Some questions come up often enough that we’ve decided to create a blog series, Common Questions. In this post, we answer the question: Should I replace my carpet?
Signs that You Should Replace Your Carpet
Sometimes, a carpet just needs a good cleaning to get rid of stains or smells. Other times, the wear and tear on a carpet warrants a replacement. Here are some signs you should replace your carpet:
Too Many Difficult Stains
Stains are easier to remove if you catch them right away. The longer a stain has to penetrate your carpet, the more difficult it’s going to be to remove. Additionally, some stains are trickier than others. Stains from bleach, plant food, tea, wine and mustard can be difficult or impossible to remove. If you have stains like this, you can try to find a carpet cleaner with techniques for removing tough stains without damaging the glue that binds the carpet to the pad beneath. You can also try covering difficult stains with furniture. However, too many stains are unsightly and your room would experience an amazing “face lift” by replacing the carpet.
Old Biological Stains
A biological stain is a stain resulting from pet urine, feces, vomit, mold and mildew. These stains are easy to remove if you act fast. But if you let these stains sit too long, they will seep into the carpet padding. This leads to mold and mildew beneath the carpet. If you have several old biological stains on your carpet, consider a replacement to avoid the health hazards of mold.
Wear and Tear
No amount of cleaning will fix snags, rips, and frays on a carpet. If the texture and consistency of your carpet are compromised from years of wear and tear, only a replacement will restore the appearance of your carpet. If your carpet is matted, a carpet cleaning may be able to restore it’s form. Polyester carpet fibers tend to matt and lose their form while nylon is more resistant to matting and can recover with a carpet cleaning.
Smelly, Stinky Carpet
If your carpet has an odor that cleaning has failed to remove, don’t just cover it up with air fresheners and candles. A bad smell that won’t go away is a sign that stains have penetrated deep into the carpet where mold and mildew are now growing. Replace the carpet for your health. Additionally, you’ll be able to better enjoy your room without a lingering odor.
Old Carpet Padding
If your carpet feels uneven or wrinkles and crinkles when you walk over it, that is a sign your carpet padding is falling apart. This indicates it’s a good time to replace the carpet.