5 signs that it is time to get a new carpet
With the proper maintenance and regular professional cleaning, you can dramatically extend the life of your carpet.
However, eventually, even the most well looked after carpet will begin to show the wear and tear of regular use over many years.
By looking out for these signs, some subtle, some glaringly obvious, you will be able to determine when it is time to take the plunge and have a new carpet installed in your home.
Signs you need to replace your carpet
Carpets usually last between 5-15 years depending on the quality of materials used, foot traffic, and how well they have been maintained during that time.
Eventually, even the highest quality carpets will see deterioration in one way or another in the form of fading or thread wear.
Here are the 5 top signs that your carpet is damaged beyond repair and a replacement is required:
1. Permanent Stains
A professional cleaning firm will be able to eliminate signs of all but the toughest stains.
Some stains, however, become so embedded within the fibres of a carpet that even industrial strength cleaning equipment cannot remove all the evidence of a spillage.
If you are finding that you have to cover up stains with a rug or furniture, and carpet cleaning is making little difference to the affected areas, it’s time to have your carpets replaced.
If you have a permanent biological stain, such as those caused by pet urine, vomit, or faces, that has been absorbed into the carpet padding, it is particularly important that you have your carpet replaced as soon as possible to avoid mould growth, and the associated health problems.
2. Rips and Tears
Are you finding yourself arranging your furniture and rugs to cover rips and tears in your carpet? If so, it is probably time to admit defeat and choose a new carpet.
Small tears can usually be covered up yourself, or by a professional, however, larger rips usually require a replacement, especially in common walkway areas such as stairs.
Some carpet materials simply cannot be repaired, with polyester carpet fibres in particular, having a tendency to mat and lose form over time and once it loses its tuft, it will never return to its original appearance.
3. Nasty Odours
Carpet odours are not unusual, especially after a spillage or if you own a pet, but with the appropriate deep cleaning, they can usually be either eradicated or significantly diminished.
If this is not the case, then it is a sign that the particles causing the odours to have penetrated the carpet pad.
The work required to fully eliminate this odour at this stage is often so extensive that the most cost-effective approach is simply to have the carpet replaced completely.
4. Damaged Carpet Padding
Without padding, carpet is just a useless layer of fabric, providing an essential supporting foundation, and making the surface comfortable to walk on.
Besides comfort, carpet padding has many practical purposes including adding stability, improving insulation, and buffering sound.
It also absorbs any spills that are allowed to soak through the carpet fibres and unfortunately cannot be cleaned effectively by many commercial carpet cleaners.
If your carpet padding has become damaged beyond repair, signified by unevenness, wrinkles, and a crinkling sound, the entire carpet is compromised, and it is time for a replacement.
5. Allergies
Carpets which have accumulated a large amount of particulate matter over the years can lead to mild to severe allergic reactions when disturbed.
If you have noticed a significant increase in your allergies acting up whilst you are inside your home, your old carpet may well be the cause.
Often a deep clean will be more than capable of eliminating allergens but if you have tried this repeatedly without seeing any improvement you might be fighting a losing battle.
Consider a Deep Clean
Many people panic the moment they see evidence of deterioration in their carpet.
Before you rush out and spend a considerable amount of money on a brand-new carpet, however, it is worth consulting with a professional cleaning company such as Acorn Carpet Cleaning Glasgow.
Many of the signs that a carpet may need replacing might not be as permanent as they first appear, and a professional deep clean can often restore your carpet in a much more cost-effective manner.
The general rule is that even if no spills or obvious deterioration has occurred, you have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaning firm.
For stain removal, odour removal, or a general deep carpet clean, contact Acorn Carpet Cleaning today on 0141 212 0212, or email us at info@acorncarpetcleaning.co.uk.