How Often Does Flooring Need to be Replaced?
Our floors really take a beating! Over the years they endure the effects of pets, kids, parties, meals, furniture, and feet; sooo many feet! Considering how much our floors go through, it is a wonder that they don’t need to be replaced more often. Speaking of which, how often should we replace our floors? Depending on the type of floor you have, the answer will be drastically different. Below, we will walk through the most popular types of flooring and explain when it is time for them to be replaced!
Carpet: Lifespan 5-15 Years
- Matted or Frayed fibers: Especially in high-traffic areas, your carpeting fibers will slowly be worn out and flattened down. If your carpet is matted or has flat spots, then it is probably time to replace it.
- Water damage and Mold: Carpet padding acts like a sponge that absorbs and hold moisture that is protected from light. This creates an ideal environment for the growth of mold. If you Have had issues with large liquid spills or flooding and notice a musty smell, you may have mold in your padding. If this is the case, you should replace your carpet with something that can handle the moisture.
- Staining & Smells: Over time your carpet will collect stains and smells of all kinds, especially if you have pets. If the staining or smells cannot be removed by a local professional carpet cleaning company such as Koala T or Esteem Clean, then it is time for new carpet.
- Worn thin: If your carpet is so worn, you can see the backing on it, then you are well overdue for replacing it.
Traditional Hardwood Floors: Lifespan 30-80+ Years
- Significant damage: If your floor has been significantly damaged, it will need replacing. This damage can be cause by warping, water damage, as well as many other sources. If you are unsure if your floor needs replacing, be sure to consult with a trustworthy professional.
- Gapping: Gaps between the planks can develop over time due to floor movement. This movement can have a number of causes, but the most common is fluctuations in weather. Many times, small gaps can be fixed through refinishing but larger gaps will require replacement.
- Severe wear: If your hardwood sees heavy traffic, there will come a point where refinishing will not be enough. Be sure to consult with a trusted professional to determine if your floor can be refinished or not.
Laminate Floors: Lifespan 15-25 Years
Laminate floors have come a long way over the last 10 years. The majority of laminate floors now days will last 15-25 years before needing replacement. However, there are some things to look for when deciding when to replace your laminate flooring.
- Warping and Gapping: Laminate is designed to fit tightly to help maintain its water resistance. If you see gapping or warping, it is time to replace your floors.
- Scratches and Wear: Over time your floor will develop scratches and general wear. When you can see a noticeable difference between the wear on high-traffic areas and low-traffic areas, it is time to consider replacement options since laminate floors cannot be refinished.
- Cracks: Cracking and breaking are obvious signs you need a new floor. Cracking opens the flooring to potential water damage and will progressively worsen.
Tile Floors: Lifespan 30-50 Years
- Chipping & Cracking: Tile is made of stone or stone-like materials such as ceramic or porcelain. These materials are susceptible to chipping and cracking. However, because tile is laid one piece at a time, when a single tile is damaged it can be replaced if additional tiles are available.
- Grout Deterioration: Grout is the cementlike material used to affix tile to the ground and fill in the gaps between each piece. Over time, the vibration and wear from foot traffic will break the grout and create gaps. In this case, you may be able to repair broken grout, but eventually the whole floor will need to be replaced.
When looking at replacing any type of floor, be sure to consult with a flooring profession to make sure you get the right kind of floor to fit your needs. Getting low quality flooring or incorrect installation will lead to faster deterioration and more regular replacement which is very expensive. If you need help deciding what flooring will be best for your home, feel free to give us a call! We are more than happy to help you get the best floor to fit your needs.
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