How Often Should You Replace Carpet?

Carpet brings warmth and comfort to your home, but it doesn’t last forever. Whether you’ve just moved in or you’ve had the same carpet for over a decade, you might be wondering when it’s time to replace it. The truth is, the answer depends on a few things, like the type of carpet, how much foot traffic it sees, and how well it’s been cared for.

You don’t need to wait until your carpet looks worn and tired before thinking about replacing it. In fact, there are signs you can look for early on that help you plan ahead. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the average lifespan of carpet to how to spot when it’s time for a refresh.

Beare Flooring’s mobile flooring showroom makes it easy to explore new carpet options right from the comfort of your home. But first, let’s look at how long high-quality carpet usually lasts and what affects its durability.

Key Takeaways

• Most carpets last between 7 to 15 years, depending on material, traffic, and maintenance.

• Wool carpet is the most durable option, often outlasting synthetic alternatives like nylon and polyester.

• Signs your carpet needs replacing include stains that won’t come out, lingering smells, bald patches, water damage, or allergy flare-ups.

• Repairs can help in some cases, but if your carpet is worn across large areas or is affecting indoor air quality, replacement is usually better than continuing with carpet cleaning.

• In Australian rentals, carpets should generally be replaced every 7 to 10 years, or sooner if damaged or unhygienic.

• Aged carpet can impact the look, feel, and health of your home; replacing it can restore comfort and value.

What Is The Lifespan Of Carpet?

Every carpet has an expiry date, even if it’s looked after well. While some might hang in there for up to 15 years, others start to show their age after just 5 to 7. Knowing the average carpet lifespan helps you set realistic expectations and plan for updates before things get too worn out.

Factors That Affect Carpet Lifespan

Several things can influence how long your carpet lasts:

• Foot Traffic: Hallways, living rooms and stairs wear out faster than spare bedrooms.

• Material: Wool carpet lasts longer than synthetic fibres like nylon or polyester.

• Maintenance: Regular carpet cleaning is essential to prolong the life of your carpet and improve indoor air quality. Regular vacuuming and professional cleaning can stretch out a carpet’s life.

• Sun Exposure: UV rays can fade colours and weaken fibres over time.

• Pets and Kids: These factors often contribute to more frequent carpet stains and may necessitate earlier carpet replacement. Spills, stains, and claws all take a toll on the surface.

How Long Do Different Types Of Carpet Last?

• Wool Carpet: Up to 15 years or more when well maintained. It’s durable, naturally stain-resistant, and ideal for family homes.

• Nylon Carpet: This type of carpet is known for its durability, making it a popular choice for high-traffic areas. Typically lasts 10 to 12 years. It’s strong and handles high traffic well.

• Polyester Carpet: Around 5 to 10 years. It’s soft and budget-friendly but not as durable.

• Olefin (Polypropylene): About 3 to 7 years. It’s stain-resistant but breaks down faster in heavy-use areas.

How Often We Recommend Carpets Be Replaced

As a general rule, we recommend replacing your carpet every 7 to 10 years in an average home. If you’ve got pets, kids or high foot traffic, it might need changing sooner. And if your home’s carpet is pushing 15 years, it’s likely overdue for an update.

Want to see how your space could look with brand new carpet? Beare Flooring’s mobile showroom brings samples to your door so you can compare styles and colours in your own lighting and décor.

How To Know If Your Carpet Needs Replacing

Even if your carpet hasn’t reached the end of its expected lifespan, that doesn’t mean it’s still in good shape. Carpets that look tired, smell odd or feel uncomfortable underfoot might be trying to tell you something. Knowing what to look for can save you the hassle of living with worn flooring that affects the comfort and health of your home.

Here are the key signs it’s time to replace your carpet:

Stubborn Stains That Won’t Come Out

Accidents happen, especially in busy households. But if you’ve had your carpet professionally cleaned and stains still remain, or keep coming back, it might be time to consider replacement. Older carpet fibres tend to hold onto stains more stubbornly, especially from things like wine, pet urine or ink.

Smells That Linger After Cleaning

A freshly cleaned carpet should smell clean. If unpleasant odours hang around even after professional cleaning, the issue might run deeper than the surface. Smells from mould, mildew, pets or long-term spills can soak into the underlay and become impossible to fully remove.

Bald Patches Or Matting

Heavy traffic areas like hallways and stairs often start showing bald spots or flat, matted areas. Once the fibres are worn down or pulled out, there’s no repairing them. Not only do these spots look patchy, but they also wear out the underlay faster.

No Cushioning Left Underfoot

If your carpet feels hard, uneven or bouncy in places, it could mean the underlay has deteriorated. This layer adds comfort and insulation, so when it breaks down, you’ll notice the difference. Replacing just the carpet won’t help much if the cushioning underneath has had its day too.

Stays Damp Or Has Water Damage

Dampness is a big red flag. Whether from a leak, flood or spill, once water seeps deep into the carpet and underlay, it creates the perfect environment for mould to grow. If your carpet feels damp or shows signs of water damage, replacement is usually the safest option.

Allergy Flare-Ups Indoors

Old carpet can become a trap for dust, pollen, pet dander and other allergens, even with regular cleaning. If you or someone in your household is experiencing more allergy symptoms indoors, your carpet could be the culprit, especially if it has not undergone regular carpet cleaning.

Professional Cleaning Doesn’t Improve It

A deep clean should refresh your carpet. If yours still looks tired, smells musty or feels rough after cleaning, it might be past its best. That’s often a clear sign that no amount of upkeep or carpet cleaning will bring it back to life; carpet replacement may be the only solution.

Should You Consider Repairs Instead Of Replacement?

Not every carpet problem means a full replacement. In some cases, a repair might be enough to extend the life of your carpet, especially if the damage is small and contained. But there are limits to what repairs can achieve, and it’s important to weigh up cost, condition and results before deciding.

Here’s how to tell if a carpet repair is worth it, or if it’s time to replace.

When Carpet Repairs Make Sense

• Small Burns or Tears: A single cigarette burn, iron scorch or small tear in a low-traffic area can often be patched using offcuts or hidden carpet.

• Loose Edges or Seams: These can usually be re-tacked or re-joined by a professional, especially if the carpet is in otherwise good condition.

• Rippling or Buckling: These issues can often be resolved by proper carpet installation, but they may also indicate that it’s time to replace the carpet. If your carpet has waves or lumps, re-stretching might fix the issue, this usually happens from poor installation or high humidity, which can also affect the quality of the carpet.

• Minor Stains: For small, isolated stains, targeted spot cleaning or patching may restore appearance without replacing the whole room.

When Replacement Is The Better Option

• Widespread Wear: If your carpet shows signs of age across multiple rooms, fading, matting, or thinning, patching a few spots won’t fix the bigger problem.

• Health Concerns: Mould, lingering odours, or allergens embedded in older fibres can impact indoor air quality, making carpet cleaning and potential carpet replacement necessary. No repair can address these fully.

• Outdated Style: Even if your carpet is technically functional, an old pattern or colour can make your whole space feel dated. Upgrading can add value and comfort.

• Cost of Repairs: If repairs cost close to half the price of new carpet, it often makes more sense to start fresh.

Repairs can be a cost-effective short-term fix, especially if you’re not ready to commit to full replacement. But if your carpet has served you well for over a decade, new carpet will not only lift the look of your space, it can improve comfort and hygiene too.

Beare Flooring makes it simple to weigh up your options. Our mobile showroom brings samples directly to you, so you can see how different styles and fibres will suit your home’s lighting, furniture and layout.

How Often Should Carpet Be Replaced In A Rental In Australia?

Carpet in rental properties tends to wear out faster than in owner-occupied homes. That’s because tenants don’t usually treat flooring with the same level of care, and turnover between renters can lead to more consistent wear, stains, and cleaning challenges, particularly in high-traffic areas. In Australia, while there’s no strict rule on when landlords must replace carpet, there are best practices and expectations around safety, cleanliness, and habitability, particularly in high-traffic areas.

General Guideline For Rental Properties

As a rough guide, rental carpet should be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Some states may consider this timeframe when resolving disputes about fair wear and tear. However, the actual timing for carpet replacement depends on factors such as the quality of the carpet and the level of foot traffic.

• Property location and climate: Carpets in humid or coastal areas may break down quicker.

• Number of tenants: More occupants means more foot traffic and faster wear.

• Pets in the property: Pet-friendly rentals often need carpet replaced sooner due to stains, odours or damage from claws.

• Type and quality of carpet installed: These factors play a significant role in determining how often you may need to replace the carpet. Cheaper synthetic carpets may only last 5–7 years in a rental setting.

Fair Wear And Tear vs Damage

Landlords must account for fair wear and tear, which includes fading, flattening and general ageing. But if the carpet has been damaged, like from burns, stains, or pet mess, tenants might be responsible for part of the replacement cost. Still, it’s not reasonable to expect tenants to cover the full cost if the carpet is already near the end of its life.

When Landlords Should Replace Carpet

• If the carpet poses a health or safety risk (e.g. mould, frayed edges, trip hazards)

• If it’s stained or smells and cleaning no longer improves it

• If it’s If your carpet is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider a carpet replacement to ensure a healthy living environment. and looks visibly worn or outdated

Replacing carpet can also help attract better tenants and justify higher rental returns. A fresh, modern carpet creates a clean, welcoming feel that makes a big impact in inspections.

Looking to update carpet in your investment property? Beare Flooring offers a convenient mobile flooring showroom service, so you can choose new carpet without taking time off work or visiting multiple stores.

Thinking It Might Be Time to Replace Your Carpet?

Don’t wait until your flooring looks worn out or starts affecting the comfort of your home. Whether your carpet’s past its best, you’re dealing with stubborn stains, or it just doesn’t feel right underfoot anymore, Beare Flooring is here to help.

Our mobile flooring showroom brings a wide range of quality carpet samples straight to your door. You can see how different colours and textures look in your own lighting and alongside your furniture, no guesswork, no running around to different stores.

Our experienced team will guide you through the options, offer expert advice, and provide a free in-home measure and quote with no pressure and no obligation.

Book your free in-home consultation today and discover just how easy it is to upgrade your carpet with Beare Flooring.