Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. This is particularly true when it comes to the various parts of your house. And while flooring is typically quite long-lasting, especially considering how often it gets used, there will eventually come a time when it needs to be replaced. So, when is it time to replace your floor? In this post, we’ll go over some of the more popular flooring types and describe the signs that indicate you might need to consider a replacement.
Carpet
A good quality, well-taken care of carpet should last 20 years or more. That said, carpets that are in high traffic areas or receive a lot of wear and tear might need to be replaced long before the 20 year mark. Carpets that become heavily stained are probably the most obviously in need of replacement – unless you’re willing to put up with the discolouration. Holes, tears, rips or other damage are also reasons for replacing the carpet. Sometimes carpets can become foul-smelling and the only way to rectify the situation is to tear them out and replace them.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors are prized for their good looks, solid underfoot feel and durability. Even if a hardwood floor becomes damaged, quite often it’s possible to refinish it or replace a few planks to get it back to new again. A good hardwood floor will usually last 25 years or more. That being said, eventually there will come a day when it’s time to replace even the most beautiful hardwood. Warped or cupped boards, sloping, excessive squeaking or deep scratches can all signal that it’s time to replace a hardwood floor.
Tile
A well-laid tile floor can last for generations. Often the reason that a tile floor has to be replaced is that the adhesive has begun to break down – not because of any problems with the tiles themselves. A broken or chipped tile might be able to be replaced singly with a little handiwork. However, when the adhesive that keeps the tiles attached to the subfloor begins to degenerate, it allows the tiles to shift, buckle and tent. When this starts happening it’s often best to replace the entire floor or you’ll ultimately spend the rest of your days replacing it section by section.
