Today's carpeting is engineered to be just as tough as it is attractive and comfortable underfoot. But even the most expensive carpeting eventually reaches the end of the trail. Some of the signs your carpet needs to be replaced will be obvious. Others will be subtle. In an effort to bring clarity to the issue, the experts at Service First Carpet Cleaning & Restoration have compiled the following list of common signs your carpet needs replacing.

Seven Signs That It's Time to Replace Your Carpeting

Well-made carpeting should last an average of ten to fifteen years. The exact lifespan will depend on a number of factors - including the type of carpeting, the quality of the carpet padding, how much foot traffic it is subjected to and more. If you notice some or all of the following signs it is time to bid farewell to your current carpet.

Stains that won’t come out

If there are stains in your carpet that not even the most sophisticated steam cleaning system won't remove it's time for new carpeting. Most new carpeting comes with a stain-resistant finish applied at the factory. While this will not prevent stains it can make them easier to remove. Over time, however, this finish loses its effectiveness leaving the carpet susceptible to permanent staining. If your carpet stains won't come out it's likely a sign it has lost its stain resistance and should be replaced.

There’s water damage

Maybe the sink overflowed and the carpet was inundated. Or someone left a window open during a heavy rainstorm and water poured in. Or maybe your home was subjected to flooding. Whatever the reason, if your carpet has been wet for more than 72 hours straight you should have it ripped up and replaced. Why? Because if the carpet hasn’t dried to the touch in 3 days mold and bacteria will have taken up residence in the pile and padding and will spread, presenting a very real health hazard.

A foul, musty odor

Maybe you noticed a foul odor coming from the carpet and you had it cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning service. Unfortunately, after the cleaning, the smell was still there. If that's the case it indicates the odor has penetrated deep into the pile, the padding, and even the floor underneath the padding. It may also indicate mold and mildew are present under the carpet. If that's the case then the only thing that will completely eradicate the odor is replacing the carpet.

Excessive wear and tear

As we mentioned some signs your carpet needs replacing will be subtle and some will be obvious. Excessive wear and tear fall into the obvious column. When the carpeting first starts to show signs of wear you might toss a small throw rug over the affected area to buy yourself some time. Eventually, however, the wear and tear will have its way with ever-larger parts of the carpeting and the need to replace will be undeniable.

Family members develop respiratory conditions

If people in your family have begun to sniffle and sneeze around the house, or a loved one’s allergies have become worse recently there’s a good chance the carpet is the culprit. Over time pollen, dust, pet dander, and environmental pollutants can accumulate in the carpet. Especially if it isn’t professionally cleaned on a regular basis. When this happens all those accumulated allergens can have negative effects on the respiratory systems of people in the house, meaning it’s time for new carpeting.

The carpet padding is shot

Carpet padding wears down over time. Especially if there is a lot of foot traffic in a house. If your carpet feels less comfortable underfoot and is not doing as good a job absorbing sounds as it used to, it's a pretty good sign the padding is shot. And if the padding is shot that means the carpet has been taking a pounding, since there is no longer a buffer between it and the floor. In which case it’s too late to go looking for carpet cleaning companies. Everything will need to be replaced.

Your carpet is old

The final sign your carpet needs replacing is the most obvious of all: the carpet is old. If the carpet has been in place for 15 years or more it's time to start shopping for new carpeting. After that much time, the color in the fabric has faded significantly, the padding is virtually worthless, there is likely damage to the underside of the carpeting and the carpet will likely have lost its structural integrity and started bunching up and wrinkling.

Can You Prolong the Life of Your Carpet?

The short answer is, yes.

The best way to do that is to schedule local carpet cleaning professionals to clean carpets on a regular basis. Cleaning not only removes allergens but eliminates dirt and other tiny particles that act like sandpaper grinding and slowly destroys the integrity of the carpet fibers.

Another way to extend the life of your carpet is to vacuum regularly. Here in Cheyenne, WY there is always lots of dust and dirt carried in the air. A lot more than we want to admit makes it into our homes and into the carpeting. If you vacuum at least once a week you will help prevent all that dust and dirt from destroying your carpet.

You can also use mats and throw rugs in high-traffic areas to provide an extra layer of protection for the carpeting. And you should make it a habit to clean up any spills immediately. That goes for pet stains as well.

Trust Service First for All Your Carpet Cleaning Needs

There are real and effective steps you can take to extend the useful life of your carpeting, but at some point, every carpet reaches the end of the line and needs to be replaced. If you notice some or all of the above-listed signs your best bet is to replace the existing carpet. Your home will look better, smell better, feel better, and be a healthier place for people and pets alike.

If you need expert carpet cleaning or rug cleaning services call the experienced team from Service First Carpet Cleaning & Restoration at (307) 286-6195.