Carpets are pretty essential when it comes to having a warm, safe and comfy office. With the British weather acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum in a supermarket, it's best to make sure you've covered all bases with both AC for the summer and carpet for the rest of the year.
Are you thinking it may be time to replace your commercial carpet, but aren't really sure? Are you wondering whether you can get a little more use out of it before the death knell tolls? Read on to learn the top 7 signs that time's up for your workplace carpet.
It can be difficult to spot the faults in your office carpet, especially when it's been around longer than you have. When you're seeing it day in, day out, it becomes a well-worn, familiar friend.
Still, however attached you might have grown to that carpet tile floor, it may be giving visitors the wrong impression, and affecting your business' reputation.
Signs of wear and tear include:
If your commercial carpet is showing one or more of these signs, it's likely you'll need a new one, pronto.
Carpet stains can be a major eyesore and reflect pretty badly on your business. Whether it's oil traipsed in from the mechanics' garage outside, bleach spilled by the office cleaner or a stray glass of wine from an office party, stains are part of working life.
But they can also be really difficult to get out, and multiple stains will look pretty awful. Oh, and be wary of do-it-yourself "hacks," like pouring white wine over red, or using red onions to scrub out the grease.
Most of the time, these home remedies make stains worse and cause other problems - like unwanted smells - in the meantime. No, when your carpet's stained, you're better off getting a new one and starting afresh.
Here in the UK we take health and safety pretty seriously, right? And with good reason. No business wants their employees or customers to be hurt at work, or be sued as a result.
Check your carpet over for rips, tears and slippery edges. Is your carpet loose underfoot? Are any of the tiles sliding, or curling at the corners? If you have any of these problems, call in the professionals and they may be able to repair some of the damage to your carpet.
Of course, if the damage has gone too far then yes, your carpet will need to be replaced, but it's a small price to pay versus an injury lawsuit.
Let's face it - after a few years, carpets can start to smell bad. Think wet dogs in an old pub with the sticky tables, bad. Okay, so we may be exaggerating a little, but if your office has started to smell funny or malodorous, it's time for a change.
There are a plethora of reasons why your carpet comes into contact with these smells, but the fabric absorbs them, and the odors stay. It could be anything from spilled milk, to cooking smells or damp, but if you've had your carpets cleaned and they still whiff, then it's high time you got a new one.
Okay, we've got nothing against your grandma, but you know those old photos from when your mum and dad were kids, with the sheepskin rugs and the orange wallpaper? If your carpet looks like it'd fit right in, then you need to put it out of its misery.
A good quality carpet is built to last, but sometimes it can outlive its beauty. If you want your business to look professional, modern and inviting, then a new carpet that reflects your ethos is what you want.
Cheap carpet is easy on the wallet at first, but that's about it. In fact, cheap carpets are a false economy as they wear out more quickly, often don't look too attractive, and the lack of underlay can give you foot fatigue.
A lack of padding basically leaves your floor feeling like hard tiles, and this can lead to problems like cramping, joint pain and backaches. To counter this, you should get a new office carpet, and make sure there's appropriate padding beneath it, so you and your colleagues can have happy feet through the working day.
Have you noticed you're sneezing more at work, or peoples' allergies seem to have gone into overdrive? If you have an air conditioning unit, make sure you get it cleaned and serviced regularly, as contaminated air will make people sick.
If you've checked out your AC and that's not the problem though, you may need to have a closer look at the carpet. Have you had leaks in the past, any flooding or damp? Even if these issues have been resolved, it could be you still have mold in your carpet or underlay.
Mold can adversely affect your health. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, so if your business is a doctor's office or care home, for example, mold could pose a serious problem.
Others who are affected are:
If you have mold growing in or under your carpet, then it's vital you get it changed right away.
A commercial carpet can make work-life better for so many reasons. Not only does it make your office or workplace look good, but it gives the room an extra layer of warmth, comfort and safety that hard floors don't.
If you've noticed your carpet has worn over time, acquired stains or smells like an unwashed armpit, you'll want to get it changed as soon as possible.
If your carpet's torn, curling or moldy though, it's a danger to others and needs to be repaired or replaced immediately. If you need to fix or replace your commercial carpet, contact us and see how we can help.
