How Long Does Commercial Carpet Last?

What Is The Expected Lifespan for Your Commercial Carpet ?

Like all carpeting, the lifespan of a commercial carpet depends on how well it is cared for but in general, commercial carpeting has a much shorter lifespan than most other flooring materials.

Commercial carpets are now specifically designed and manufactured to fulfill the needs of business premises, they used to only last 8-10 years, but modern products are designed to last much longer,  anywhere from 10-15 years or even longer.

In general commercial carpets tend to last about  seven years for there lifespan and usefulness.

Every case is very different, however  and 2 main factors that influence the carpet’s life are  
The foot traffic the carpeting has been subjected to  and how well the carpet has been cared for.

The Main Factors taht Determine the Lifespan of a Commercial Carpet

How Much Foot Traffic Is the Carpeting Exposed To?

The Texture Appearance Retention Rating (TARR)  determines how well a carpet will retain its condition under different quantities of  foot traffic.
There are three TARR ratings: moderate, heavy, and severe. The higher the rating, the longer the carpet will last.

 A lower-rated carpet will not last long under severe foot traffic.Such a carpet should not be used for high traffic areas such as those corridors where all employees walk often and this is the general rule Use a higher TARR rated carpet for areas of high footfall and lower TARR rated carpet in areas that are used less often Eg the boardroom.
 To preserve the condition of a carpet it is necessary to choose the carpet that fits the expected foot traffic , or choose a  higher rating for a longer lifespan.

Was the Commercial Carpeting Professionally Installed?

Proper professional installation of carpets can increase the lifespan of your flooring and make it more durable commercial carpeting. It I always essential that you choose an experienced commercial carpet installer.
 Taking a DIY approach or other shortcuts during installation will result in improperly laid carpets and problems in the future. It will  cost you more in the long term than if you choose a professional installation right from the start.

Does Modern Manufacturing Produce Better Commercial Carpeting?

When selecting a carpet for a commercial facility, try to find carpets constructed from newer manufacturing processes and materials.
 Nylon carpet have a longer projected lifespan than a similar carpet made from polyester and olefin.
Nylon resists abrasion and is easier to clean. It will also resist moisture, thus making it resistant to mould and mildew, if there is a leak or if condensation occurs from large window areas. Solution-dyed nylon is the premium choice, this means that the  colour  is added during the fibre’s production rather than after production is finished. A solution-dyed carpet results in greater resistant to fading and staining.

The Use  of Padding or Underlay

Carpets receive wear from both the surface and  from underneath or below the carpet.  For this reason, a  layer of underlay or padding between carpet and floor will improve the life expectancy of a  commercial carpet. The cushion prevents the pile from heavy trampling and crushing. It will keep the carpet from being worn from the bottom by providing it with a slightly cushioned underneath layer. A carpet with padding or underlay is softer to walk on and will reduce the impact of a potential trip or fall. 

Wear and tear from pets and children can impact the condition and shorten the lifespan of carpets. Pets can scratch, tear and claw the carpet. A more robust carpet type is required for any carpet to be used for a play area or for pets because pets and children can reduce the lifespan of carpets.

The most common stains on a commercial carpet are from tea and coffee. Regular food and beverage spills that are not treated promptly, can  quickly damage the subflooring and cause carpeting to rot.  Food stains and spills that are left untreated can permanently colour the carpet and make removal impossible.  Spills and stains on a commercial carpet should be quickly cleaned up if at all possible
Regular, scheduled professional carpet cleaning is key to keeping your carpets in good condition.

How to Recognize a Worn Carpet

Instances could occur whereby the carpet may look all right  on the surface, but it may be rotting underneath. If there is constant leakage from a radiator or from condensation runoff on to the carpet over several months or years the carpet may be found to have rotted away and has to be replaced.
Obvious signs or wear are discolouration, especially in high traffic areas, food and drink staining at work stations and around the coffee machine or tea making areas, at entrances and where carpet has been ripped or damaged by moving heavy equipment or from dragging dirt machinery over the carpet. Worn or threadbare carpet is also impossible to remedy and the carpet has to be replaced in those areas.
A ripped or damaged carpet will obviously have to be replaced but , soiled  carpet  just needs professional cleaning.

 

How to tell if the carpet needs to be professionally cleaned?

 Signs that an office carpet needs to be professionally cleaned: 

Increase In Stains and Soiling On The Carpet

 Professional carpet cleaning by a reliable commercial carpet cleaner such as Deluxe Dry Carpet Cleaning service is capable of removing most common stains from the carpet. The professional cleaning will also restore the condition of the carpet and lift the pile. Another benefit of carpet cleaning is that odours are removed which will make the entire office smell fresh and clean.
if you have stains on the carpet which cannot be removed with professional cleaning, then it is time to replace the carpet. The majority of commercial carpets come with a finish that is designed to be resistant to stains.  However, over time , the treatment will  fade and wear off , and the carpet is left unprotected.
Deluxe Dry Carpet cleaners can apply a very effective stain protection treatment when the carpet cleaning is finished
 While professional carpet cleaning services can remove most stains, there are some which are impossible to remove. Stains caused by bleach, or curry sauce mustard are usually extremely difficult to remove
Anytime carpet stains are not promptly removed, they will become attached to the carpet fibres and may be difficult or impossible to remove later.

Carpet Underlay Issues

The carpet padding supports the carpet and makes it comfortable to walk on and protects the pile from being crushed underfoot. The padding, or underlay, underneath the carpet’s surface also keeps the room quiet and buffers noise. When the padding is old it becomes less able to bounce back and a cheap underlay will quickly show signs of wear in areas of high footfall Eg in corridors that are used all the time or at entrance areas. The carpet will start to look thinner and lower in such areas and more flat. Signs of old padding include wrinkles, unevenness, bumps, and thinned-out segments of the carpet. 

Allergies & Respiratory Problems 

As carpets get older, they retain and accumulate more dirt, debris, and pet dander. This is the natural function of a carpet but when the pile is full of dirt and allergens, no more can be held by the carpet and as a result the particles that are normally trapped in the carpet pile are circulated in the air of the workplace. Anyone with respiratory ailments, bronchitis or allergies may find that they are coughing and sneezing more often than usual, developing runny eyes and nose. The reason may well be that the carpet is no longer capable of trapping  dirt in the air and has to be professionally cleaned.

Older Commercial Carpets

It has been estimated that regular professional dry carpet cleaning can add about 8 years to the lifespan of a commercial carpet. Older carpet will still look attractive and spotless and function well if it is cleaned at regular intervals. Deluxe dry Carpet cleaning recommend commercial spaces to clean their carpets on average about every 6 months.

Eventually, all carpets reach the end of their useful life. At some point, it will need to be replaced.  Most commercial carpets have a life span of 20 years and  with good maintenance, you will only be able to extend its duration.

If the carpet is neglected and never cleaned it will have to be replaced well before its natural lifespan, after 5 years of neglect  you will definitely see signs of aging in a carpet, such as soiling, stains.  bald patches, thinning, matted fibers, fading, ripples, wrinkles, and dullness. At any of these stages, it is time to replace your carpet.

Deluxe Dry Carpet Cleaning For Your Commercial Carpet Maintenance

When you are choosing a new  commercial carpet or if you have recently had new carpet installed
contact Deluxe Dry Carpet Cleaning 0161 768 0208  to keep your carpet looking its best  for its entire lifespan.
 If you are considering replacing your carpet, consult with a professional first.
Perhaps your carpet is stained and soiled? You should contact Deluxe Dry Carpet Cleaning 0161 768 0208  and we can help you set up a regular cleaning schedule to keep your carpet and your office looking its best.