When you think about how much your carpets go through on a day-to-day basis, it’s surprising that they don’t need replacing more often. Depending on the number of people in your house, any given section of carpet is being trodden on dozens, if not hundreds, of times a day. That doesn’t even take into consideration spills and stains, family pets, vacuuming, or anything else. No matter how good the quality of your carpet is, it will wear down over time and need to be replaced with a new one.
In this article, we will show you how to tell if your carpet needs replacing, giving you seven telltale signs that maybe it has seen better days.
Signs your carpet needs replacing
1. Worn padding
Underneath your carpet is a layer of padding that supports and protects the fibres, as well as providing insulation. Over time, this padding wears away, leaving noticeable dips and wrinkles in the carpet. If your carpet is looking a little thin, this could be a sign of worn padding.
2. Matted fibres
If the fibres in your carpet begin to fray after many years of use, you may find those loose strands start to mat together. This results in bare patches where the threads have begun to unravel and even tears in the carpet where the structural integrity has been weakened.
3. Fading
Like most fabrics, carpets lose their colour over time, whether through regular cleaning, foot traffic, or exposure to sunlight. While certain professional cleaning techniques purport to restore the colour of your carpets, in our experience, they rarely get it completely right.
4. Stubborn Stains
With modern carpets, stains aren’t the nightmare they used to be. Every now and then, however, you’ll get a particularly stubborn one, especially if it’s been left to sit for a while. You might be able to cover it up with a rug, but if it is especially noticeable, it might be better to replace the carpet.
5. Mould
If your home is particularly humid, you run the risk of mould. It typically starts below the carpet, slowly creeping up to the surface until it is fully visible. Not only is it unpleasant to look at, certain types of mould can cause health problems, especially if anyone in the property has respiratory issues.
6. Water damage
Once your carpet has been water-damaged, it can be hard to get it back to its original condition. Even if the water itself is clean, you need to hire water extraction vacuums and dehumidifiers to get the job done. Even then, it can take weeks, and the fibres might still be damaged.
7. A change in style
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with the carpet itself—you just fancy a change. Maybe you’ve repainted the room, and your carpet no longer matches the rest of the décor. Perhaps you’ve bought some stylish new furniture and would like a carpet that complements it better. Whatever it might be, wanting a change of style is as valid a reason for replacing your carpet as anything else.
How long does carpet last?
While there’s no hard-and-fast rule regarding the longevity of your carpet, you can expect most to last around 10–15 years with standard use. Of course, this can vary wildly depending on the quality of the carpet, its environmental conditions, how much foot traffic it undergoes, and how well you look after it. That’s why the signs we’ve listed here are a more reliable way to gauge when it’s time for a new carpet than its age alone.
How to tell if your carpet needs replacing: final thoughts
If your carpet has seen better days and needs to be replaced, J Daniel Carpet & Flooring Ltd is here to help. Based in Telford, we offer a full, end-to-end carpet fitting service to customers in our own county and across the country. Call the team today on 01952 461 700 or send an email to info@jdcf.co.uk to arrange a home visit or to get a free, no-obligation quote.