Clean it or replace it?
If the carpet is still firm underfoot and the backing is sound, a proper clean is usually worth trying first. Casebrook and Redwood, in the north of Christchurch near Papanui and Northwood, have plenty of established family homes and units, and some of the carpet in them has been down for a good while. Grey walkways, a dull lounge or a musty spare room often look much better after hot water extraction.
Cleaning won't fix everything, though. These are the signs a carpet may be past its best:
- Bald or crushed patches where the pile has worn right down.
- Seams lifting, or ripples that need re-stretching by a carpet layer.
- Fading from years of sun, which cleaning can't bring back.
- Pet urine that has soaked through to the underlay many times.
Send me a few photos and I'll tell you honestly whether I think a clean will make a real difference.
What can a deep clean do for tired carpet?
Quite a lot, when the problem is dirt rather than wear. I pre-spray the walkways and marks, then rinse and extract with hot water using a Hydramaster Boxxer 318 truck-mount. Where soiling is heavy I add CRB agitation to work the pre-spray into the pile. The pile is groomed afterwards and air movers help it dry. The full process is on my hot water extraction page, and carpet cleaning methods compared explains why I prefer it to lighter methods for this kind of job.
Old marks are a mixed bag. Some lift out completely, and some only lighten. I'll point out the ones I'm unsure about before I start. See stain treatment for more.
Selling, or getting a place ready for new tenants?
A clean is a simple way to make rooms look cared for in listing photos, and it gives you a fair picture of whether new carpet is really needed. Landlords between tenants can read my carpet care between tenancies guide.
What do I need for parking and water?
Somewhere to park the van near the front door and an outside tap. The hoses reach about 45 m, which covers most houses and units here. If you're in a back unit, tell me so I can check the van can get close enough on the shared drive without blocking the neighbours.
Nearby suburbs I also cover: Papanui and Bishopdale, Northwood and Belfast, St Albans and Strowan and Bryndwr, along with Northcote and the rest of Christchurch.
Frequently asked questions
Can cleaning fix flattened traffic lanes?
Grooming lifts the pile and removing the dirt brightens the colour, so walkways usually look much better. If the fibres themselves are worn down, cleaning can't rebuild them.
The carpet smells a bit musty. Will a clean help?
Often it does, because a lot of that smell comes from dirt and residue in the pile. If the cause is damp under the floor or in the underlay, a clean alone may not be enough, and I'll tell you what I find.
Can you tell me whether to replace my carpet?
I can give you my honest view from photos or a look on the day. For new carpet, quotes and fitting, a carpet retailer or layer is the right person.
Do you clean only the carpet, or rugs too?
Rugs too. I clean them on site, laid out on carpet, on a protected timber floor, or on the driveway or in the garage. See upholstery and rug cleaning.
About the author
Jin quotes and cleans every job himself, using a Hydramaster Boxxer 318 truck-mount hot water extraction system and wool-safe products that are safe around children and pets. J.S. Carpet Cleaning covers Christchurch, Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, West Melton, Kaiapoi and Rangiora, and carries $1M public liability insurance.
Not sure if your carpet is worth cleaning?
Text a few photos and your address to 027 612 2522. I'll give you a straight answer and a clear quote.