Getting Replacement Carpet

Carpet provides insulation, comfort, and style to any room. Though carpets can last for years when you carefully maintain them, sometimes carpets may need to be replaced due to age, stains, tears or other reasons — replacing carpets can be inevitable, like if your home experiences flooding.

Learn more about the subtle signs you need new carpets, long-lasting carpet brand options and tips to prolong the life of your carpets.

How Can You Tell When It's Time to Replace Your Carpets?

Carpet can last a long time if you make sure to maintain and clean it regularly. However, even high-quality carpet that has been well-cared for will still need to be replaced eventually. If you aren't dealing with obvious holes or severe damage, it can be hard to spot the subtle signs that you need a replacement.

Normal Wear and Tear

There's no way to completely stop your carpet from wearing down. Cleaning your carpets cannot undo the matting and crushed appearance of the fibers. It's also difficult and costly to repair large tears in your carpet, so you will need to replace the whole area. 

Age

If you've been stuck with the same old carpet that's been in your house for decades, then you should consider replacing it, even if there are no obvious signs of stains or holes. Over time, your carpet might lose its original coloring, have ripples or creases, or have matting issues. If your carpet is older than 15 years, then consider replacing it.

Mildew or Mold

Underneath your carpet is a padded mat. This mat works to insulate a room, provide a foundation for the carpet and cushion your feet. Sometimes spills can penetrate the carpet fibers and seep into the padded mat beneath, causing a lingering mold or mildew smell that won't go away even after cleaning the carpet. When this smell persists, it's probably best to consider replacing the carpet and padded mat. 

Stubborn Stains

Are you buying new rugs just to hide ugly stains on your carpet? Is your furniture arranged in a particular way in order to hide large splotches and discoloration? Carpet cleaning can do a lot of good work in getting rid of stubborn stains, but sometimes, even a professional cleaning service can't get rid of some odors and stains. When you're still left with stains after you've exhausted all of your cleaning efforts, it might be time to have the carpet replaced. 

How to Prepare for Carpet Replacement

Replacing carpet can be a time-consuming and intimidating home improvement project to take on, which is why it's best to work with a professional to help you through the process. If your carpets have seen better days and you want to find a new replacement, then there are a few things to know about as you go through the installation process. 

Getting Rid of Your Old Carpet

You'll need to get rid of your old carpet before you can install your new carpet. Installers will not lay new carpet on an old mat or pad, so it will need to be replaced as well. Carpet & Tile Mart can provide this service for an additional fee, saving you a lot of time and work, as you would need to find a way to dispose of the old materials.

Professional Consultation

You'll work with our staff on exact measurements for your space, as well as the product you would like to use. Trying to measure your space for carpet is not as straightforward as it sounds, especially when your space isn't a perfect square. We can send someone out to do the measurements of your space to ensure that your order uses the correct dimensions.

Estimates

Replacing carpet is an expensive purchase, and most people want to pick out the carpet that has the best value. Early on in the process, we should be able to give you a general estimate of the project. After a detailed consultation, including an in-person visit to your space to gather measurements, your salesperson will be able to give you a detailed breakdown of your bill. Deposits are required during this process. Extra services for additional fees can include the removal and disposal of your old carpet and pad, as well as professional furniture moving. 

Preparing for Installation

Our team will provide you with any basic instructions to perform before your installation. Typically, it's a good idea to make sure your space is well-ventilated. This construction project tends to kick up a lot of dust, allergens and bacteria, so make sure that your windows can be opened and shut, as well as any ventilation systems you have in your home are working properly. 

Remove all furniture from the room to make sure the space is completely free from obstruction. Our team can do this for you for an additional fee. After removing the old carpet, the subfloor beneath should be checked for damage — cracks, bumps and evenness — and repaired as necessary before new carpet is installed. 

Post Installation

Our installation professionals will leave your new carpet without ripples or bumps and fitting snugly against all walls. After the installers leave, follow any instructions given and move your furniture back in carefully.

If your previous carpet was firm and compact, and your replacement carpet is thick and plush, you'll need to check if your doors can swing shut. Post installation, if your doors can't close comfortably, then you'll have to have your doors trimmed. It's important to think ahead about this possibility and budget accordingly when choosing a replacement carpet. 

How Much Does a Carpet Replacement Cost?

The price of getting carpets replaced is calculated by square footage, so the total cost can vary greatly based on the type of new carpet desired and the size of the area. Our professionals will give you a general estimate for your project. 

You might take additional services and costs into account, such as paying our professionals to remove and dispose of your old carpet. Budget ahead of time for subfloor repairs or door trimming services to avoid unexpected costs. 

How Often Should You Replace Carpets?

Depending on its quality and how well it is maintained and cleaned, e recommend that carpets be replaced every 10 to 15 years. Consider carpets made of more durable materials that are designed to hold up longer, like wool or nylon. With proper maintenance and care, almost any carpet can look new for a long time.

What Carpet Will Last a Long Time?

Not all carpets provide the same kind of durability and longevity as others. If you have kids or pets or just want to keep your carpet looking nice for as long as possible, then you'll want to do some research on carpet fibers and styles. 

The best carpet replacement is the one that best suits your needs and lifestyle. There are a few factors that you should consider before picking out your carpet replacement. 

• What is your overall budget for this project? Consider if you want to pay for extra services, like carpet removal and furniture moving. Your budget will determine how much you can spend on the carpet and the pad. High-quality and stain-resistant carpet will add to the longevity and value of the purchase, so you won't need to replace it as soon. So it might be worth it to spend a bit more on this carpet replacement project in order to save money in the future.
• What room or space will the carpet replacement be going in? If the carpet is going to be in the living room or bedroom, then you might prefer a softer feel. However, if the carpet will be going in the entryway or hallway, then you might prefer a firm, easy-to-clean option.
• Will there be a lot of traffic on these carpet spaces? You'll want to choose a pile that is not easily crushed and resistant to footsteps.

Consider Mohawk SmartStrand Carpet

One of the best options for durability, resiliency and overall lifespan is the Mohawk SmartStrand carpet. These carpets have built-in stain resistance at a molecular level. 

Mohawk manufactures low-cut pile carpets that would work great for entryways, hallways and places where people might wear shoes. Plus, the dark color options will work well to hide stains and discoloration. 

You might prefer a soft, plush feel for the living room and bedroom, so Mohawk has you covered there, too. Mohawk carpets can hold up against foot traffic, spills and messes. The low-cut patterned pile is easy to clean. 

What Are Some Tips to Ensure Your Carpets Last Longer?

Carpets should be replaced every 10 to 15 years as they'll show signs of aging and wear. However, there are some proper maintenance and care tips to ensure your carpets continue to look nice and last for as long as possible.

• Vacuum often: If you have dogs or cats, you might want to consider vacuuming daily. Pet dander and hair can quickly collect on your carpet, affecting air quality and potentially causing allergies. You'll also get rid of any dirt or bacteria that can affect your family's health.
• Remove shoes: Shoes can track a lot of messes inside, like mud or dirt. To avoid these messes, try to get into the habit of removing shoes at the entryways of your home, so you don't track dirt inside.
• Clean up spills and messes: It's always best to tackle spills before they turn into stubborn stains that have steeped into your carpet fibers. Try to clean messes before they dry, as it can cause a lot more cleaning work later on when trying to get rid of the stain.
• Deep clean regularly: Hiring a professional carpet cleaning service or renting out your own carpet cleaning equipment is important to do yearly. Steam cleaning will be able to extract hard-to-reach dirt, bacteria, stains and odors, so you'll carpet will feel much fresher than what a simple vacuuming could accomplish.

Visit a Carpet & Tile Mart Store

Our professionals make getting carpet replaced easy. We have high-quality replacement carpet brands that will last in your home for a long time. From in-person measurements, consultation about carpet type and style and the installation process, you can be assured that your replacement carpet will look amazing and perform well.

Browse our selection of high-quality carpet replacements online or find a Carpet & Tile Mart location near you. You can fill out our contact form to get in touch with a representative.