Cleaned Out?

• One factor to consider when looking at replacing your carpet is whether or not the original can be cleaned. A good, professional cleaning can often breathe new life into old carpet and can then be treated with a stain repellent. You know that your carpet needs to be replaced when a thorough cleaning no longer does the job to remove stains or spots. In order to sufficiently test this theory, however, you should employ the services of a professional carpet cleaner as they have tools that surpass anything you can do on your own.
  
  

Grossed Out!

• Some very old carpets have a history you would probably rather not know about. If you live in a humid areas, have carpet that has been leaked on or have a history of pets in the home, you should be wary of mold spores underneath the carpet and the padding. Mold can form carpet and padding has been saturated and is not properly cleaned and dried. Apart from being "gross," it can also be unhealthy. Some mold you can see and some is only visible if you lift up both the carpet and the padding. One good indication as to the state of your carpet is if you find the bottoms of your feet getting dirty when you walk on it (as though you walked across an oily parking lot). Regular and even professional cleanings may not be enough to save a carpet full of mold, so if you have determined an infestation and your carpet is relatively old, it is best to replace it.
  
  

Worn Out

• All carpet is subject to wear high traffic areas (particularly long fiber styles) and the unfortunate news is that once it is worn down, there is no going back. The carpet itself is damaged if it shows signs of wear, but in most cases, the padding is worn out, too, by that point. Replacing just the carpet is pointless and will not improve the appearance by much. Additionally, rips, holes and burns are also most often a no-fix situation. If your carpet shows excessive signs of wear and tear, it often best to replace it with a high quality brand that may have a little more mileage on it. Aside from the comfort and aesthetics a new carpet brings, it is a plus to mention if you expect to sell your home in the near future.