However, there's one area of the home that homeowners have a tendency to overlook: the carpet. Take a moment and ask yourself, "When was the last time my carpet was replaced?" It's probably been a while, right?
The real question is, how long does carpet last? While there's no definitive answer to this question, there are a lot of factors you can take into consideration when deciding if it's time for new carpeting.
Read on to learn more about what can lower your carpet's lifespan and signs that it's time to add carpeting to your list of renovations.
How Long Does Carpet Last? Factors to Consider
On average, we would say that most carpets last anywhere from five to eight years. However, this doesn't go for every carpet out there. Everything from maintenance to material to usage will affect your carpet's durability and how long you can wait before replacement.
Maintenance
How well you take care of your carpet will determine how long it will continue to look and feel appealing. For example, tackling stains when they happen decreases the chance that you'll be stuck with them permanently. Drying water spills rather than leaving them to sit will help to ensure that mold does not begin to grow beneath your padding and your subfloor.
Neglecting your carpet, however, will allow it to deteriorate in a matter of one to two years.
Material
What materials were used to create your carpet? Are they low-quality synthetics or rich, durable materials like wool? How thin was the carpet to begin with?
If your carpet is made of low-quality materials, you can expect it to wear it much faster.
Usage
Perhaps the biggest factor that will determine how long your carpet lasts is usage. For example, carpeted stairs and hallways tend to need replacement more frequently than any other area in the house because they see the most foot traffic. That means that they come into contact with more contaminants and the pile is worn down more quickly.
Signs That It's Time to Replace Old Carpeting
If you're not sure how the factors listed above have affected your carpet, it's time for a visual inspection. Old carpets have a tendency to show signs that they're in need of replacement. Let's take a look at some of the most obvious signs so that you can easily assess whether or not it's time for your current carpet to go.
Permanent Stains and Odors
Perhaps you've reached the point where you can no longer keep covering stains with pieces of furniture. Maybe you've tried store-bought carpet cleaners only to find that the stains and odors didn't come out and may have even gotten worse.
If this is the case, the stains and sources of strange odors coming from your carpet have probably seeped too far into the fibers and padding of your carpet and they're not coming out. At that point, you're better off replacing your carpet altogether than investing in a long trial-and-error process that may never return real results.
Mold and Mildew
Leaks and carpeting do not mix and carpets become water damaged more often than you may realize. Whether you've dropped a glass of water or a pipe in your walls is leaking, water that is left to pool and air dry can cause harmful mold and mildew to grow on or beneath your carpet.
If you are aware of any recent water damage in your home, consider asking a home inspector to take a look at your carpeting. In addition, keep an eye out for any visible stains on your carpet that seem to grow or change shape. If you find mold in your carpet, the only safe option is to remove it and replace it.
Wear and Tear
Because carpeting occupies so much of the visual plane, a worn-out carpet will make your home look much shabbier than it actually is. If your carpet has visible matting or tearing, it's time to replace it. If it has started to loosen or buckle, this is also a sign that it's time to get restretched, at the very least, if not replaced altogether.
Worn-out carpets aren't just an eyesore. In some cases, they're a safety hazard, creating more opportunities for you or your guests to trip and fall.
Respiratory Troubles
Did you know that your carpeting can hold up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch? From foot traffic to settling toxins, your carpet plays host to all sorts of unwelcome guests if you're not cleaning it on a regular basis.
While this bacteria isn't visible to the naked eye, it can have some serious consequences. Dust mites and other irritants can cause or worsen respiratory problems like asthma or seasonal allergies. If someone in your home is experiencing an increase in respiratory symptoms, your carpet may be the culprit.
National Floors Direct Is Here to Help
How long does carpet last? It depends on how well you take care of it, how it was made, and how much foot traffic it gets. Chances are that if it's time to replace your carpet, your carpet is trying to tell you that already!
National Floors Direct is available to replace your carpets and other flooring materials whenever you need it. To start, request a free in-home estimate. All you need to do is tell us where you live and when you're available, and we'll show up to give you an estimate of how much your project will cost!
