When people begin to think about when to replace their carpeting they often consider the overall look first. Their carpet is starting to look worn, a bit aged, and is no longer as fashionable as it once was. Surely that's the best time to move on to something new, right?
If you feel that your carpet is hindering the aesthetic of your room, then absolutely it's time to invest in something you'll love, but it's not the only time you should. There are signs you need check for periodically that your carpet is ready to be replaced. If you don't, your family could start suffering from more than just an outdated room. Your carpet can affect their health too.
Watch for these tell-tale signals to know when you need to replace your carpeting:
1) Sneezing
Over time, carpeting can cling to allergens that may cause an allergic reaction to sensitive guests and family. If you notice someone sneezing or itching when they enter the room, take note. There's a good chance the symptoms could be caused by your beloved carpet.
2) Joint Pain
Walking or standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time can cause pain in your back, knees, legs, and ankles. These problems can be alleviated to a certain extent by choosing a nice, plush carpet with great padding over a hard surface like wood or tile. Unfortunately, the delightful cushion that carpeting offers wears down over time, leaving you with little more than an unsightly fuzz-covered floor. If you start to notice your joints aching after walking around in the carpeted areas of your home all day, it's time to switch things up.
3) An Unceasing Stench
Accidents happen, be they caused by animals or humans, and your carpet gets messy from time to time. That's normal. What's not normal is a lingering smell after you've deep-cleaned the area. If you continue to experience a stench after cleaning your carpet, take note of how long it lasts. It's not uncommon for liquid from spills and accidents to seep below your carpet and into the padding. Unfortunately, this can cause mold growth and ruin the padding altogether.
4) A Crunching Pad
As you're beginning to see, a lot of the issues you might be experiencing with your carpet begin with bad padding. Another way to know that your padding needs to be changed is a crunching sound when you walk on your carpet. This is a clear sign that the padding beneath your carpet is too old to be of any use to you or your carpet.
5) Poor Insullation
Have you noticed that your room gets colder or warmer than it should lately? Maybe the room seems noisier than it once did. This could be because your carpet or that infamous padding has become too worn to help with these everyday issues. Surely you don't want to see that heating and cooling bill go up! Pick a new carpet to avoid the issue.
6) Embarrassment
If you're embarrassed to have people see your carpet or if you try to hide it with some strategic decorating, it's time to change. Your home should be the place where you feel most comfortable, and beyond that you can't avoid having people come over. Treat yourself to a carpet that will make you proud to invite others into your home.
Happy Flooring!