While the popularity of carpeting comes and goes in waves, it still accounts for 51% of the flooring in homes across the United States. While this flooring option is popular, it is not without fault. In fact, there are many forms of carpet damage you may deal with in your home. You may not know how to address this damage without the help of a professional.
Our team at TNT Cleaning wants you to understand the causes of the most common forms of carpet damage and how to address them best to ensure the longevity of your flooring. If you are dealing with carpet damage, continue reading to learn how to treat it.
1. Color Fading
Like many other dyed goods, your carpet is prone to fading and lightening over time. Many factors may contribute to this color fading; however, prolonged sun exposure is the most likely cause of this carpet damage. Many carpets lack UV resistance, which means any excessive or prolonged sun exposure may noticeably affect the color.
While this fading may not initially concern you, it becomes more apparent when rearranging furniture in rooms with faded carpet. The stark contrast between faded carpet and carpet that has been protected from the sun may make rearranging more difficult than you anticipated.
There are some ways to prevent this carpet damage from occurring, including keeping your blinds drawn to block sunlight. If you catch this problem early enough, you may be able to restore some of the colors through a saltwater treatment. Vacuum your floors, then spray them with salt water. Allow this to dry, and vacuum again to revive the color.
While this may work well on lightly faded floors, it might not work well on more significant fading. If you have tried a saltwater treatment and the fading persists, contact a professional for help. They can assess the damage and determine if it can be restored or if replacement is a better option.
2. Pet Damage
If you have pets running through your home, as much as you love them, they will cause some forms of carpet damage. While the damage they cause may not be substantial, it may be frustrating to handle over time. There are several ways that your pets may damage your carpet.
Damage caused by your pets includes damage from urine, staining from dirty paws, bunching from running, and tearing from sharp claws. For many, this damage is an inevitable part of owning pets. Thankfully, this damage may be addressed in many ways to repair your carpets to their former glory.
Some of these problems may be addressed immediately, including pet urine and staining. However, as this carpet damage is left unaddressed, making repairs may become much more difficult, and you may need to consult a professional for help.
Working with a professional from the start is best when dealing with damage from your pets, such as bunching and tearing. They may be able to stretch the bunched carpet back into its original position. With tears, they may be able to repair the hole, though if the damage is too substantial, they may recommend patching or replacing the carpet.
3. Snagging And Pulling
Carpet snagging occurs when your carpet’s fibers get caught in something, resulting in the loops in the carpet being pulled and loosened. Some snags start small, but this can become more substantial carpet damage. It can be caused by sharp objects catching on the loops in your carpet, including jewelry or pet claws. Additionally, aggressive vacuum cleaners and regular wear and tear may lead to snagging.
Carpet pulling occurs when the edges of your carpet begin to unravel and fray. This carpet damage can lead to a more tattered appearance if left unaddressed. While this may be caused by regular wear and tear, it may also be caused by poor installation, leaving the edge of the carpet improperly secured.
Snagged and frayed carpets are not beyond repair. In some minor cases, you may be able to snip any snags in the carpet to match the height of its surroundings. The same may be done with fraying. However, the problem becomes more difficult to address as the affected area grows.
If the fraying and pulling are more substantial, you may want to consider speaking with a professional about repair options. They may have access to treatments for this carpet damage, including anti-fray glue, or offer patching services to replace the damaged area with a perfect match.
4. Spills, Stains, And Water Damage
Spills and stains are an inevitable part of having carpet in your home and are definitely the most common form of carpet damage. Spilling things like coffee, wine, juices, and food can lead to some really difficult-to-handle stains. You may also deal with staining as a result of regular wear and tear on your carpet.
However, water damage is more likely to happen if you are experiencing a larger leak in your home. If left unaddressed, water damage beneath your carpet may cause more substantial problems. Mold may begin growing as soon as 24 hours after water exposure, so it is essential that it is addressed as soon as possible.
Many stains may be addressed immediately. If you dab these stains and clean them with vinegar, dish soap, or baking soda, you may be able to repair them immediately. However, set-in stains may be harder to get out on your own, and you should schedule a carpet cleaning with a professional to address these.
With more substantial water damage, you shouldn’t try to address this on your own. Instead, call a professional who can address the extent of the water damage and create a treatment plan to fully restore your carpets.
5. Burns
There are many ways that you may end up with burns on your carpet. Whether you accidentally left a hot iron on your floor or dropped a warm hair styling tool, warm temperatures can lead to substantial damage on your floors. If you have synthetic carpet, it is much more susceptible to heat damage and may melt or matte if exposed to excessive temperatures.
There is also the possibility of this heat leading to holes in the carpet. These holes may leave padding beneath the carpets exposed to everyday wear and tear. While your carpets are more resistant to this kind of traffic, the padding beneath is more fragile and can get damaged quickly as a result.
While you may worry that some burns are beyond repair, that is not the case. However, these problems can be difficult to address without the help of a professional, and it is in your best interest to reach out to one as soon as possible. Carpet cleaning professionals may be able to remove any ash or soot from your carpets.
If damage is too substantial, your carpet cleaning professional may recommend replacing small patches of carpet to match its surroundings. If there are several burns across the surface of your carpet, however, it may be a better investment to replace the entire room to treat all of the carpet damage at once.
Addressing Carpet Damage With TNT Cleaning
No matter what form of carpet damage you are experiencing, our team at TNT Cleaning is ready to help you through it all. With years of experience and happy customers, we are confident that we can restore your carpet and leave your home feeling cleaner than ever.
If you are interested in scheduling a carpet cleaning appointment with us or would like to speak to a member of our team, contact us today.