But what if your carpet or upholstery is starting to show signs of wear and tear? Is it better to try professional carpet repair, or invest in replacing the carpet in your home? Here we look at how to make the decision that’s right for your budget, needs and lifestyle.
Evaluating Your Carpet
Carpet can last from between 10 to 20 years, with the type of carpet as well as the quality of the maintenance determining your carpet’s total life span. You may notice patches of wear and damage on the carpet for yourself, but a professional carpet inspection can help to more fully assess how to best maintain and repair your carpet. An expert carpet inspection can actually save you time and money by more accurately evaluating the life of the carpet, the areas of damage and staining, and plans for the future preservation of your carpet, as well as the padding underneath.
Renewing Old Carpet and Upholstery
If your carpet is in fairly good condition, but you still have more than just a couple of stains and marks, it’s worth investing in professional carpet cleaning. Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning can help to remove dirt, dust and stains from deep within the carpet and padding, and lift out old stains, oils and dirt from soft furnishings like curtains and sofas. However, if the carpet is torn, worn down or ‘bald’, more thorough repairs will be needed. In the same way, sofas, curtains and rugs will withstand some repairs, but upholstery that is very heavily damaged will need to be replaced.
Repairing Damaged Carpet
If you are considering trying to salvage your existing carpet by conducting repairs on damaged areas, it’s always best to call in a professional to inspect your carpet and give you an idea of the benefits and costs involved. Professional carpet repair can be highly effective, restoring your carpet to an ‘as new’ condition, at a fraction of the cost of replacing the carpet in the whole room. Carpet replacement can cost up to 6 times more than a repair, and effective cleaning and repair of carpet has been shown to produce a result that’s almost as good as new, while being much easier on your hip pocket.
When to Replace Carpet
If your carpet is very heavily worn and patchy, doesn’t have much life left and it’s over 10 years old, there’s probably not much hope of trying to repair it. Consult with a flooring expert to choose the best replacement for your needs and lifestyle. Carpet, tiles, stone and hardwood floors all offer something different, and choosing the right flooring for your needs is an investment in your home for the future.
Making smart decisions about repairing and replacing carpet and upholstery can help you to save time and money, while promoting a welcoming, attractive and safe home environment.