On average, flooring materials such as tiles, wood, and laminate should last at least a couple of decades. That's if they're maintained properly throughout their lifespan. If not, you could have to face floor repair more often than you'd like and eventual floor replacement.
But what are the telltale signs of floors that need a little TLC? While squeaky floors result from the natural aging or wear and tear process, there are other more serious signs to look out for.
Learn what these signs are in this blog.
1. Deep Scratches and Stains
It's only natural for your home flooring to develop a few scratches and stains over the years. Whether you have vinyl, laminate, tile, or wood floors, this is just part of the wear and tear process. Superficial scratches and stains are all the more expected when you have children and pets, too.Light-colored flooring is also far more likely to show up these stains and scratches. But if your floors develop deep scratches and stains that just won't budge, it's time to consider floor replacement.
The reason for this is that deep cracks and scratches on your floors make them susceptible to water damage and pest infections. Not something you want to be dealing with when you have young children or pets!
Not only this but tough, obvious stains are an eyesore that can also lead to floor rotting and a number of other health issues.
2. Floor Bulging/Softness
This is a sure-fire sign that you're dealing with floor damage related to water. Most of the time, the underlying cause is a slow leak that could be coming from your roof or some form of plumbing issue.This is a tricky situation as you'll need to find the source of the leak, first, before you can tackle flooring repair or replacement. The last thing you want is to ignore the leak, which could only result in major damage to other areas of your home!
Some of the most obvious signs are areas of softness and bulging in your flooring. As well as dark stains and a buildup of mold. You might also see ''cupping'', which is when the edges of your flooring appear to curl inward.
3. Sagging, Creaky Floors
If you have wooden floors you'll know that there is an element of noise that goes hand-in-hand with having these types of floors. But if the noise becomes very loud, annoying, and obvious, this is your sign that there's underlying damage.Creaky, squeaky, or sagging floorboards could point to an installation issue, loose nails, sub-floor damage, or wood rotting. Whatever you do, don't wait for your noisy floors to become noisier. Tackle the issue when it first shows up.
4. Obvious Floor Discoloration
No matter how much you clean, vacuum, steam, or polish your floors, areas of discoloration linger. If this sounds familiar, it's a sign that your flooring has done its time and needs replacing.While your first step is to try a deep clean to get rid of discoloration, it might not change the end result if the actual material has weathered beyond repair. Floor discoloration could also point to a bigger issue, such as underlying issues of wood rot or mold.
Mold and mildew are stubborn issues when it comes to tiling -- especially in the kitchen or bathroom. While you can do your best to keep it clean, you could also have other problems, such as dampness.
You don't want to ignore any of these issues, especially when raising young children in your home. Living with mold, mildew, and dampness could lead to long-term health issues.
5. Unpleasant and Persistent Smells
The same goes for lingering smells in your home that you just can't seem to get rid of. Most of the time, pets are to blame thanks to the dirt they track in from the outdoors, as well as urine staining. If this is the case, you might need to clean your subflooring, then pick a floor replacement suitable for pets.Once again, mold, mildew, and dampness are also to blame for a lingering musty smell throughout the home. If you've tried floor cleaning and steaming but the smell lingers, floor replacement might be your only answer.
6. Allergy Flare-Ups
There are certain types of flooring that can flare up allergies, without you even realizing it. If you've tried everything to combat your allergies, but nothing is working, you might need to take a look at the floors under your feet.When it comes to carpeting, a buildup of dust and pollen can irritate your airways, only exacerbating allergies. While some other flooring materials such as vinyl, hardwood, and tiles carry VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that cause allergies.
If you're looking for relief, floor replacement might be your answer.
7. Weathered and Outdated Flooring
Sometimes the floors in your home need replacing because they've served their purpose. This is especially true of older homes. Weathered floors have a way of aging a home beyond its years.If your floors are a couple of decades old, then there's nothing wrong with wanting to update them.
It's actually a good idea as it brings up the resale value of your home. Whether you've just moved in or lived in your home for a good few years, refreshing your flooring is one of the best things you can do for it.
Looking to Replace Your Squeaky Floors?
Whether you have squeaky floors, scratched, dented, weathered, or water-damaged floors, National Floors Direct is here to offer you choice. We specialize in not only offering modern, hard-wearing floor materials but free installation to boot.Choose from a selection of carpeting, hardwood options, vinyl, laminate, and more. Or, get in touch with our team for all your home flooring queries.
