. Stains and burns can’t be removed
It can be devastating to drop or spill something on a carpet, and your first reaction might well be to panic. The good news is that most professional carpet cleaning businesses are experienced in removing many different types of stains from a carpet.
However, there are no guarantees that every single stain can be shifted, especially those that may have been there for a while or cover a widespread area.
As well as stains that can’t be removed, carpets may suffer from burn marks that can’t be lifted. When you’re faced with these dilemmas, you might have to concede that a new carpet is the only effective solution.
5. Faded carpet
Carpets can slowly lose their colour over time, whether from ingrained dirt, or exposure to moisture or sunlight. Often, professional carpet cleaners can restore some of the lost colour in a carpet, but sometimes the problem can be beyond repair. You might be tempted to dye the carpet, but be aware that this could be expensive and might not achieve the results you’re after.
If your carpet has noticeable areas that are faded, which won’t respond to professional treatments, it could be high time to consider replacing it – and avoiding the problems that caused the fading in the first place, so they don’t occur again.
6. Water damage
It can be upsetting to experience water entering a room and soaking a carpet, especially if it’s the result of rainwater flooding – an occurrence which seems to be becoming more common with climate change.
Where the source of the water comes from will dictate whether you’ll need to get a water-damaged carpet replaced or not. For example, if the water is classed as ‘clean’, such as coming from a source like an overflowing tap, shower or burst pipe, you might not necessarily need to get your carpet replaced. However, you’ll need to use an extractor machine to remove as much water as possible, and a dehumidifier.
‘Grey’ water, such as a leak from a dishwasher, washing machine or fish tank will need to be treated in the same way as with a clean water source, however, you may need to replace the carpet padding to prevent mould and bacteria forming.
The real problem you need to look out for is any damage caused by ‘black’ water. This is water from a burst riverbank, or overflowing sewage or blocked toilet. Black water can be teeming with pathogens and toxins, which will be difficult to fully remove from both a carpet and its padding. Therefore, this kind of water damage is more likely to necessitate a new carpet.
7. It’s over 10 years old
Carpets don’t last forever, and the average age you can expect to get from a standard carpet is around 10 years. So, if yours has passed this milestone, it could mean that a new carpet is on the cards. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that some high-quality carpets can last longer than 10 years, while you might be lucky to get five years out of some budget options.
One thing for sure is that how well you take care of a carpet, such as getting it professionally cleaned on a regular basis, can help to increase its lifespan.
8. A carpet no longer matches the decor
Most people redecorate a room every few years, changing the wallpaper or colour of the walls, for instance, as well as maybe buying new furniture or furnishings. If a carpet no longer matches any decor or design upgrades you have made to a room, or it looks dated in style, you might want to consider getting it replaced.
When choosing a new carpet, do bear in mind any future changes that you might want to make to a room, so you don’t have to keep changing your carpet every time you give a room a makeover. You might wish to choose a neutral style of carpet that will blend harmoniously with any style of decor.
With professional assistance from our carpet cleaning London company, we can keep your carpets looking in A1 condition for as long as possible, so you don’t need to get them replaced earlier than you might have anticipated.
