Get matched with top carpet stretching pros in Lansing, MI

The life span of carpet in a home with children and animals depends on factors like the carpet material’s quality, how frequently you clean and maintain it, and the level of foot traffic. On average, carpets need to be replaced every five to 15 years. Signs of wear, matting, or persistent odors may indicate that it's time to contact a local flooring company to replace your carpet.

In addition to having your carpets professionally cleaned, most carpet cleaners offer a range of supplemental services and treatments, including:

• Patching and repairing holes: $100–$250 per hole

• Carpet stretching to remove wrinkles: $60 per hour

• Water extraction: $450–$2,000, depending on square footage

• Pet stain and odor removal: $30–$50 per hour

• Furniture and upholstery cleaning: $50–$80 per item

• Furniture moving and removal: $10–$50 per item

• Padding replacement: $4–$7 per square foot

• Teflon treatment: $20–$40 per project

• Environmentally friendly carpet cleaning: $100–$200 per room

When deciding whether to repair or replace your carpet, consider its age, the extent of the damage, and its location. It's often best to replace the entire carpet if the damage is extensive, such as large sections needing replacement, or if it's caused by water, which can lead to mold problems. Similarly, if your carpet is nearing a decade old, replacement is likely the more logical choice. On the other hand, consider repairing your carpet if the damage is localized to one spot, like minor rips or snags, the carpet is still relatively new, or the damage is in a low-traffic area of your home.

While some carpet repair kits exist and only cost around $15, they are not usually appropriate for Berber repair. Typically, they include small pieces of fibers to use as patches, and Berber carpets are typically colored very differently from other kinds of carpets. This is why it is imperative to try and locate a spare piece of carpet from your original installation when you need to patch up an area.

In addition, the tools these kits include are often watered-down versions of the ones you can buy individually from your local hardware store (e.g., the glue in the kit will not be as strong as your hot glue gun or the double-sided carpet tape).