Carpets are widely loved for their aesthetic, soft, and lush look, but then, it is attributed with a short lifespan.
How long does carpet last? This question has been frequently asked by carpet users or potential buyers. Carpets last for as long as 10 to 15 years, only if it is properly maintained. It also depends on the quality and the carpeting type. Without proper care, a carpet might not last up to a decade.
Read on as we throw more light on this.
Related: How long does it take to replace carpet with hardwood
How to Care for your Carpet
Table of Contents
In as much as the carpet has a given time, it is expected to last, without proper maintenance it would fall short of the expectation. Hence, the need to care for your carpet regularly.
1. Vacuum the Carpet Regularly
It is important you vacuum at least, once every week, to get rid of stains and dirt. This is because, it has this tendency of moving under the carpet’s texture, where it would cause more harm.
2. Clean Spills Immediately
Do well to clean every spilling of liquid on the carpet immediately. Spillage is unavoidable, but acting immediately to salvage the situation would save you from lots of stress. The longer they stay on the carpet, the faster they sip into its texture. In some rare cases, the spills may become hard to get rid of.
3. Make Use of Entrance Mats
It is necessary you place doormats at the entrance of your door or strategic places in the home. This would make visitors leave their shoes outside and not trail stains into the room. This is especially so, for areas where it rains often. This would avoid the trailing of mud and moisture into the home.
4. You Would Need Professional Cleaning from Time to Time
At some point, there would arise the need to call on professional cleaners to help you deep clean your carpet. Vacuum is a well-needed step for carpet maintenance, but there are points where vacuuming won’t solve the problem.
If you are really intentional about your carpet maintenance, you would always call on the help of professionals every 12 to 18 months. This won’t only help maintain the carpet, it would also help with air regulation within the room.
Signs That Your Carpet Needs Changing
There are times when it is glaring that your floor needs changing, this is mostly from signs it might have shown over time.
1. Stubborn Stains
In a case where stains are taking over the color of the carpet, like wine stains, coffee stains, and even spaghetti sauce stains, it is best to change the carpet entirely. Especially in cases where there are already multiple dents in the carpets.
Though professional cleaning might help in this aspect, you should not make use of cleaners bought from the store, it can cause more harm to your carpet. It might make the stain even worse.
You should also consider covering the severely stained part with furniture. But your best bet is to change the carpet entirely.
Read: How to remove really old carpet stains
2. Water Damage and Mold
Stains caused by water damage and mold aside from looking terrible can also cause harm to the health. Water damage from trickling pipes and radiators can cause mold and decay stains on your carpet. Mold stains can be hazardous and lethal for those with severe mold allergies or asthma.
The safest way of safeguarding your carpet from water and mold damages is by constantly paying attention, especially carpets installed near pipes. Be on the lookout for green, black, or white stains that change shape. Also, mildew smells that has refused to fade.
3. Foul Odors
In a case where even adequate cleaning can’t get rid of an obvious foul smell in the carpet, the smell may have leaked into the carpet texture, padding, and even the subfloor.
This foul smell might have been from vomits, spillage, feces, pet urine, also from mold and mildew. This shows that not only is a smelly carpet undesirable, it can also cause potential health problems.
Hence, the only option in your arsenal is to get rid of the carpet and replace it with a new one.
4. Wear and Tear
If your carpet has begun to show evidence of wear and tear, your home tends to look shabby and unattractive no matter how clean it is.
Carpet fibers start to show signs of wear, tear, fray after three to five years of installation, so some wear and tear can be almost impossible to prevent. This is even more so for areas with high traffic, places like stairs, hallways, and sitting rooms.
Don’t forget that, worn patches, frays, and mattings can cause trips, falls, and slips. So this shows how dangerous it can be; hence the need for quick replacement to avoid hazards.
5. Increased Allergy Signs
Carpets have this high tendency of magnetizing, dirt, pet furs, dust, pollen, and lots of other allergens that can lead to sneezing, stuffiness, red eyes, and itching. It even has the tendency of causing lethal health problems for asthmatic ones.
Although professional cleaning might come of help, it might not totally wipe off these allergens from the home. So, it is preferable to change the carpet entirely.
6. Worn Out Padding
Carpet padding provides a coating of buffering and added insulation to the carpet. As time progresses, your carpet padding might get weak and ragged just like the carpet placed above it. This would result in an uneven, creased, and uncomfortable walk on the carpet.
Once the carpet padding is worn out, it is best to replace it alongside the carpet.
How Long Does Nylon Carpet Last?
Nylon carpet is known as the most durable carpeting type. It lasts up to 12 to 15 years with the proper maintenance and care. This also has to do with the quality of the nylon carpet. So, it is advisable to maintain your nylon carpet.
How Long Does Polyester Carpet Last?
Polyester carpet can last from 5 to 15 years, but it is solely based on how well it is maintained. Places with low care and high traffic would affect how long it would last heavily. It also has to do with the quality of the polyester carpet.
Read: Nylon vs Polyester Carpet, which is better
Conclusion
How long does carpet last? This is a very important question as far as carpet maintenance and demand is concerned. Carpets are expected to last from 10 to 15 years, when properly taken care of, also depending on the quality of the carpeting type.
