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5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Carpet
Carpets do not generally have an expiration date. What is considered a lifetime will vary from room to room and how frequently that room is used. Family room carpeting may need to be professionally repaired or replaced more often than carpeting in a rarely-used dining room. However, there are signs that it’s time to say good-bye to your old carpeting.
The Carpet Looks a Little Threadbare
In heavily trafficked areas, like hallways and family rooms, you may notice the telltale sign of a carpet that needs to be replaced. If you see the carpet backing through the top of the carpeting, it is time to replace the carpet. Fraying along the edges of the carpet is another sign that it is time to start looking for new carpet.
The Carpet Fibres are Flattened
If you have vacuumed and combed and the fibres of your carpet are still lying flat, it’s time to replace your carpet. The materials that your carpet may be made of – polyester and olefin fibres – are more prone to matting, especially in high traffic areas.
If you are starting to notice ripples in your carpet, the carpet is stretched and warped. You may need to replace the carpeting, but call your local Toronto carpet stretching company to check it out first.
Do You Know How Old Your Carpet Is?
Carpets do not necessarily need to be replaced just because they are old. But if you can’t remember how old the carpeting is or if it came with your home when you moved in, it is probably time to replace the carpeting.
What’s That Smell?
If you have had your carpets professionally cleaned and still can’t get that odor out, it may be time to replace your carpet. Carpets are absorbent and trap dust, dander, debris, and allergens. Over time it becomes more difficult to remove all of the problem particles – even with professional cleaning.
The same rule applies to stains as well. If you have had your carpets professionally treated for stains and they still won’t come out, it may be time to replace your carpet.
When Your Carpet’s Color is Shifting
Carpet that is in high traffic areas or in areas that have a lot of natural lighting are more prone to fading. Spots of lighter color or a generally faded carpet may not be reason enough to replace your carpet, but if you are experiencing any other issues, you may want to consider replacing your carpet.
Do you always need to replace a carpet that shows these signs? Not always. Sometimes you can simply repair parts of carpet that are beyond their prime. To find out if it is time to replace your carpet or if you simply need a professional carpeting patching service, call Dr. Carpet at 647.800.5199 today!
5 Reasons Why You Should Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned
If you are like most people with carpeting in your home, you probably think that regular vacuuming and spot treating stains is enough to maintain your carpet. While vacuuming should be part of routine carpet maintenance, it is often not enough to thoroughly clean your carpets.
You may also be surprised to learn that many carpet warranties require regularly scheduled professional carpet cleanings. Still not convinced? Here are five more reasons to have your carpets cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning company.
1) Vacuuming isn’t enough. We already mentioned that vacuuming really isn’t enough to get your carpets thoroughly cleaned. Steam is the most effective method for lifting dust, allergens, pollen, pet dander, and other particles trapped in your carpet. Vacuuming can certainly put a dent in the accumulation in your carpet, but if you want to keep your home truly dust and allergen free, steam cleaning is the way to go.
2) You shouldn’t steam clean carpets yourself. Only steam can effectively lift all that dust and other fine particulate matter from your carpet. While there are non-professional versions of steam cleaners available they pale in comparison with professional-grade versions. Only a professional-grade machine can truly remove all the moisture that a thorough steam cleaning leaves.
3) Moisture can cause mold. When you don’t hire a professional carpet cleaning company, you may not be getting all of the moisture out of your carpets. The trapped moisture can lead to mold growth underneath your carpets and turn your home into an incubator for mold growth.
4) Professionals know what products to use on your carpet You wouldn’t bring your beloved pet to a mechanic for check-ups, and you shouldn’t use just any product on your carpet. Every carpet is different – from the fibres used to the pile – and requires different levels of care and the use of different products. Professional carpet cleaners have the experience and know-how to maintain your carpet.
5) Cleaning your carpet prolongs its life. We tend to take the flooring in our homes for granted. Leaving dust, dander, and allergens in your carpet can actually wear down the fibres and shorten the life of your carpet – requiring you to replace or repair it much sooner than you expected. Furthermore, if you weren’t having your carpets regularly professionally cleaned your warranty may no longer be valid.
You can keep your carpet for a lifetime if you keep it clean. Hiring your local Toronto carpet cleaning service for regular routine maintenance will keep your carpet clean, reduce allergens, and improve the air quality in your home. To find out more information about carpet cleaning services, carpet repairs, area rug cleaning, and other related services, please call Dr. Carpet at 647.800.5199 today!
Before You Remove Your Carpet: Carpet Can Actually Improve Allergy Symptoms
If you’re an allergy sufferer, have asthma, or have family members with these conditions, you have probably been advised to get rid of the carpet in your home. Carpet traps allergens and it was thought that these allergens would worsen allergy and asthma symptoms. It turns out that what we’ve been told may actually be the opposite of what is good for you.
Indoor Air Pollution
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollutants were two-to-five times greater than outdoor pollutants. Considering that Canadians spend about 90% of their time indoors, this can lead to serious exposure to pollution!
Carpeting Traps Airborne Allergens
A 2005 study done by the German Allergy and Asthma Society found that, contrary to popular belief, bare floors actually increase exposure to fine particulate matter that can exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms. The use of wall-to-wall carpeting actually reduced the exposure. The prevailing theory that carpeting holds allergens such as dust and dander is actually a good thing.
Bare floors don’t trap dust, dander, and other particulates and they are free to move around through the air. When the air is stirred by a breeze, people walking through the room, or a gust from an air vent, all of allergens get blown into the air where they are breathed in. Carpeting, on the other hand, traps allergens and does not release them into the air. The air quality in carpeted areas is actually better than in areas with bare floors.
The Sauerhoff Study
Another study, performed in 2008 by Dr. Mitchell W. Sauerhoff, Ph.D. DABT, concluded “based on the available science, carpet does not cause asthma or allergies and does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies symptoms. In fact, with respect to asthma and allergies, multiple studies have reported fewer allergy and asthma symptoms associated with carpet.”
Proper Maintenance is Key
Of course, you can’t just let your carpeting do all the hard work for you. In addition to regularly changing your home’s air filters and cleaning your upholstered furniture, proper carpet maintenance such as vacuuming and regular professional carpet cleaning, is key to removing trapped allergens.
Always Heed Your Physician’s Counsel
While studies have shown that carpeting can actually reduce allergy and asthma symptoms, it’s always the best to work with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for you and your family.
To find out more about professional carpet cleaning services, upholstery cleaning, and other related services, call Dr. Carpet at 647.800.5199 today.