How Do I Know If My Floor Needs Replacing?
Flooring is one of the most used and overlooked parts of a home or business. Over time, wear and tear can impact safety, comfort, and style. A damaged wood floor or damaged laminate floor can present problems ranging from looking worn to being hazardous to walk on. When to replace flooring depends on the type and severity of the damage. This guide highlights the key signs it’s time to consider whether your floor needs replacing, and offers advice on the types of repairs required.
Visible Wear and Tear
Scratches, Dents, and Cracks
Wood, laminate, and vinyl often show visible surface damage from shoes, dropped items, pets’ claws or scraping furniture. This is cosmetic damage that affects the overall look of your space, but isn’t dangerous in itself.
Stains and Discolouration
Paint splatters can be sanded away, but some stains are more permanent and can’t be cleaned. Wine, oil, ink or mould can all stain wood and laminate flooring as well as linoleum and vinyl tiles.
Sunlight exposure and chemical cleaners can also cause colour changes and fading.
When to Replace Flooring with Wear and Tear
It’s not necessary to replace flooring if the damage is not structural. However, if you are hoping to sell the property soon, it might be wise to install new floors to improve the overall appearance of each space if they are looking tired. If cost is an issue, you can probably get away with buying a rug.
Structural Problems
Warping or Buckling
Moisture damage in wood and laminate flooring leads to warped and misshapen boards. Absorbing water can cause the layers of laminate to split apart and change at different rates. In a laminate floor, water damage looks like curving, uneven surfaces and gaps between planks. They may also swell if poorly sealed, change colour, or buckle.
On a hardwood floor, water damage looks like swollen, warped, stained or buckled boards.
Uneven, poorly sealed floors must be replaced for safety reasons, as any curved boards or gaps present trip hazards.
Loose or Broken Tiles/Planks
Poorly installed tiles and planks may become loose, shifting when people walk over them or creating gaps. Broken planks should be replaced, but individual repairs can be difficult or costly, especially with tongue-in-groove boards.
Comfort and Safety Concerns
Squeaky or Spongy Floors
Boards which squeak, dip or bounce when walked on are showing signs of an issue with the subfloor, such as a dip or cavity, or that the underlay is worn thin. This can be uncomfortable. Fixing this will involve removing the boards, filling in cavities in the subfloor or replacing the underlay and relaying the boards.
Allergens and Odours
Old flooring can trap dust, mould, and allergens, especially carpet. Flooring can also harbour lingering smells, even after deep cleaning. This can make life and work uncomfortable, and even unhealthy. It’s time to replace the flooring when these issues persist.
Outdated Style
Flooring That Dates Your Home
Old patterns, colours, or finishes make the space look tired. They may lack compatibility with modern interiors or furnishings and impact your perception of the space. New flooring can add a completely new dimension, refreshing the look of a room immediately.
Lowering Property Value
When viewing properties, potential buyers may see outdated flooring as a negative. As flooring is an investment, it is worth replacing flooring before sale, which can boost the value of the property and make it more appealing to viewers.
Frequent Maintenance and Repairs
Constantly patching, replacing, or repairing sections can be expensive. It is also a sign of underlying issues with the floor. Weigh up the cost of ongoing flooring repairs against a full upgrade to decide when to replace flooring.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Flooring
To sum up, replacing flooring can offer:
- Improved comfort and safety.
- Modern designs and materials for a fresh look.
- Enhanced durability and lower maintenance.
- Increased property value.
Flooring is more than just an aesthetic choice, and can affect safety, comfort, and resale value.
If you notice any of the above signs, it’s time to replace floor coverings.
