Homeowners, landlords and even business owners will face this dilemma at some point – Do I re-carpet or just have the existing carpet professionally cleaned? Most carpets on the market today are designed to last anywhere from 10-20 years. If you experience any of the issues below, it’s probably time to invest in new carpet.
- Matted Appearance – when certain areas of your carpet (typically high-traffic areas) look flat and matted down, this means that the carpet fibers have lost their resiliency. Chances are a professional carpet cleaning will not greatly help the fibers go back to their upright position, especially with carpets that are made from polyester fibers. Carpets made from Nylon or Sorona® have a better chance of bouncing back, at least a little bit, after cleaning.
- Stains That Won’t Go Away – anti-stain treatments such as Scotchgard™ are only applied to the carpet surface and will eventually wash or wear off. Over time, stains will become difficult or impossible to remove – especially stains like tea, wine, or blood.
- Ripples – a worn carpet will start to show signs of rippling and wrinkling, especially in main walkways and on steps. This is the result of typical wear and tear from years of foot traffic. If ripples or wrinkles happen to appear after a new carpet installation, however, contact your installer right away.
- Mold or Mildew – stains like mold and mildew can be the result of water damage, humidity, or pet stains (such as urine or feces). Carpets that show signs of mold and mildew should be replaced immediately to avoid potential health hazards.

Another instance when it may be worth the investment to re-carpet your floors is if you’re getting ready to sell your home or business. Research shows that not only do sellers typically recover the carpeting cost, but they often make a profit from it. Remember, a buyer will usually choose a property that’s in move-in condition, not the one that needs updates like new carpet or paint.
So is it time for you to re-carpet? If so, visit our website to get some helpful carpet buying tips.