There are clear indications when your flooring has seen better days and needs replacing.
Here are some of the most popular types of flooring found in homes and some tips on what to look for when it might be time to update.
Carpeting
There are still many homes that have wall-to-wall carpeting. Many home builders these days opt for alternatives to carpet, but you might actually prefer the coziness and sound protection of this type of flooring in some spaces.
Carpeting doesn’t last forever – it can last anywhere from 5 and 15 years due to general wear and tear. Aside from it being time to update the look of your home, here are some other signs that it’s time to replace your carpeting.
The one time when you have no choice but to replace wall-to-wall carpeting is if it gets wet from flooding or develops a serious mold problem. Sure, carpeting can dry out, but the chances are high that mold will develop underneath and that will not only wreak havoc on your sub-floor, but will ultimately cause health issues for you and your family.
If the carpets in your home are coming close to needing replacement, the underpadding might be in a pretty bad state – it can actually disintegrate over time. If the carpet is old and hasn’t retained its plushness, it likely needs to be replaced.
Carpeting can be quite luxurious in the right space, but it might also cause allergies for some people. If you’re set on carpets and a family member is an allergy sufferer, it might be better to choose lower pile carpeting and shampoo it on a regular basis.
Tile Flooring
Ceramic and porcelain floor tiles are also popular in some homes, often in kitchens and bathrooms.
But when you start to spot cracks and the grouting looks dirty no matter how much you scrub it (mold might be the issue here), a new floor might be in the cards.
Other problems with tiles can include unevenness on the floor surface, noises when walked on and soft spots.
Or maybe you’ve just outgrown your current tiling and want a more elegant, modern look!
Vinyl Flooring
Many homes include vinyl flooring. This material is pretty durable and can handle heavy foot traffic. But, like any other material, it can also wear over time.
Although vinyl flooring is popular because of its water resistance, it can start peeling as the adhesive starts to fail over time. If you find yourself having to glue down parts of your vinyl flooring on an on-going basis, it may be time to put the glue away and call Home Install Experts™ for help in choosing a new floor.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
While luxury vinyl looks more luxurious, is more durable and is a lot more comfortable to stand and walk on than regular vinyl, because there are seams between tiles or planks, there’s more opportunity for water to seep in and, over time, can also cause the adhesive to fail.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring has become quite popular over the years, but there are a few things you should look for when deciding whether or not to replace yours.
If pieces of flooring are starting to curl up at the edges, or if there are gaps between the planks, it likely needs to be replaced. Water damage and broken planks are also reasons for replacement.
Laminate should feel sturdy when walked on. If it starts to feel like you’re on a trampoline, it’s time to replace your laminate floors.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is usually the ideal choice for flooring where appropriate because of its appearance, durability and value it adds to a home at resale. However, if you start to notice water damage, wood discoloration, creaking or moving floorboards, or if you see scratches, marks or nails, it’s probably time to replace your hardwood floors.