Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Flooring: What to Look For

Whether you live in the city of Commerce, CA, Santa Ana, or the surrounding areas, your flooring provides beauty, style, and comfort to your home. Unfortunately, you may encounter some important flooring replacement signs that could indicate it’s time for an upgrade. The experts at Hernandez Wholesale Flooring have some tips to show you the most common signs to look for that could mean you should consider having your flooring replaced.

Why Knowing the Signs of Flooring Damage Matters

Experiencing some minor flooring wear and tear over time is normal, but certain types of damage shouldn’t be ignored. Here’s why knowing the signs of flooring damage is so important:

• Prevents worse damage: Even small tile floor cracks or loose hardwood planks can turn into much larger problems that could make things worse, leading to water damage, warping, or pest infestations if the signs are ignored.

• Safety hazards: Damaged flooring can create a trip hazard that could result in injury, while an issue like exposed nails may pose a serious health and safety risk.

• Saves money: Identifying and addressing flooring damage early not only prevents the damage from getting worse, but it can also save you money by getting the issue repaired rather than paying for all new flooring.

• Maintains property value: Beautiful, well-maintained flooring supports a higher home resale value and makes your property attractive to potential buyers.

1. Visible Wear and Tear Across the Surface

The most obvious sign of flooring damage is visible wear and tear across the surface. This could consist of snags in your carpet, hardwood, or vinyl discoloration, or scratches on flooring finishes that expose the floors to potential water damage.

The decision about when to replace your flooring is ultimately up to you. However, if the visible damage or wear and tear is widespread and prominent, consider investing in new flooring to make your home look beautiful and clean again.

2. Cracks, Warping, or Buckling in the Material

Some of the most significant damaged hardwood floor signs include cracks, buckling, or warping of the material. This type of damage looks unattractive and poses a significant safety risk, especially if the hardwood planks are starting to rise from the subfloor.

It’s also important to note that hardwood floors can only handle sanding and refinishing so many times before you can’t finish them again. If you’ve already done this more than a few times, and if the nails or staples are starting to become exposed, it’s probably best to remove and replace the floors with something new.

3. Persistent Stains or Lingering Odors

Stains that won’t come out or lingering odors can make your flooring look and feel extremely unpleasant. Odors and stubborn stains are common indicators that it’s time for a worn carpet replacement.

Because carpeting is made of different fibers, it tends to hold onto moisture, spills, and smells much longer than hard surface flooring like luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, or tile. When the stains are stuck or the odors persist, it’s time to consider getting new flooring.

4. Water Damage or Moisture Issues

Dark spots, stains, and warping are all common signs of water-damaged flooring. However, these may also indicate a more serious moisture issue lurking under the surface that needs to be addressed.

Not only does water damage make your floors look dirty, but it can also erode the material over time and make the subfloor more vulnerable to even more extreme damage. A flooring replacement is recommended if the water damage is in several places or is obvious.

5. Increased Allergy Symptoms from Carpet or Padding

Carpet or padding accumulates dust, pet dander, and other allergens over time. If you notice an increase in allergy or respiratory-related symptoms, it’s a good idea to shop for new flooring.

When allergy symptoms persist even after cleaning your carpets, you may need flooring replacement. Replacing carpeting with hypoallergenic flooring like hardwood, tile, or vinyl can significantly reduce allergy symptoms.

6. Pet Damage That’s Beyond Repair

Our pets are part of the family, but their fur, paws, and claws can wreak havoc on flooring. Scratches on hard surface flooring and carpet snags or runs are common flooring issues in households with pets.

Look for obvious and widespread pet-damaged flooring signs like gouges and scratches that can’t be repaired. Once this damage is done, you’re better off replacing the flooring with something more durable and pet-resistant.

7. Flooring Age: Is It Past Its Prime?

The lifespan of flooring varies depending on several factors, including the type of material, how well it was installed, and how much foot (or paw) traffic it encounters over time. With proper maintenance, most hardwood floors should last between 25 and 100 years.

If you have vinyl flooring, it should last between 10 and 25 years, laminate between 15 and 25 years, carpet between five and 15 years, and tile should last 50 years or more with proper care. When your flooring has exceeded its average lifespan, you may want to upgrade to something new.

Repair or Replace? What to Consider

If you’re not sure whether to repair or replace your flooring, consider whether the damage is minor and repairable. If it’s not repairable or widespread, a replacement is a better choice. Severe damage not only affects the aesthetics of your home, but it can also pose a health and safety hazard. Old, stained, damaged, or worn-out flooring is often better when it’s replaced entirely.

Choose Hernandez Wholesale Flooring for Your Replacement Needs

Hernandez Wholesale Flooring is the expert resource for all types of flooring replacements. Visit one of our impressively stocked warehouses to find the perfect flooring for your Los Angeles area home. Since 1970, our family-owned and operated company has provided customers with industry expertise specializing in residential, commercial, and property management. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a free flooring replacement estimate, contact us today!