How long does a carpet last? In order to determine whether your carpet needs to be replaced, you can also consider the following factors.
A carpet should last five to fifteen years on average. However, a carpet’s lifespan greatly depends on its quality and how you use it. A high-quality carpet can last up to 20 years with the right maintenance.
The longest-lasting carpets are those made of wool or nylon. Carpets made of polyester and polypropylene (olefin) are less expensive but less durable. Every material has advantages. But if you’re looking for a carpet that will last as long as possible, nylon and wool are easily the best choices.
To determine whether your carpet needs to be replaced or not, there are a number of different signs and signals you can look for. Read on if you’re curious to find out more about when it’s appropriate to replace your carpet.
Signs to Replace Your Carpet
Stains in Carpet
Are you covering up carpet stains with furniture and rugs when carpet cleaning fails to remove them? The time has come to replace your carpet if your home is beginning to resemble a minefield. The majority of carpets have a stain-resistant finish when they are first installed, but the finish eventually fades and renders the carpet unprotected.
Pet urine, feces, vomit, mold, and mildew stains are typically simple to remove if you move quickly. But over time, these biological substances will seep into the carpet padding, causing a buildup of mold and mildew underneath the carpet. Consider replacing the carpet if there are multiple biological stains, as mold exposure could be dangerous.
Water Damage
Although water damage in any area of your house is dangerous, you should think about replacing your carpet if it has been wet for more than 72 hours. It will be more difficult to clean the carpet and control mold growth during this time because mold can grow exponentially. In these situations, installing new carpet is frequently the safest and simplest course of action.
Wear and Tear on Carpet
Has your carpet outlived its usefulness? Are you moving furniture to hide flaws or covering rips and tears with rugs all over the place? If they lay on it, are your kids afraid? The main signs that your carpet is nearing the end are matted carpet, tears, and significant wear on the main walkways.
The carpet fibers made of polyester are known for matting and losing their shape. Even after being professionally cleaned, it never regrows its tuft after it falls down and loses it. But nylon carpeting typically has greater tensile strength than polyester and is more responsive to carpet cleaning, even when matted.
Small tears and rips in carpet may be repaired by you on your own, or you may choose to hire a carpet repair expert. Large rips and tears, however, frequently indicate that the carpet needs to be replaced, particularly if they are visible on stairways or significant walkways.
Fading Colors
Both sunlight and foot traffic cause carpet colors to fade. Fortunately, these problems are merely aesthetic and don’t call for immediate attention. However, matting is also much more likely to affect carpets that have begun to fade as a result of foot traffic.
Stinky Carpet
If you own a pet or haven’t cleaned in a while, you may notice a lingering smell on your carpet, but the odor should be gone or noticeably diminished after a proper cleaning. If it doesn’t, the odor has likely seeped deep into the carpet fibers, the carpet pad, or the subfloor and may even be a sign of mold and mildew growth. In situations like this, replacing the entire carpet is frequently a more cost-effective option to completely get rid of the odor or odors.
Condition of Carpet Padding
Without carpet padding, the carpet is nothing more than a layer of fabric; it is like the pillow inside the case. It serves as a foundation for the carpet, supporting it and making it cozy to walk and lay on. It dampens noise, maintains peace and quiet, and even enhances insulation.
Although many spills are also absorbed by carpet padding, cleaning the padding is not always necessary. Unevenness, creases, and a crinkling sound when someone walks over old padding are telltale signs of it.
Increased Allergy Symptoms
Older carpets frequently accumulate and hold on to more allergens and particulates, which can make your allergies worse. Your old carpet might be the cause of an increase in allergies, if you notice one.
Matting
One of the most appealing features of carpet floors is the way it feels under your feet. All carpets will eventually experience some matting. They become less cozy to sit or stand on as a result of the carpet’s flattening.
Matting affects areas of carpet with high traffic more than areas with less frequent use. But over time, all carpets will eventually become somewhat matted. However, matting is a long-lasting process, even though carpet cleaning can lessen the severity. Therefore, you should begin considering replacing your carpet as soon as you start to notice it.
Age of Carpet
Are you still stepping on the shag carpet from the 1970s that came with your home? Do you regularly have it cleaned? Believe it or not, even with proper maintenance, carpet doesn’t last indefinitely. According to the majority of manufacturers, with proper maintenance, carpet should last 10 years.
The major walkways begin to show signs of wear after ten years, and the carpet fibers begin to lose their texture and tuft. If you find yourself repeatedly cleaning the carpet but still not getting the desired results, it may be time to put the carpet to rest. Signs of old carpet include:
- Color loss
- Fading
- Matting
- Ripples
- Wrinkles
- Lack of padding support
How to Make Your Carpet Last Longer?
A high-quality carpet can last up to 20 years with proper care. Here are some tips for proper carpet care:
Clean Your Carpets Regularly
At the very least once per week, vacuum your carpets to get rid of dust and debris and to lift the fibers to avoid matting. Additionally, we advise performing a deep steam clean every 12 to 18 months. Professional cleaners or high-quality cleaning agents like Rug Doctor can remove bacteria and buildup from your carpets as well as remove even the most difficult stains (or at least lessen their appearance).
Use Entrance Mats
Doorways typically receive a lot of foot traffic and are prone to collecting dirt and debris. A simple way to prevent your carpet from wearing out too quickly is to use a washable doormat.
Make Sure Your Carpets Are Installed Properly in the First Place
Your carpet’s lifespan will be significantly shortened by improper installation or underlayment. Be sure to work with a reputable flooring business!
Your choice of carpet’s quality will have a significant impact on how frequently you need to replace it. The Harrisons Flooring team is pleased to provide a wide selection of premium carpet flooring options to accommodate every lifestyle and financial situation.
Make Your Carpet Last as Long as Possible
Carpet typically lasts between 5 and 15 years on average, but that time can be easily increased with the proper upkeep and cleaning. It can be challenging for you to decide when it’s the ideal time to replace your current carpeting if you aren’t an expert carpet cleaner.
You can use all of the recommendations we made above to help you come to a decision if you’ve been wondering how long the carpet lasts.
