Professional carpet cleaners can make a big difference when it comes to extending the life of your carpet, but carpets don’t last forever. The time will come when your carpet will need to be replaced. The question is, when will you know?

Your Carpet is Frayed or Matted Down

If your carpet is damaged or matted down from years of heavy foot traffic, try having your carpet professionally cleaned and vacuum daily. Some polyester and nylon fibers are simply not as resilient as higher quality fibers and if they never really bounce back, it may be time to replace your carpet.

Your Carpet Has Buckles and Ripples

Buckles, wrinkles, and ripples along certain areas of your carpet most likely mean it needs to be re-stretched, not replaced. You definitely don’t want to ignore these ripples, because doing so may cause the carpet backing to permanently crease, and stepping on these creases will eventually cause irreparable damage, even after it’s been stretched back.

Is it the Carpet or the Padding?

Many of us don’t put much thought into what’s underneath the carpet, but padding can make a huge difference. If your carpet doesn’t feel as cushy as it once did, it may be because the padding underneath has already thinned out or is damaged. It may worth the trouble to replace the padding in order to lengthen the life of your carpet.

Mildew and Odors That Won’t Go Away

Spills, pet accidents, and damp environments (especially in basements and areas without air conditioning or ventilation) can cause bacteria to grow and mildew to settle into carpet fibers and padding – leaving you with unwanted smells and stains that simply refuse to go away. Professional carpet cleaning can usually get rid of strong odors and stubborn spots. However, sometimes severe problems like cats that have repeatedly urinated in the same carpeted area, permanent stains, or mildew that has settled for years can be nearly impossible to get out.

Your Carpet Just Doesn’t Look Good Anymore

The truth is, you should never be embarrassed about the look and smell of your carpet. Try having your carpet professionally cleaned before you have it replaced. You might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome and save a significant chunk of change in replacement costs.

This is one of a series of articles written and published  on behalf of surpHaces Partners.