5 Telltale Signs It's Time to Replace Your Old Flooring

In this article, we’ll explore five indicators that your flooring has reached the end of its lifespan and needs replacing. We’ll also look at when to refinish versus completely replace floors. Let’s dive in!

1. Visible Damage Across Sections of Flooring

Extensive damage on your flooring surface is one of the most obvious clues it’s time for replacement. Certain types of flooring wear over years of use and exposure to elements, resulting in visible damage.

For hardwood floors, common types of damage include:

• Deep scratches, gouges and scrapes that penetrate the real wood surface
• Warping or cupping boards that are loose, uneven, or sticking up
• Stains that can’t be removed by refinishing
• Pet urine damage like discolored or softened wood flooring

With laminate or vinyl floors, look for:

• Chipped or delaminated boards where the surface is peeling off
• Cracked, loose or separating planks throughout the floor
• Discoloration from sun exposure or heat damage
• Bubbled areas from water damage and leaks or moisture issues

For tile floors, damage may include:

• Multiple cracked, chipped, or missing tiles
• Loose or insecure tiles that detach easily
• Grout lines that are significantly stained or have large gaps
• Discolored or worn tiles from heavy traffic over time

If the flawed areas are contained to just a few planks or tiles, you may be able to replace only those sections. But if the damage is widespread across the whole floor, full replacement is likely the better option.

2. Your Floors Have Become Impossible to Clean or Remove Stains

Another sign your flooring is too far gone? An abundance of stains or dirt buildup you simply can’t scrub away, no matter how hard you try.

When flooring becomes excessively stained from spills, pets, mud or other grime that penetrates deep into the material, it often reaches a point where no amount of cleaning will remove the blemishes.

If you’ve tried every stain remover and intensive cleaning method to no avail, it usually means your flooring has become too porous and damaged to be restored. At that point, replacement is the best solution.

Certain foot traffic patterns over time can also lead to ingrained dirt or grease stains that are impossible to remove. Another indicator it’s time for new flooring options.

3. Unsightly Gaps Have Formed Between Floor Planks

Gaps form between floor planks or tiles over years of use as materials expand and contract. At first the gaps may be minor, only noticeable in certain lighting or from certain angles.

But they can worsen with time. The wider planks and more prominent the gaps become, the clearer it is your floors need replacing.

With hardwood flooring gaps usually signify:

• Planks weren’t properly acclimatized before installation
• Constant changes in humidity and temperature levels
• Subfloor issues like moisture damage or rotting boards
• Normal expansion from general use over many years

For laminates, vinyl or tile, gapping can indicate:

• Improper installation or inadequate seam sealing
• Excess moisture causing the planks or tiles to swell
• Loose subfloors allowing planks to detach and separate
• Deteriorating grout lines

If the gaps between floor planks are very pronounced throughout the floor, it usually means the materials themselves have deteriorated or were compromised during initial installation. At that point replacement is the wiser option over refinishing.

4. Your Floors Look Dated Compared to Current Trends

While less dire than physical damage, an outdated or unappealing style can also indicate your floors are due for replacement.

Home design trends come and go, sometimes very quickly. What was popular 10 or even 5 years ago may now look dated and undesirable to homeowners or buyers.

If your flooring has any of these traits, its style has likely fallen out of favor:

• Very dark or very light faded woods
• Neon colored laminates or patterned vinyl
• Shiny or glossy tiles in bright hues
• Wall-to-wall carpeting in rooms beyond bedrooms
• Monochromatic tile with intricate mosaic motifs
• Low pile area rugs that easily show dirt and wear

Keep in mind, newer flooring will modernize the room’s whole aesthetic. Upgrading can help you achieve a contemporary, stylish space.

If budget or scope is limited, transition strips, area rugs, and furnishings in on-trend colors can also freshen up out-of-date floors to some degree.

But for the most dramatic impact, and to maximize your home’s resale appeal, complete flooring replacement may be your best bet.

5. Your Floors Are Uncomfortable to Walk On

This final sign is subjective, but an important one – if your floors feel unpleasant to walk across barefoot, it’s their cue to go.

Several factors can make floors uncomfortable or even painful underfoot:

Hardness: Old floors may feel uncomfortably hard and unforgiving. Newer materials and construction methods allow for more “give” and flexibility.

Unevenness: Over time, old floors can become uneven from shifting foundations, joist issues, or unstable or wet subfloors. The resulting hills and valleys make for awkward walking.

Slipperiness: Worn and shiny floors without traction can cause slips. Newer finishes offer textured coatings for better grip.

Creaking: Floorboards can become loose and creaky. New installation techniques minimize noises.

Coldness: Some old floors transmit cold easily. Newer materials and subfloors insulate better.

If walking on your floors has become a literal pain, replacement provides an opportunity to install more comfortable, ergonomic surfaces.

When to Refinish or Partially Replace Floors

If your floor damage is contained to a few isolated areas, refinishing or soft spot repair may be all that’s needed. Here’s how to decide:

Refinishing

This involves sanding floors down to remove top layers of worn stain or finish and applying new coats. Refinishing can refresh hardwood, laminate, or vinyl. It’s ideal when:

• Wear and damage is limited to traffic lanes or portions of the floor
• Floors just appear dull, cloudy or scratched overall
• You want to change stain color dramatically

Keep in mind, refinishing can’t fix structural damage or stains that penetrate below the finish. And floors can only be refinished a finite number of times before becoming too thin.

Spot Repair

For contained damage like a few cracked tiles, chipped planks, or heavy scratches, you can replace just those affected areas. This allows keeping the majority of flooring. It works best for minor damage that doesn’t affect overall structural issues and integrity.

Full Replacement

If damage is widespread across the entire floor, seams are failing, flooring materials are outdated, or walking comfort and safety are compromised, full floor replacement is likely the best solution.

Transform Your Home with New Floors from EasyStep Flooring

Once you’ve determined your floors should be replaced, the possibilities are endless for updating your home’s style! From elegant hardwood to affordable laminate and vinyl flooring to plush carpeting, today’s flooring types offer looks for every decor.

The team at EasyStep Flooring is here to help you select new floors and provide smooth installation from start to finish. Some key benefits:

• We offer a wide range of flooring styles and materials to suit every project budget and aesthetic.
• Our installers are thoroughly experienced professionals who take great care with your home.
• We handle the entire process - from measuring your space to procuring flooring to post-install cleanup.
• Our floors come with manufacturer warranties and guarantees up to 25 years.

Ready to stop putting up with outdated and damaged Hardwood floors?

Contact Easy Step Flooring today to request a quote for replacement flooring! 

Our friendly team is happy to help you choose new floors and get your project started.