Many homeowners enjoy the soft, warm feel of carpet. Carpet comes in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures that can fit nearly any décor. Carpet has also traditionally provided homeowners with a sense of comfort and ease after a hard day.

While you may enjoy the look and feel of carpet for a short time, you may not know what goes into maintaining that feeling over the years you own your home. You also may not be aware of the problems that carpet can pose to you and your family. Here are some of the issues that can make your carpet feel less like a comforting dream and more like a strenuous nightmare.

Stains

Regardless of the chemical treatments used to protect them from stains, most carpet fibers have naturally absorbent tendencies. When you use chemical cleaners to remove the stain, you also risk bleaching out the carpet’s original color. Also, most stains go all the way through the carpet fibers and into the backing. If you plan to entertain guests, or if you have children or pets, the chances that you will have unsightly carpet stains are practically inevitable.

Maintenance

You may believe that vacuuming and steam cleaning are all you need to keep your carpets clean and sanitary. What you may not know is that carpet fibers are highly effective at trapping small particles, such as dust and pet dander, that even the best cleaning machines have a difficult time in removing. Steam cleaning, when done improperly, can leave the fibers damp and susceptible to mold. When you have moldy carpets, you or your family could become ill from the spores. The only solution when this happens is to remove the carpet and start all over from the bare floors.

Off-gassing

Since most modern carpets are made from petroleum products, they can give off traces of toxic gasses, known as volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These VOCs, such as benzene and formaldehyde, are the same as those found around oil wells and gas pumps. When you have these toxic gasses in enclosed spaces, they can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation and sore throats.

Durability

A major issue you’ll encounter with carpet comes from its lack of durability. Your carpets can endure a lot of abuse, especially in high-traffic areas. The fibers become worn and frayed, the colors fade and the texture loses its flexibility. While your carpet may look and feel nice for a short time, and can be less expensive than more durable flooring materials, you end up paying more in the long run to have it removed, recycled and replaced.

For more answers to your flooring questions, visit the professionals at Direct Source Flooring. Our staff has a combined four decades of experience in floor sales, service and installation. We can guide your through the dozens of hardwood, vinyl tile and laminate floor samples in our warehouse.

Before you choose a floor for your next project, take the time to see us. Fill out the form on the right to set up an appointment today!