Blog>Questions>How often should you replace your carpet?
Last updated: 6 September 2023
How often should you replace your carpet?
We all love the feel of a plush carpet underfoot. But, no matter how well you look after your carpet, at some point it will go from soft and cosy to worn and threadbare.
We all love the feel of a plush carpet underfoot. But, no matter how well you look after your carpet, at some point it will go from soft and cosy to worn and threadbare. Here, we’ll look at how often you should replace your carpet to keep your home looking spick and span through the years.
How often should you replace your carpet?
There’s no set rule as to how often you should replace your carpet. Rather, it’s about how well your carpet is withstanding the test of time.
Most carpets last somewhere in the range of 5 to 15 years.
If your carpet has reached the grand old age of 10, it’s likely starting to show some signs of wear, even if it’s a high-quality carpet in a room that doesn’t get much foot traffic. Your carpet’s fibres may disintegrate, the padding might deteriorate and the colour can even fade.
If your carpet has survived this long, it’s probably a good time to start thinking about replacing it. That said, if you’ve painstakingly maintained it and it’s still in good condition after 10 years, there’s no need to fork out on carpet replacement just yet.
How to tell when your carpet needs replacing
Wondering whether your carpet needs replacing? These tell-tale signs can give you an idea:
Rips and tears
Small rips and tears can often be repaired. However, larger rips and tears, especially on stairs or areas of high traffic, are signs that your carpet should be replaced.
Matting
Polyester carpets are known for losing their form and matting. After this, they won’t return to normal, even after professional carpet cleaning.
Significant wear
If you’re embarrassed by the worn-out look of your carpet, replacing it could be good for your peace of mind. Colour loss, fading and lack of padding support are all signs your carpet is on its way out.
Stains
Many stains can be removed with the right approach to carpet cleaning. But if you're up against stubborn stains, or you’ve damaged your carpet by attempting to clean it with harsh chemicals, a replacement might be overdue.
Water damage
Has your carpet been wet for longer than 72 hours? Unfortunately, this can result in mould growth. Replacing your carpet could be safer and easier than getting mould growth under control.
Bad smell
If your carpet is harbouring a bad smell that won’t leave even after professional cleaning, the chances are the smell has penetrated deep into the carpet fibres, padding or the subfloor. It could be more cost-effective to replace the carpet than to deal with the issue fully.
Allergy flare-ups
Older carpets often harbour more allergens than newer carpets. Next time you have a flare-up, ask yourself whether your old carpets could be the cause.
Issues with your carpet padding
Is your carpet uneven or wrinkled? Does it feel thin underfoot, or even make a crinkly sound when you walk over it? These could all be signs of old carpet padding that needs to be replaced.
Get your carpets replaced
So, now you have the knowledge to spot when your carpet needs replacing. But, there’s no need to wait until you see these signs to do something about your carpet.
Simply get a quote from a professional carpet fitter to find out how much it’ll cost to swap your old carpets for the carpets you’ve been lusting after.
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