How Long Carpet Lasts & 7 Signs It's Time to Replace It
Everyone wants to invest in the longest-lasting carpet to ensure it does not start falling apart after only a few years of usage. That's wisdom!
But how long does carpeting last?
The average lifespan of carpeting, depending on its quality, amount of traffic, pets, and number of children, among other factors, is about 5 to 15 years.
Wear, increased allergy symptoms, dormant stains, discoloration, and odors are signs that you need to replace your carpet.
This article explains the average lifespan of a carpet, when to replace it, and the causes of damage.
How Long Does Carpeting Last?
Carpeting lasts 5 to 15 years in a home with average traffic. Quality and construction, among other factors, determine the carpet's lifespan.
For example, a woolen carpet could last up to 25 years, while a berber or nylon carpet could last at least 10 to 15 years.
Once the lifespan ends, the carpet becomes less aesthetically pleasant and softness greatly diminished.
Factors That Affect the Lifespan of a Carpet
Quality, pets, traffic, and the choice of carpet cleaning method are among the major factors determining the lifespan of carpeting.
Quality of the Carpet
A carpet's construction, fibers, and quality hugely determines its lifespan. Some carpets last longer than others because they're more resistant to wear and tear.
For example, with excellent maintenance, favorable conditions, and average traffic, nylon carpets can last 10 to 15 years, easily. Under the same conditions, woolen carpets may last up to 25 years.
A high-quality carpet is expensive, but it saves you the cost of unnecessary frequent replacement. Ultimately, cheap is expensive in the long-term: you get what you pay for!
Carpet Cleaning Methods
Frequent vacuuming and regular deep cleaning are effective ways to extend the lifespan of your carpet.
However, not all carpet cleaning methods, products, and tools suit your carpet's construction.
A lack of knowledgeable cleaning skills, the use of harsh carpet cleaning products, and the wrong choice of carpet cleaning tools contribute to carpets' quicker wear and tear.
Hire Zerorez, a professional carpet cleaner, if you lack the skills, tools, and carpet cleaning products.
Carpet Traffic
Carpets wear and tear more frequently when installed in entryways, stairways, hallways, playrooms, and other high-traffic areas.
Carpets in low-traffic areas like sitting rooms and bedrooms don't wear out fast. You may have to protect carpeting in high-traffic areas with more layers, like area rugs and runners.
Pets
Pets love scratching carpets with their claws, drastically shortening its lifespan. If you have pets, expect a carpet that could last 15 years to last only about 5 to 7 years. Doing pet spot and odor treatments can help your carpets look and smell better though.
Carpet Construction
High-pile carpets have looser and softer fibers than low-pile carpets, making them more prone to damage. Low-pile carpets may not be as comfortable as high-pile, but they last longer.
High-density carpets last longer because the tufts are closer, preventing frequent wear and tear. Carpets with many twists per inch are also better at resisting wear and tear.
Carpet Care
If you neglect your carpet and allow dirt, dust, and stains to build up, its lifespan will be incredibly short. To reach its maximum lifespan, give your carpet excellent care.
Vacuum and deep clean regularly. Use the right tools and products, or hire the experts to deep clean your carpets.
7 Signs You Need to Replace Your Carpet
If you're wondering when is the right time to replace your carpet, here are the signs to look out for:
Your Carpet's Age
Towards the end of a carpet's lifespan, you'll notice carpet wrinkles and lumps, wear and tear, and fading. Aged carpets also lack good padding support.
Carpet Wear and Tear
Some minor carpet wear and tear may be repaired, but major ones are signs that your carpet needs to be replaced. The areas that experience wear and tear often include the stairways, entryways, playrooms, hallways, and other high-traffic areas.
Dormant Carpet Stains
It is challenging to treat wine, bleach, tea, mustard, and plant food. A professional carpet cleaner can usually remove them and other carpet spots and stains though.
If you can't get the stain off the carpet, regardless of the type of stain or stain remover you use, it's time to replace it.
Lingering Carpet Odors
After deep cleaning your carpet, odors should disappear completely. If the odor lingers, it has penetrated deep into the subfloor, fibers, or carpet pad.
Mold and mildew also cause carpets to have a hard-to-deal-with foul spell. Replace your carpet with a new one.
Increases in Allergy Symptoms
An older carpet, especially one not cleaned regularly, easily catches and retains particulate matter and allergens, causing allergy symptoms in some individuals.
If you still have allergy symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose after thoroughly deep cleaning your carpet, order a new one.
The Carpet Is Matted
When a carpet becomes old, especially near the end of its lifespan, it starts matting. The padding underneath begins to give way, and the plushness and softness are lost, making the carpet uneven and uncomfortable.
You can do little once you notice bare spots on your carpet; simply replace it.
Carpet Discoloration
Over time, improper carpet washing and spot treatments, high traffic, stains, and exposure to sunlight contribute to carpet fading or discoloration. This is why it's really important to apply Premium Fiber Protector after each deep cleaning of your carpet.
FAQs
How Long Does Carpet Last With Pets?
Pets love to scratch carpets, incredibly shortening their lifespan. Carpets that have a lifespan of 5 years could last only 2 to 3 years, while those that last about 15 years could last only 7 to 8 years with pets. We recommend selecting carpets that are good for pets, trimming your pets' nails and hair regularly, and getting carpets regularly cleaned.
How Long Should Wall-To-Wall Carpeting Last?
Wall-to-wall carpeting may last about 5 to 10 years and more if it's made of cotton.
Mold and mildew growth, pets, negligence, and high traffic, among other factors, could lower the lifespan of your wall-to-wall carpets.
Take good care of your carpet by cleaning it often, wiping away stains as soon as possible, and removing shoes while walking on it to ensure your wall-to-wall carpeting lasts its full lifespan.
How Long Does Carpet Last in High-Traffic Areas?
High traffic could shorten the lifespan of your carpet by half! A carpet that should last at least 15 years could last only about 7 years or less. High traffic causes wear and tear, which could be difficult to repair.
How Long Does Carpet Padding Last?
Thicker and firmer carpet padding can last up to 25 years. In high-traffic areas, the padding may last only about 10 years.
Carpets with thick and firm padding last longer because they don't tear or wear easily.
How Long Does Carpet Last in a Rental?
Some property owners say you should replace your rental carpet every five years. If the carpet is worn out before the five years ends, replace it. See this post on more information on move out carpet cleaning.
How Long Does Berber Carpet Last?
Berber carpets are among the most durable carpets to buy because they last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, as it's somewhat easier to clean Berber carpets. Their lifespan could be shortened by negligence, the wrong choice of cleaning products and tools, high traffic, and pets.
Professional carpet cleaning extends the lifespan of your carpet.
Zerorez is the best carpet cleaning service provider, and we boast the highest carpet cleaning rating! From our choice of tools, level of skills, cleaning products, and jaw-dropping reviews by our past clients, you can't go wrong in hiring us. Don't let dust, stains, dirt, and contaminants determine the lifespan of your carpet, resulting in unexpected expenses. Schedule online and help your carpets last longer.
