Can You Repair Damaged Carpet? Or Is It Time To Replace?

As experts in the carpet field, we are often asked this question: can you repair damaged carpet, or is it time to replace it? It’s a difficult question to answer, though.  There are so many variables involved in making the decision to repair or replace. However, there are plenty of factors in support of both approaches.  So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of repairing and replacing damaged carpet. You may be surprised by what you find!

How badly damaged is your carpet?

Sometimes, repair simply isn’t possible

The first thing you need to ascertain before making your choice is the extent of the damage.  For example, if your carpet has only sustained some significant wear and tear in one area, repair should be relatively straightforward.  But, on the other hand, if your carpet is uniformly water-damaged as a result of flooding, repair simply won’t be an option.  Of course, those are the two most extreme ends of the spectrum, though.  Sometimes, you may be right on the cusp of repairability.  So what do you do then? Read on to find out more.

To what extent can damaged carpet actually be repaired?

Here’s what the experts say

Carpet repair is possible in a range of different ways. There are patch repairs, stain removal, steam cleaning, and other similar approaches.  But there’s no consistently effective way to repair damaged carpet fibres.  Generally, the best approach to correcting threadbare patches of carpet is with a patch repair.

Patch repairs essentially involve removing the damaged section of carpet and installing a new section of the same carpet.  It’s basically a smaller form of carpet replacement.  If the damage consists primarily of colour change, and the pile itself is unaffected, then stain removal or steam cleaning can be a great alternative.

What are the advantages of repairing damaged carpet?

Repairing is always an ideal approach, when possible.  It’s usually cheaper, as it doesn’t require the complete reinstallation of brand new carpet. But, perhaps even more importantly, it’s a way to get your money’s worth out of the carpet you’ve already invested in.  Carpet may not have the same lifespan as timber or tiles, but it lasts for a long time.  And if you can keep it going with minor repairs, your carpet will have been a good investment. Repairing damaged carpet also reduces waste, as well as the carbon footprint associated with producing, shipping, and installing new carpet.

What are the advantages of replacing damaged carpet?

As with anything, carpet repair has its limits. There are going to be times when it is simply not feasible to repair damaged carpet.  In those situations, replacement is an excellent option. It will restore your floors to brand-new condition, and it can even add value to your home.  But, in our view, the greatest advantage of carpet replacement is peace of mind. Once it’s been replaced, you can put carpet repair out of your mind for the foreseeable future.  What could be better than that?

Here’s why replacing damaged carpet is a good long-term decision

Overall, we think replacing damaged carpet is a good long-term decision.  At the end of the day, even the best repair jobs are not going to last forever. If you start repairing damaged carpet, you may find that damage simply arises elsewhere in your home.  If you continue to repair damage as it arises, you might find yourself with patchy carpet covering that lacks the consistency and sheen of new carpet.

In such situations, it’s possible that you’ll need to replace your carpet in any case.  And that would undermine all the time and expense of your previous carpet repairs.  The best thing you can do is get an expert to assess your damaged carpet, and present you will some options to solve it.

If you’re in need to replace your carpet on the Gold Coast, contact Ashmore Carpets today.