Signs its time to update your flooring

Signs its time to update your flooring

Nothing lasts forever, not even your flooring. The average lifetime your floor will bring varies depending on the type of materials that you’ve chosen. On average, most homeowners can enjoy 20 years or more with their flooring.  However, many things can impact this time. When should you update the flooring in the home? Take it on a room by room basis or replace the flooring throughout the home when you notice signs that suggest that time has arrived. What are those signs? The following signs its time to update your flooring ​with the help of a professional.

Signs its time to update your flooring

Carpet tile

Carpet tile has the shortest lifespan of the many flooring types. But it’s also very easy to replace when the time comes. You can replace a tile or selection of tiles rather than the whole floor (like you would have to with wall-to-wall carpet). Stains that can’t be spot treated and any other visible damage from extensive wear and tear may indicate that it’s time to replace a carpet tile or more.

Laminate

While affordable, easy to install, and easy to clean, laminate flooring has to be replaced once it’s damaged. This is because laminate flooring can’t be refinished or sealed like other floor types it may resemble. Water damage in laminate is often indicated by warping, which can lead to cracking, splitting, buckling, and discolouration. Direct water damage can cause bubbling around the edges of the planks. Mould from water damage or trapped moisture beneath the laminate flooring can also cause issues. These could be all signs to replace your laminate flooring.

Vinyl tile

How long does vinyl flooring last? The answer depends on the type of vinyl flooring and the quality of installation. An upgrade from vinyl from decades past, LVT is thicker and more insulated than traditional vinyl flooring. LVT is also waterproof, dent and scratch-resistant, and easy to DIY install in tile form. It may have the appearance of wood, tile, or stone, but it cannot be refinished or sanded. While more resistant to common issues, LVT still has a breaking point. If it cracks or rips from moving heavy furniture or appliances, it will need to be replaced. If moisture happens to gather in the subfloor, then the LVT can come loose, so you’ll want to make sure the subfloor is dry before installing new tiles.

Tile

How long does tile flooring last? One of the most versatile floor types, tile is incredibly resilient, especially to water, with proper maintenance. This is a major perk over other flooring types, particularly when it comes to flooring for your bathroom. When it comes to replacing tile, usually you only need to replace the damaged tile(s) rather than the whole floor.

Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are susceptible to chipping and cracking when heavy items are dropped on them. If there’s a crack, you may want to replace the tile(s) to prevent leaking water from damaging the subfloor and causing further issues. Grout issues are among the most pervasive problems for tile that may call for replacement. As a very porous material, grout is not easy to maintain or clean, so it can be a hotspot for issues. If not properly and routinely sealed, grout can absorb moisture and grime, which can lead to stains, rotting, mould, or internal damage.

Wood

Wood is one of the better investments when it comes to flooring with a higher cost, but a higher return on investment in terms of style and longevity. It’s also easy to refinish with a stain or sealant as opposed to replacing the wood. However, it’s recommended to only refinish solid hardwood floors up to seven times. If you’ve already refinished your wood floor several times, then it may be time to update it. Wood can last for decades, however, it is less resistant to water than engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood floors can withstand a bit more moisture than solid wood. However, they can’t handle as many refinishing processes. Because of this, they shouldn’t be refinished as often.

Depending on the type of wood, your wood floor may be more prone to shrinking, expanding, or warping. If it’s a softer wood, it will be more prone to scratching and scuffing than harder wood varieties. Large scratches, gouges, or chips not only leave the wood vulnerable to water damage but may also warrant replacing the floor.

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