Love It Or List It Raises Good Questions About When To Get Rid Of Carpets

Carpets have experienced somewhat of a bad rep in the last couple of decades. Once the epitome of coziness and lushness, today, most people are getting rid of carpet flooring and are now in favor of wood floors. While some people still prefer to have them in their bedrooms to make the space feel more relaxing, or in kids' rooms to make it more comfortable to play in, it's no longer expected to cover your entire house with them. But if you do decide to install carpeting in places like the family room or bedroom, how long should you keep them before replacing them with a fresher version? The stars of "Love It Or List It" raise good questions about when to get rid of carpets in Season 17, Episode 9. Even though the homeowner thought the carpet looked in great shape after 20 years, designer Hilary Farr thought it was "disgusting."

While the homeowner probably thought her assessment was harsh, her reaction wasn't just based on aesthetics. If carpeting is regularly cleaned and carefully maintained, it has a shelf life of 10 years maximum. Anything past that, and the soft flooring begins to deteriorate and accumulate grime you can't reach and remove. Here is a closer look at why Farr decided to remove the carpeting from the home in the episode. 

Most people are used to buying houses covered in 30 year old carpeting, so it seems like that is how long the flooring is supposed to last. But in reality, you're supposed to be replacing it every 10 years if you want it to look nice and be sufficiently clean. In Season 17, homeowners Diane and Merl showed viewers what they liked and disliked in their house. One thing they couldn't agree on was the carpeting. "The living room has the original carpet that was put in when the house was built," Diane shared in the episode, explaining that she would like it removed. However, Merl had other thoughts. "It is old carpet, but it was very good quality carpet and it looks fine," he said.

They even had carpeting in their primary bathroom, which Merl also defended. "I like carpet. It's warm to your feet," he said. At that moment, you saw a little piece of Diane's soul die. But whether or not you like carpets isn't the point. If the couple agreed and wanted to keep it, Farr would still have to replace it with a fresh installation. That's because a well-maintained carpet lasts 10 years maximum, but one that isn't regularly vacuumed or shampooed only lasts five years. Even if you deep clean your carpet, debris, dead skin, hair, and pet hair eventually embeds itself into the underlay, making it impossible to remove. This will eventually breed bacteria and lead to dingy smells and an unappealing appearance, necessitating the need to replace it.

Since carpeting costs thousands of dollars to install, it's not surprising that people try to stretch it past the five or 10 year mark. However, leaving a dingy, dirty carpet does nothing for your home's appeal. "In my opinion, the floors and design you choose sets the stage for and are the linchpin of a great design," Hilary Farr explained in an Instagram post. Leaving dingy carpets in your living room or bedroom makes the entire place feel drab. But how do you know if it's time to rip up your carpets prior to the 10 year mark? There are certain telltale signs that will tell you it's time for a refresh.

The first is seeing obvious wear. If there are bald spots, color fading, permanent stains, or matting on walkways, then it's time to upgrade it. The second is a persistent smell. If there is a constant odor lingering, even after you shampoo wash the carpet, then that could mean that the smell has permeated to the carpet pad or even the subfloor. This will be impossible to remove and will require a new installation. Another telltale sign is increased allergies. If you or your family members are constantly sneezing or coughing, then that could be due to the dander or dust embedded deep in the carpet fibers.